Miami Neck and Back Injury Lawyer: Sean M. Cleary

Neck and Back Injuries Following An Accident or Medical Malpractice

Injuries to the neck and back are often life-altering, requiring extensive medical treatment and sometimes surgical intervention. These injuries are particularly common in car accidents, where rear-end collisions and high-impact crashes can cause whiplash, disc herniation, and other serious injuries. In motor vehicle accidents, the forces involved can cause serious damage to the delicate structures of the spine, neck, and back, often resulting in long-term complications, chronic pain, and permanent impairments.

If you experience pain, numbness, or stiffness in your neck or back as a result of an accident or someone else's negligence, you should see a doctor immediately to avoid aggravating your condition. The next critical step after receiving medical attention is to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to evaluate your case and protect your rights while pursuing compensation for the economic and non-economic damages you have suffered.

Types of Neck and Back Injuries

Depending on the severity of the injury, a back or neck injury may require immediate surgical intervention to correct a structural problem. These are some of the most common types of injuries:

• Whiplash: A sudden jerk of the head causes damage to the muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues. Whiplash may heal without surgery in mild cases, but may need surgery in severe cases.
• Disc Herniation: If the soft cushions between vertebrae rupture or bulge, they can compress nearby nerves, causing severe pain, numbness, and weakness. Discectomy or microdiscectomy is a common surgical procedure used to treat herniated discs.
• Cervical and Lumbar Strains: These involve damage to the muscles and ligaments supporting the neck and lower back. Most strains can be healed with physical therapy and time.
• Vertebral Fractures: In high-impact accidents, vertebrae can be fractured, which requires immediate surgical stabilization to prevent further damage and to restore proper alignment to the spine.
• Nerve Damage: The nerves that control movement and sensation in the neck and back can be damaged as a result of injury to the neck or back, resulting in surgery to relieve pressure on the nerves.

Neck and Back Injury Cases We Handle and Investigate

Numerous accidents and situations can result in serious neck and back injuries. Possible causes for these injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents, such as those involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Back injuries caused by rear-end collisions are particularly common, while high-impact collisions can result in severe back injuries. People who suffer injuries often cannot return to work, making lost wages during recovery a crucial component of their claims.
• Defective products that do not provide the intended level of protection. A defective car seat, medical device, or safety device can cause catastrophic neck and back injuries in an accident. Those injured by a defective product may have the right to file a product liability lawsuit.
• Slip, trip, and fall accidents occur as a result of unsafe property conditions. Falling on stairs, wet floors, or uneven surfaces can cause severe neck and back injuries in older adults. A property owner's negligence can result in serious injuries.
• Workplace accidents, especially in industries that demand physical exertion, such as construction and manufacturing. Neck and back injuries can be caused by falling from heights, being struck by objects, or repetitive stress.
• Medical malpractice involving improper treatment of existing neck and back conditions. Surgical errors, failure to diagnose serious conditions, and improper post-operative care can all result in additional injuries.
• Acts of violence, such as assaults and battery, can cause traumatic neck and back injuries that require immediate surgical intervention and long-term rehabilitation.

Compensation That Can Be Recovered After Sustaining Neck and Back Injuries

Those who have suffered neck and back injuries as a result of another party's negligence are legally entitled to compensation. It is common for these injuries to require extensive medical treatment, including surgery, sometimes resulting in chronic pain or permanent disabilities. We will compile all the evidence you need to establish liability in your case. After that, we will carefully document all of your damages to ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation. If you have suffered a loss due to another party's negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our lawyer can help you recover compensation for expenses and losses such as:

• Past, present, and future medical bills
• Ongoing medical treatment
• Physical therapy
• Psychological counseling
• Rehabilitation costs
• Disability
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Mental distress
• Permanent disfigurement
• Lost enjoyment of life
• Modifications to your home or vehicle
• Housekeeping and home maintenance
• Attendant care
• Special equipment

Neck and back injuries often require long recovery times, and in some cases, these types of injuries may never fully heal, which is why your compensation needs to include all costs incurred as a result of the accident. Insurance companies may minimize these injuries to avoid paying out a fair settlement, but we are here to fight for your rights and to ensure that your losses are fully and fairly compensated.

Neck and Back Injury Surgeries and Potential Complications

In the event of a severe neck or back injury, surgery is often required to relieve pain and restore function. Some of the most common procedures are:

• Spinal Fusion: Bone grafts or hardware such as screws and rods are used to join damaged vertebrae permanently.
• Discectomy and Microdiscectomy: This procedure relieves nerve tension and pain by removing herniated disc material.
• Laminectomy: This surgery relieves pressure on compressed nerves by removing part of the vertebra.
• Fracture Stabilization: Surgery may involve placing plates, screws, and rods to restore alignment and stabilize fractured vertebrae.

Recovery from these procedures can take a long time and may require physical therapy, rehabilitation, or pain management strategies for the rest of one's life. If complications such as infection, nerve damage, or failed fusion occur, additional surgeries may be needed.

Surgeries and potential complications can result in long recovery periods and rising healthcare bills. If someone else's negligence caused all your physical and emotional suffering, you should not bear this alone. Personal injury attorney Sean M. Cleary will fight to ensure your compensation covers medical bills, lost income, and every other aspect of your claim.