Compensation for Back Injuries Due to Accidents
Accidents can happen anywhere, even while performing simple errands or engaging in otherwise harmless daily activities. A chance slip and fall or being struck by or against an object may not hurt immediately, but the lasting ramifications could impact nearly every area of your life. Back injuries and chronic back pain are a common outcome of many types of accidents. These injuries can leave you facing heavy medical expenses and you unable to work or even enjoy hobbies and activities with friends and loved ones.
Types of Back Injuries and How They Occur
The back comprises more than just a collection of bones covering one or two specific areas. According to MedLine Plus, it contains an entire series of cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues, all of which intertwine and run from the base of the neck clear down through the spinal column. A single injury to any part or section can have a reverberating effect both throughout the back as well as in the hands, legs, and feet. Even minor damage can result in limited movement, back spasms, and chronic pain. Common types of back injuries include the following:
- Muscle and tendon strains and sprains
- Tears affecting ligaments and connective tissues
- Ruptured or herniated disks in the spinal cord
- Broken bones and fractured vertebrae
Uneven sidewalks, wet and slippery floors, poorly lit stairs, and cluttered aisles can all cause falls that result in the above injuries. Recreation and sporting events can also cause back injuries, as can being struck or hit by objects. In many cases, a back injury may be generally attributed as being accidental, even if it is actually the result of another’s reckless or negligent conduct.
For a free legal consultation, call 803-222-2222
Treatment for Your Back Injury and Pain
Any type of back injury is likely to restrict movement to some degree, requiring physical rehabilitation to help develop weakened muscles while requiring the use of different techniques to assist victims in coping with the pain. Your injury may result in temporary impairments that get better with time while always being vulnerable to re-injury, as well as disabilities of a more permanent nature, which can significantly affect your ability to work or even care for yourself.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), back injuries can be difficult to diagnose, but there are tests your doctor can conduct to help detect where the problem lies. Regardless of whether or not diagnostic testing works in your particular case, there are several methods your doctor may use in treating your injury. These include:
- The application of heat and ice to reduce swelling and pain
- Physical therapy and exercise to improve muscle tone and flexibility
- Pain management techniques, which may or may not include potentially addictive painkillers such as OxyContin
- Anti-inflammatory medication and injections of steroid directly to the injury site
- Numbing agents, applied topically or by injection to the affected area
- Surgical procedures to correct and repair damaged muscles and tissues
In addition to the above, there are a variety of types of alternative treatments which may offer some relief. These include chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture, and infrared laser techniques, as well as the use of herbal remedies and meditation for dealing with pain.
Contact a Charleston, SC Personal Injury Lawyer for Professional Assistance
If you or someone you care about has suffered injuries in an accident or due to someone’s reckless or negligent conduct, contact Anastopoulo Law Firm. Our experienced personal injury attorneys provide aggressive legal representation that can help you get the compensation you deserve for the damages you have suffered.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
