Back Injuries

Back injuries are one of the most common medical problems suffered by people involved in a car accident, and even seemingly minor impacts can cause serious injuries. Back injuries can vary widely, both in their severity and how long they last. A back injury from a car accident can range from a moderate soreness that lasts for a few days to excruciating pain that is permanent.

Common Types Of Back Injuries

Depending on the nature of the incident, the types of back injuries that a victim can sustain vary, but generally are classified into which area of the back they involve: the cervical vertebrae (neck region), thoracic vertebrae (upper back region), or the lumbar vertebrae (lower back region).

Cervical Spine Injuries – the neck region of the spine is especially prone to injury from collision, and represents an overwhelming proportion of catastrophic sports injuries. These can also frequently occur as a result of car accidents, slipping and falling, or any situation where the neck experiences significant trauma.

Thoracic Spine Injuries – the upper back is the connecting point for the ribs and chest region, and injuries here are extremely serious and can often result in debilitating, permanent nerve damage.

Lumbar Spine Injuries – the lower back consists of the large muscles that provide stability to the spine. Injuries to the lumbar spine area can be exceptionally painful, particularly as these muscles are essential for standing and walking; they can also heavily impact a victim’s ability to function in their day-to-day lives.

Each area of the back is somewhat different, but the makeup of the three share some similarities. All sections of the spine are made up of vertebrae separated by discs that cushion their movement and held together by tendons, ligaments, and muscles, with various nerves running throughout. The vertebrae are of different sizes depending on the areas of the body they are designed to support and protect, and suffer different sorts of injuries accordingly.

Herniated Discs

Herniated discs are extremely common and can occur anywhere in the neck or back. This is also what is sometimes referred to as a ruptured disc. The discs in the spine cushion the vertebrae, and if a disc slips out of place it will often cause pressure on the spine and its associated nerves, causing excruciating pain. Severe cases can require surgical intervention to either remove part of the damaged disc, or remove the disc entirely and fuse the adjacent vertebrae together.

MEDTRONIC INFUSE BMP

INFUSE® rhBMP-2 is a “bone morphogenetic protein,” a genetically engineered version of a human protein designed to promote bone growth. INFUSE® was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 for anterior approach lumbar fusion, which is one specific type of spine surgery. INFUSE® has not been approved for use in other types of spine surgery, including lateral or posterior approach lumbar fusion surgeries, or cervical spine surgeries (neck surgery).

Patients must consent to the use of a medical device and be informed of all of its risks prior to performing the surgery Infuse complications include but not limited to:

• Cancer
• Male sterility
• Swelling of the neck and throat
• Chronic pain
• Nerve damage
• Excessive bone growth

Financial Issues

The long term costs of a back injury resulting from an automobile accident can be extremely high. Medical treatment, including potentially physical therapy and continued outpatient visits, can be required for an extended period of time after a serious back injury. Medical costs, lost wages, and in severe cases the loss of potential earning power can add up very quickly. It is important when handling a claim for a back injury that the victim’s attorney has an understanding of the future costs that their client may incur due to the long term nature of these injuries.

Speak With A Back Injury Attorney

If you have suffered a back injury due to the negligence of others, the medical background of Steven Green and the Green Law Group will assure you that all aspects of your future medical expenses will be taken into consideration during the litigation process so that you can focus on your recovery and not have to worry about overlooking something vital.

Contact our expert legal team, by telephone at (888) 264-3780 or by filling out the contact form on this page to discuss your potential case and discuss how best to proceed with your claim.