Some of the most common yet debilitating injuries affect the back. From car crashes to slip and falls to workplace accidents, back injuries can impact nearly every aspect of your life. You may struggle to move without pain and might not be able to work as you once did or enjoy your favorite activities.
If another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct caused your back injury, you may be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim and seek compensation for your losses. Learn more about common types of back injuries, their treatments, and what to expect from the legal process.
Back Injuries: Types, Causes, and Treatments
Some of the most common types of back injuries can result from another party’s misconduct.
Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are soft tissue injuries. They are common causes of back pain. A strain is an injury to a tendon or muscle, while a sprain refers to the stretching or tearing of a ligament. Sudden twisting motions or heavy lifting can cause these injuries.
Sprains and strains can cause pain that worsens with movement, a limited range of motion, stiffness, and muscle cramping. To address these symptoms, doctors may recommend ice and heat therapy and over-the-counter medications.
Herniated Discs
Herniated discs occur when the soft inner gel pushes through a tear or weakened area in the outer layer of a spinal disc. The herniated material can put pressure on nearby nerves. Herniated discs can cause weakness, pain, numbness, and tingling in your arms or legs. Falls and collisions, including motorcycle and truck accidents, can cause these injuries.
The treatment of herniated discs may involve over-the-counter medications or prescription options like muscle relaxants to address the pain. Physical therapy could also be needed to improve your range of motion and strengthen your core. If symptoms persist despite nonsurgical treatment, surgery to relieve pressure on affected nerves may be considered.
Fractured Vertebrae
Your spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. These can break, just like any other bone in your body, and some fractures can cause significant pain, instability, or difficulty moving. Vertebral fractures can result from traumatic incidents such as high-speed collisions, although they can also occur when bones have been weakened by conditions such as osteoporosis.
Symptoms of a fractured vertebra can include sudden or gradual pain in your back or neck, muscle weakness or tingling, loss of height, and pain that worsens with movement. Many of these fractures can improve with nonsurgical treatment, but some could require surgery. Persistent and painful compression fractures may sometimes be treated with minimally invasive vertebroplasty.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal. It can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, leading to pain and weakness. Depending on where the narrowing occurs, you may experience heaviness in the legs when walking, numbness, tingling, or pain in the arms and neck, and even balance problems.
Herniated discs and spinal injuries can contribute to spinal stenosis, although age-related changes and arthritis are also common causes. Treatments for spinal stenosis include medications to relieve pain, along with injections to reduce inflammation and nerve-related pain. Physical therapy may be needed, too. In some instances, surgery could be necessary.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebra slips out of its normal position relative to the vertebra below it. It most often occurs in the lower back and can be the result of stress fractures, sports injuries, degeneration, or other spinal conditions.
This injury can cause lower back pain that worsens with walking or standing, back stiffness, and sciatica. Conservative treatments can include rest and taking anti-inflammatory medications. Physical therapy is another option, and some patients may benefit from a back brace. More invasive options for cases of severe nerve compression or symptoms that do not improve with nonsurgical treatment may include surgery.
How Can I Recover Compensation After a Back Injury in Fresno?
If you suffered a back injury because of another party’s misconduct, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim. In a negligence claim, you generally must prove that the other party owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and that their conduct caused your back injury.
Having an attorney can be helpful in these cases. You may not be sure how to collect evidence that presents a strong case, and it could be difficult to calculate all of your losses, including your future needs, without guidance.
Insurance companies may dispute liability, the severity of your injuries, or the value of your losses. A lawyer can handle negotiations and advocate for fair compensation on your behalf. Additionally, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer can pursue the claim in court when appropriate.
Contact the Fresno Back Injury Lawyers at Carter Law Group for a Free Consultation
A serious back injury can affect your ability to work, move comfortably, and enjoy your daily life. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, Carter Law Group can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for your losses.
Our Fresno personal injury lawyers bring decades of experience to injury claims involving car accidents, falls, and other preventable incidents. Contact us today at (559) 485-1212 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help with your back injury claim.
