Some of the most debilitating injuries you can sustain in an accident are back injuries. Even minor back injuries could leave you with significant pain, mobility issues, and medical bills that you’re not sure how to address. If another party is responsible for your injuries, one of the options you may have is to begin a personal injury claim against them.
These legal processes are complex, especially when you’re dealing with injuries that could translate into significant damages. Learn more about the types of back injuries you can suffer and what your legal options are.
Most Frequent Types of Back Injuries
From soft tissue issues to catastrophic injuries like spinal trauma, there is a wide spectrum of back injuries that you can experience as a result of accidents or intentional acts.
Strains and Sprains
In everything from car accidents to falls, you can overstretch muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your back. These injuries can also occur if you perform repetitive movements at work or frequently lift heavy items. Although these injuries typically heal with rest, some people can continue experiencing pain and stiffness for the rest of their lives.
Herniated Discs
Your spine is made up of vertebrae that are stacked on top of each other. There are discs in between the vertebrae to prevent the bones from rubbing together. These discs have a gel-like center that cushions the bones. If that center protrudes, as can occur if your back experiences trauma, it can press on nerves, causing pain and numbness.
Herniated discs can be treated with medications, such as painkillers and muscle relaxers. You may also need to undergo physical therapy.
Fractured Vertebrae
As with any other bone, you can fracture your vertebrae. This injury is not only painful, but it could also hurt your spinal cord. Pieces of bone could cut into nerves, leaving you with loss of sensation or issues with mobility. If these fractures are not properly addressed, they can lead to posture problems or chronic back pain.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis occurs when one of your vertebrae slips out of place. It can put a significant amount of pressure on the entire spine, making standing and walking difficult and painful. Treating this problem may require surgical intervention, resulting in a lengthy recovery process.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Your spinal cord is part of your central nervous system. It’s made up of nerves and nerve fibers. If any section of the cord is damaged, the consequences can be catastrophic. Spinal cord injuries can result in complete or incomplete paralysis, which is often permanent. These life-altering injuries are some of the most severe you can experience.
Common Causes of Back Injuries
Back injuries happen in many ways, and leading causes include:
- Motor vehicle crashes (rear-end, side-impact, rollovers)
- Falls (slip/trip on hazards, falls from heights)
- Lifting/overexertion and sudden twisting movements
- Repetitive strain from work tasks or sports
- Sports/recreation collisions and tackles
- Violence/assaults and other high-force impacts
- Workplace risks (awkward postures, vibration, unsafe equipment)
Knowing the cause helps identify liable parties and the best path to compensation.
How to Pursue Compensation After a Back Injury
Here’s what you must prove to pursue compensation after a back injury caused by someone else’s misconduct:
- Duty of care: The other party owed you a legal duty (e.g., a store must keep aisles reasonably safe).
- Breach: They failed to meet that duty (for example, no warning sign and no cleanup after a spill).
- Causation: Their breach directly led to your injury (the slick floor caused your fall and back injury).
- Damages: You suffered losses (medical bills, therapy, medications, lost income, pain and suffering).
Documenting each element with records and evidence strengthens your claim.
In a back-injury case, you can seek economic damages (ER visits, imaging, surgery, rehab/physical therapy, medications, assistive devices, travel for care, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium).
Save bills, pay stubs, and doctor notes—these documents help prove the value of your losses.
Contact the Savannah Personal Injury Lawyers at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you suffered a back injury because of another party’s negligent conduct, the very next step after getting medical care is to hire an attorney. There can be a lot at stake in instances that involve severe injuries, so you should not pursue these claims alone.
At Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers, we provide the guidance you need to obtain fair compensation after an accident. We have been working in the Savannah area for decades and know just how to tackle even the most complex of cases. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you never have to pay anything up front.
If you’ve been hurt, there’s no time to waste. Contact our Savannah personal injury attorneys or call (912) 335-1909 for a free consultation.
