Understanding Back Injuries and Their Impact on Victims
It was supposed to be a simple move. Harry and his fellow coworkers were on their last client of the day, who was moving across the street to their new home. In the original contract, there wasn’t any heavy furniture to move, as the client was an elderly couple moving to an assisted living facility. Their new apartment was completely furnished with the essentials, a couch, dresser, and bed. Because of this, the client had told them that the only thing they would be moving would be a few boxes of personal effects and mementos.
However, on arrival at the home, Harry soon realized that the couple had decided at the last minute that they also wanted their baby grand piano moved as well. The piano was heavy and the crew didn’t have a back support belt. Harry called his employer to see if he could get another coworker to drive by and drop some off, but his boss claimed they didn’t need it.
While they had been able to shift the piano, that night was wrought with pain. Harry had hurt his back during the move. Pain seared down his back through his leg and it felt like he was getting more and more stiff. For months he was unable to return to work, putting a huge financial strain on his family as they struggled with daily expenses and his mounting medical bills.
Harry approached his boss about getting compensation for his back injury but was met with a ton of resistance and legal jargon he didn’t understand. He knew he needed help but was unsure where to turn.
Dallas’s Trusted Back Injury Attorney
Since 1999, the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. has been faithfully serving individuals suffering from back injuries due to an accident caused by the negligence of another party. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients, ensuring that their recovery is made easier by being able to cover the cost of their medical expenses and damages. With a success rate of over 98%, it is no wonder why more and more people are turning to the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. after they have been injured in an accident.
What Are Common Causes of Back Injuries in Dallas, Texas?
Back injuries can occur due to a number of reasons, such as falls, heavy lifting, trauma from an accident, or repetitive motions. In Dallas, Texas, the most common accidents that lead to back injuries are as follows:
What Types of Back Injuries Are There?
There are a wide variety of back injuries. These include:
- Soft tissue injuries involve damage or tearing of the soft tissues in the back, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Herniated discs are the bulging or rupture of a spinal disc that places pressure on the nerve bundles of the spinal column.
- Fractured vertebrae occur because of trauma to the bones that make up the spine.
- Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of spaces where the nerve bundles branch off the spinal cord and exit the spinal column.
- Spondylolisthesis is a condition caused by a vertebra slipping out of alignment. The affected vertebrae lean on the vertebra below, compressing the nerve bundles in the spinal column.
- Sacroiliitis is the inflammation of the sacroiliac joints, where the spine and pelvis connect. This can be caused by sudden traumatic impacts, such as from a car accident.
- Spinal cord injury occurs due to damage to the bundle of nerves that travel down the spinal column’s length. Spinal cord injury can lead to paralysis.
What Are the Symptoms of a Back Injury?
Depending on the type and severity of back injury that has occurred, the symptoms will vary. The most common signs of back injuries are as follows:
- Pain or tenderness when moving, sneezing, coughing, or laughing
- Difficulty standing
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty bending over
- Muscle spasms
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Pain that radiates from the back down the buttocks and legs or shoots into the arms
- Severe pressure in the head, neck, or back
- Weakness or loss of coordination
- Changes in the ability to feel pressure or temperature
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- Difficulty breathing
What Kind of Treatment Is There for Back Injuries?
Treatment for a back injury will depend on the severity and type. Treatments can range from medications to physical therapy. Here is a quick overview of back injury treatment options:
- Pain relievers: In mild cases, over-the-counter pain relievers such as Aspirin or Tylenol can help alleviate pain. Some doctors may recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling and allow the areas to heal better.
- Heat and ice: In non-severe cases, applying heat can increase the blood flow and promote proper healing. Ice will relieve pain.
- Physical Therapy: In more severe cases, a healthcare professional may advise that physical therapy be used to aid in strengthening the muscles that support the back. Physical therapy can also aid in improving posture, mobility, and proper positioning.
- Injections: Injections can provide immediate pain relief and confirm the cause of your pain.
- Lifestyle changes: In minor cases, lifestyle changes such as exercising, eating a healthier diet, and getting enough sleep may be able to help ease back pain and promote better healing.
- Surgery: In worst cases, surgery may be needed to fix issues in the back, such as ruptured discs.
Why You Need a Back Injury Attorney in Dallas, Texas
Back injuries can be difficult to seek compensation for, as they are one of the injuries that don’t always show themselves when the accident first occurs. Adrenaline can mask the pain from a back injury, resulting in the victim going about their day as if nothing happened. In other cases, individuals may feel as if they can handle the pain at first, thinking it is just a muscular issue instead of something more serious, such as a herniated disc.
Because of this, the insurance companies and the defendant may try to argue that your back injury came after the accident or was a condition you had before the accident. Only an experienced back injury attorney can solidify your case and ensure that they cannot bully you into accepting a settlement that is less than you deserve.
How the Hernandez Law Group Advocates for Texas Back Injury Victims
The Hernandez Law Group, P.C. fights for the right of our clients to receive the compensation they deserve to cover medical expenses and damages. Our personal injury attorneys will guide you through the legal process and help you gather the evidence needed to show that your back injury was caused by the negligence of the defendant.
While you focus on your recovery, our attorneys will be:
- Determining the damages that the defendant owes to you
- Negotiating and filing your personal injury lawsuit
- Gather evidence during the discovery process to build a successful case
- Perform pretrial motions if needed
- Motion to exclude: Your attorney may ask that evidence that was gathered illegally or statements from unreliable witnesses be thrown out.
- Motion for change of venue: If your case has gathered too much publicity that puts your safety at risk, then our attorneys will ask that the trial be moved to another courtroom.
- Negotiate during mediation on your behalf
- Take your case to trial if need be
Who May be Held Liable for My Back Injury?
The individual who caused the accident that led to your injury may be held accountable for the financial and emotional consequences of their negligence. Examples of potential liable parties are as follows:
- The negligent driver
- The property owner who failed to fix a dangerous condition on their property
- The manufacturer of a defective product
- Your employer if they are found to be negligent
- A construction or oilfield contractor
What Evidence Is Needed to Prove My Back Injury and the Negligence of the Liable Party?
The evidence needed to show the negligence of the liable party will be dependent on what type of accident you were involved in. These pieces of evidence generally hold value for most accident cases:
- Police accident report
- Business incident report
- Maintenance records (if the accident was caused by a vehicle)
- Staffing records
- Accident scene photos and videos
- Surveillance camera footage
- Eyewitness testimony
- Medical records
- Expert witness testimony
Compensation for Back Injury Victims in Dallas
The defendant may owe you monetary compensation for the following damages if they were found to be negligent:
- Medical expenses, including current and future expenses
- Long-term disability care or support services
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Emotional trauma
- Reduced quality of life
Serving Dallas, Amarillo, and Abilene: Local Expertise with Statewide Reach
The Hernandez Law Group, P.C. has extensive experience in litigating and winning back injury cases. Our lawyers will handle your case from beginning to end, from filing your case to gathering evidence and bringing your case to a successful outcome. Schedule your free no-obligation consultation with one of our caring attorneys today.
FAQs: Common Questions About Back Injury Cases
If you have been involved in an accident that led to a back injury and it was the result of negligence from another party, you will need to take the following steps:
– Move yourself out of harm’s way, if you can. (This may mean moving a vehicle to the side of the road if your injury was caused by a car accident.)
– Contact the police to file a police report or report the accident to a supervisor if at work
– Take pictures of the accident site, if you can
– Gather contact information from the other party/parties involved
– Name
– Phone number
– Address
– Insurance information
– License plate number (if a car accident)
– Gather eyewitness testimony and contact information
– Seek out medical attention
– Contact a back injury attorney
The Texas statute of limitations on injury claims gives victims two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
Yes. If your back injury worsens over time due to the nature of your job or due to an accident, you may file a claim. This is referred to as the “eggshell skull rule,” which allows victims of an accident to seek compensation, even if they had a pre-existing vulnerability that was aggravated by the accident. However, the accident must have been the direct cause of the old injury worsening. You will need to have strong medical documentation and an expert witness to prove this.
Compensation is determined in a back injury case by considering economic damages (such as medical bills and lost wages) and non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering). It can also be based on the severity of the injury, the extent of medical treatment the victim must receive, and the injuries’ impact on their daily lives.
The Hernandez Law Group, P.C. makes a stand to fight for our client’s right to fair compensation after they have been injured in an accident. Our attorneys are resourceful and determined, meaning they do not quit until the job is done. Our team has years of experience in personal injury cases of all types and has aided thousands of satisfied clients. We have an over 98% success rate and have been rated Best Of the Bar. Our attorneys will always go above and beyond, ensuring that our clients obtain fair compensation and can close that horrible chapter of their lives.