Spinal Injuries: What You Need to Know & A Spine Injury Lawyer Guide

Spinal injuries can have a devastating impact on your life, often causing long-term pain, disability, and a significant reduction in quality of life overall. At Maurer Law, we understand the complexities of spinal injuries and the toll they can take on victims and their families.

If you or a loved one has suffered a spine injury due to an accident, a skilled spine injury lawyer can provide the guidance and support you need to secure the compensation you deserve. Our team at Maurer Law is here every step of the way to help you navigate the legal process, so you can feel confident that your rights are protected.

Common Causes of Spinal Injuries and When to Call a Spine Injury Lawyer

Spinal injuries are often the result of accidents, and in many cases, they occur due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness. Common reasons for spinal injuries that personal injury attorneys handle include:

• Car Accidents: High-speed crashes, rear-end collisions, and rollovers are frequent causes of spine injuries. The impact from a vehicle crash can cause serious damage to the spinal cord or surrounding structures.
• Slip and Fall Accidents: Falls from heights, slipping on wet surfaces, or tripping on uneven ground can lead to traumatic spinal injuries. These accidents are particularly common in public places, workplaces, or on private properties.
• Workplace Accidents: Certain occupations, especially those that involve manual labor or working at heights, can lead to spine injuries as well. Construction site accidents, machinery accidents, or lifting injuries are just a few examples.

If you or a loved one have experienced any of these types of accidents or believe someone else’s negligence caused your injury, a spine injury lawyer at Maurer Law can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation.

Types of Spinal Injuries

Spinal injuries can vary widely in terms of both severity and impact on your life. Some of the most common types include:

• Whiplash: “Whiplash” is a term often used by ER doctors to explain the initial neck pain experienced after a car accident or fall, and occurs when the head is suddenly forced forward and then backward or side to side, straining the neck and spine. While whiplash is often seen as a minor injury, it can lead to chronic pain and stiffness if left untreated. Furthermore, whiplash is often the initial diagnosis but further imaging studies, like an MRI, will actually show worse injuries, like a herniated disc and compressed nerves.
• Herniated Discs: A herniated disc occurs when the soft cushion between the vertebrae in the spine ruptures or slips out of place. This can compress the nearby nerves and cause significant pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs.
• Nerve Damage: Injuries to the spine can also affect the nerves that control movement and sensation throughout the body. Partial or full paralysis, loss of sensation, and chronic pain can result from this type of nerve damage.
• Fractured Vertebrae: A vertebral fracture happens when one or more of the bones in the spine either break or crack. Depending on the severity of the fracture, this type of injury can cause pain, mobility issues, and even long-term disability.
• Spinal Cord Injury (SCI): An SCI can be caused by trauma to the spinal cord itself and can also result in permanent paralysis or loss of bodily functions below the point of injury. This type of injury is life-changing and often requires extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

Each of these injuries requires specialized medical care and can result in significant financial and emotional burdens. A spine injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from these injuries.