The most common reason people go to the doctor and/or miss work is neck and back injuries. Injury to the neck and back can involve the muscle, ligaments, spine or other joints or tissues.

Improper posture, improper lifting or bending, and repeated small injuries are some forms back and neck injuries can take. However, the most traumatic back and neck injuries come from automobile accidents, slip and falls, occupational accidents, and other types of accidents.

You may be entitled to recover the cost of your medical treatment, lost income, and other damages if your back or neck injury happened during a car accident, a violent attack, or an accident in a public place or work environment. It would be wise to have a lawyer experienced in back and neck injury law review your case to advise the best course of action.

The back and neck are fairly complex and can be easy to damage in a traumatic event. Soft tissues can tear, discs can rupture, and damage or severing of the spinal cord can occur if the spine or head moves too quickly or abruptly. Some back and neck injuries are a mere nuisance. However, some back and neck injuries, especially those involving the spine, can result in debilitating pain or even paralysis.

Spinal cord injury, slipped/herniated discs, compression fractures, and whiplash are examples of severe back and neck injuries. Neck injury Acceleration-Deceleration Cervical injury, or whiplash, involves the muscles, tendons, disks and nerves of the neck. This can increase the chances of developing arthritis of the spine, causing chronic lifetime pain. X-rays an MRI, EMG, CT scan, and/or myelogram are usually ordered by a physician if nerve, disk or skeletal damage is suspected. Shooting pain, numbness, tingling, loss of balance or weakness in the arm or face are some signs of a serious injury to the neck.

A Back injury involves the tendons, muscles, disks and nerves surrounding the lumbar and thoracic areas of the spine. This type of injury can increase the likelihood of developing arthritis in the lower spine, causing chronic lifetime pain. X-ray, MRI, EMG, CT scans, and/or myelogram are usually ordered by a physician if nerve, disk or skeletal damage is suspected. Shooting pain into the legs and thighs, numbness, weakness in the legs and loss of bladder control are signs of moderate to serious injuries to the back.

Depending on the severity of the neck and back injury combined with the length of time required for recovery, enormous medical bills can ensue. The costs can add up quickly in the form of emergency treatment, medical examinations, surgeries, therapy, rehabilitation devices and prescription pain relievers.

In addition, losses may occur in the form of loss of income because neck and back injuries often limit or prohibit the individual to work. Medical bills piling up, loss of income and chronic pain can cause more problems, such as depression, psychological trauma and other harmful effects on quality of life.

If you have been involved in any type of accident resulting in neck or back injuries in Kansas or Missouri, please do not hesitate to contact our office for a free consultation and case evaluation.