San Diego Back Injury Attorney

Though back injuries are among the most common medical complaints in the US, these injuries cannot be taken for granted. They can greatly interfere with a person’s work and daily activities, and they’re more expensive than most people think. According to the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University, back pains are the sixth most costly condition in the US due to the necessary medical costs and indirect expenses.

If you or your loved one has suffered a back injury due to someone else’s actions, it’s important to claim the compensation you need and deserve. In the San Diego area, get the help of Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers. Our experienced injury attorneys have earned top ratings for their successful handling of claims for injured Californians. Consult with the Hamparyan Lawyers for free. Call us today.

Types of Back Injuries

An injury to the back can affect the spine, the neck, the shoulders, and other tissues in the general back area. Examples of these injuries are:

• Fractures – In car accidents, a common type of spinal fracture is called a “chance fracture.” It’s when the stacked bones of the spine, called the vertebrae, are pulled apart due to the violent forward flex of the body.
• Dislocation/Misalignment – Bones on the shoulder or on the spine can be misaligned by violent impact. When spinal dislocation occurs, the connecting ligaments are overstretched or torn, and the vertebrae can lock over each other, causing pain.
• Herniated disc/Slipped disc/Ruptured disc – In between the bones of the spine are small jelly-like cushions called vertebral discs. If a disc is ruptured (herniated) or has slipped out, the bones may press against surrounding nerves, causing severe pain and sometimes, paralysis.
• Sciatica – This is a painful injury on the sciatic nerve, an important nerve that runs from the spinal cord down to both legs. Sciatica, or sciatic nerve injury, can occur after a blow to the lower back.
• Whiplash – “Whiplash” refers to the rapid back-and-forth motion of the neck, most commonly in high-speed car collisions. This violent motion can strain the muscles and ligaments in the neck, back, or shoulders, causing pain and soreness.
• Spinal cord injury – The spinal cord is one of the most important parts of the body as it relays messages from the brain to other body parts. When the spinal cord is damaged, it can lead to paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia) and loss of organ control (such as in the bladder and bowels).

Symptoms of back injury may be felt immediately, such as back pain and motion difficulties. However, some cases have delayed or vague symptoms. For example, the injured person may notice some pressure around the spinal column or some loss of sensation in the limbs. Though these seem negligible, they could indicate a serious injury to the spine or back.

It’s paramount to get professional medical attention if you’ve been in an accident and start noticing back injury symptoms. A doctor’s evaluation can lead to crucial treatment and can also bolster your compensation claim later on.

Causes of Back Injury

A blow to the back is the most common cause of back injuries. This trauma can occur in various situations such as:

• Vehicle accidents (e.g. car crashes, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, and the like)
• Falls, slipping, or tripping
• Sports accidents
• Boating accidents
• Acts of violence.

Even if you aren’t sure how your accident occurred or who caused it, you’ll want to consult with a personal injury lawyer to see if you have a case. An experienced lawyer can assess your legal options, the value of your case, and your best next steps. You can consult for free with the Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers, so you get excellent legal advice without risking any money.

The Cost of a Back Injury

Whether it’s chronic pain, movement problems, or paralysis, a back injury can incur a mountain of expenses. Injured individuals often have to undergo several diagnostic tests, plenty of medication, and even a surgical procedure to correct the problem. Sometimes, multiple surgeries are necessary, with therapy or rehabilitation afterwards. On top of these medical costs, the person has to miss work and may lose some ability to earn in the future.

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports these statistics, offering a glimpse of the financial burden that a back injury can cause:

• As of 2020, the average lifetime cost for each person with high tetraplegia is between $2.8 million and $5.1 million, depending on their age when they were injured.
• For paraplegia, the average lifetime cost per person ranges from $1.6 million to $2.5 million.
• Other spine injuries with some level of motor function can incur a lifetime cost between $1.2 million and $1.7 million.
• Among survivors of spinal cord injuries, only 18 percent are employed in the year after their injury. At 40 years post-injury, only 32 percent get employment.
• Some 30 percent of people with spinal cord injuries get re-hospitalized within a year of getting injured.

It’s worth noting that financial costs aren’t the only losses that the injured have to suffer. A back injury can also impact their lifestyle, relationships, and mental or emotional wellness.

In California, an injured individual may receive compensation for economic losses such as hospital bills, treatment costs, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. Additionally, they may be able to claim for non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.

We maximize this at Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers. When we represent a client, we don’t just sum up medical bills and send it to the insurance company. We look at the various aspects of our client’s life that have been affected by their injury. We enlist our network of doctors, medical specialists, mental health professionals, life planners, and other experts to help us uncover the full value of the case. 

Our competent attorneys will then use their skills and experience to negotiate for the maximum amount possible for the client. And we are trial-ready – our team is not afraid to go to court if it means getting the full settlement that our client deserves.

Call Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers

Let a top-rated attorney help you claim your much-needed compensation for your back injury. Consult for free with Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers. We are highly trusted in San Diego and the rest of Southern California. Call us at (619) 550-1355 today.