If you suffered significant injury to the neck or the back in an accident at work, a Houston neck and back injury lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact the compassionate catastrophic injury attorneys at Schecter, Shaffer & Harris L.L.P. today to schedule a consultation. We will protect your rights and fight diligently to secure the best outcome for you and your family during this difficult time.
About Neck and Back Injuries in Houston, TX
In Texas, back and neck injuries are among the leading reasons patients seek medical care. Most neck and back injuries are attributed to auto accidents, but they are also prevalent in the workplace. Anyone can sustain a neck or back injury in a myriad of other ways, too. Bicyclists, pedestrians, equine sports, and rodeo enthusiasts all face a risk.
A skilled neck and back injury attorney can help victims in Houston prepare for the future and secure the compensation they deserve for lost wages and ongoing medical expenses.
Types of Common Back and Neck Injuries
Whiplash is the most common neck injuries treated by hospitals in the Houston area. Whiplash occurs when a person’s head is thrown forward, backward, or to the side violently. This condition is common after auto accidents, motorcycle crashes, and bicycle wrecks.
Mild Whiplash
Whiplash can range from mild to severe. In the mildest cases, a person may experience a sore neck, discomfort that lasts for weeks, and a future case of temporomandibular disorders (sometimes referred to as TMJ) if the sensitive muscles and tissue around their jaws are damaged. Even the mildest cases of whiplash can lead to hospitalization, ongoing physical therapy costs, and potentially addictive pain medication prescriptions.
Severe Whiplash
In the most severe cases of whiplash, a victim might endure persistent, chronic neck pain that lasts for years or possibly forever. Victims could experience debilitating headaches, nausea, nerve issues, and trouble sleeping. Changes in cognitive abilities, such as thinking and remembering, can occur, while some victims’ families notice a significant change in a person’s usual mood and personality. Individuals who suffer from any neck injury should seek medical care right away.
Back Injuries
Back injuries can manifest in hundreds of ways after an accident. Painful strains and sprains of soft tissue are among the most common issues. Tearing of ligaments and soft tissue can be excruciating and lead to temporary or long-term disability, depending on the nature of the accident.
Direct trauma to the spine can lead to paralyzing conditions like quadriplegia or paraplegia. These conditions occur when a victim’s spine is struck and severed and can last for months, years, or a lifetime.
How to Talk to Insurance Companies After a Neck or Back Injury
After an accident, most victims or their families are approached by a representative from an insurance company. This representative will offer a settlement check that is usually far less than a victim deserves.
Remember, if the victim accepts this settlement offer, they will be unable to sue for more later. Victims do not need to speak to insurance representatives, and they should not allow anyone to record them. Instead, consult a skilled personal injury attorney who works in neck and back injuries.
Call a Houston Neck and Back Injury Attorney Now to Discuss Your Future
Your life can change in an instant when someone’s negligence leads to a major accident. Schecter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP, has extensive experience with these cases. If you need a Houston neck and back injury lawyer, contact us today for a free consultation. We look forward to helping you collect the money you are owed.