Neck and back injuries can disrupt your ability to work and manage everyday tasks. Some symptoms surface right after an accident, while others develop gradually as inflammation or nerve irritation sets in. A Pasadena, TX neck and back injury lawyer could examine how your injury happened and pinpoint the losses that you should include in your claim.
At Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, our catastrophic injury attorneys know that these cases demand more than proof of discomfort. We work to link the accident to your medical condition and challenge any insurer that downplays the seriousness of your diagnosis.
Why Do Insurers Question Neck and Back Injury Claims?
Neck and back injuries often involve soft tissue and nerve damage that do not show on a standard X-ray, which allows insurers to challenge claims. An adjuster may claim that stiffness and limited movement are due to arthritis or an earlier accident rather than your recent crash. Our Pasadena attorneys could address these arguments with records that existed from soon after your neck and back injury.
The state follows a proportionate responsibility system. According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, you cannot recover damages if your share of responsibility exceeds 50 percent. If your share is less than that, your recovery decreases by the percentage of fault the court assigns to you. Because an insurer often has a financial motivation to shift blame onto you, contesting any claim that you caused the accident may protect the value of your case.
Connecting Your Neck and Back Injury to the Accident
Proving one of these cases requires tying a specific diagnosis to the force of the collision or the serious fall you suffered. The spine relies on vertebrae and cushioning discs held in place by nerves and soft tissue, and a sudden impact can damage any of them. In a Pasadena accident, our legal team could trace your neck and back trauma to the event that caused it. Diagnoses commonly linked to these accidents include:
- Whiplash and cervical strain
- Herniated or bulging disks
- Vertebral fractures
- Pinched nerves
- Sciatica
- Spinal cord damage
Even if you had prior neck or back problems, you may still have a claim if another party’s conduct worsened your condition. Imaging studies, treatment notes, and physician opinions may distinguish fresh trauma from age-related degeneration.
Compensation and the Deadline To File
The costs of a neck or back injury extend beyond the first emergency room visit. Ongoing physical therapy or surgery may follow, and lasting restrictions may limit how long you stand or how many hours you work. A Pasadena lawyer experienced in back and neck injuries could document these effects so your claim reflects the full toll rather than just the earliest medical bills. Personal injury claims may seek compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Physical impairment
When doctors foresee permanent limitations, your claim should account for future treatment, not only past bills. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 generally requires you to file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the claim’s accrual, with shorter notice deadlines applicable to claims against governmental entities.
Contact Our Pasadena, TX Attorneys To Discuss Your Neck and Back Trauma
Persistent neck or back pain can create uncertainty about your health and your financial future. You should not have to consider an insurance offer before you understand the evidence and the law supporting your claim.
A Pasadena neck and back injury lawyer at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris could review your accident and address disputes over fault or medical causation as you pursue compensation. Contact us today to discuss your situation and your next steps.
