Concord Back and Neck Injury Lawyer

Concord Back and Neck Injury Attorney

Back and neck injuries can range from mild discomfort to severe enough to be life-altering. If you were involved in an accident at work and suffered an injury to your back or neck, your injuries could require extensive medical care that could lead to a huge financial burden. A Concord back and neck lawyer may be able to help you get the compensation needed to ease the financial burden of your injury.

What Can Cause a Neck or Back Injury Claim?

Car crashes are a major cause of neck and back injuries in North Carolina, with 39.9 driving incidents reported per 1,000 people, putting the state just outside the top ten in the nation for this category. OSHA notes that slips, trips, and falls are the second most common type of workplace hazard, accounting for up to 30% of all injuries.

Neck injuries can occur in the workplace across a wide variety of industries. They are often the result of strenuous activities, repetitive tasks, or hazardous workplace conditions. Understanding the common causes of workplace injuries is important to staying safe on the job and knowing when you are eligible for workers’ compensation for an injury. Some of the common causes include:

• Heavy lifting. In industries such as construction, warehousing, and manufacturing, workers often have to lift heavy loads that can cause strain on the neck and back.
• Slips and falls. Wet floors, loose cords, or uneven surfaces can create dangerous conditions for workers. A slip and fall can cause whiplash or painful spinal compression.
• Falling from heights. Warehouse workers who climb ladders or work on scaffolding are at risk of a fall that could result in a spinal fracture or severe neck injury.
• Repetitive motion. Even if you don’t do any heavy lifting on the job, repeating the same motion over and over again can lead to a neck injury. Office workers and warehouse pickers are susceptible to repetitive stress injuries.
• Vehicle accidents. Delivery drivers, truckers, and construction workers spend a good portion or all of their day behind the wheel of a vehicle, putting them at risk for a neck or back injury.

Common Back and Neck Injuries

Injuries to the back and neck in the workplace can lead to a variety of injuries. Almost 40% of work-related injuries involve back issues. Some of the most common are:

• Spinal disc herniations
• Broken vertebrae due to blunt force
• Spinal cord injuries that can result in complete or partial paralysis
• Muscle strains and sprains

Neck pain is a common injury for office workers. According to the National Safety Council, neck injuries are also some of the most expensive claims, averaging over $70,000 in costs per claim.

What to Do After an Injury at Work?

The steps you take after an accident or injury at work are important. The statute of limitations for workers’ compensation in North Caroline is two years from the date of the injury. If you suffered a back or neck injury at work, you should:

• Report the injury to your employer as soon as you can.
• Seek medical attention.
• Document your injuries and symptoms.
• Keep records and documentation of the accident and your medical care.
• Consult with a Concord back and neck injury attorney.

An attorney familiar with back and neck injury laws, the North Carolina Industrial Commission, and the Cabarrus County Court can help make sure you file a claim within the statute of limitations so you don’t miss out on compensation that you deserve.

Possible Damages for Back and Neck Injuries

A neck or back injury can lead to a wide range of challenges. You may be facing high medical bills, emotional trauma, and physical challenges. You may be eligible for compensation to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses. This can include your initial emergency room visit, surgery, ongoing follow-up appointments, and physical therapy.
• Lost income. If your injury prevents you from performing your job, you may be entitled to receive compensation to make up for lost wages.
• Pain and suffering. You may be eligible to receive compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress of your injury or accident. Damages may also be awarded for a diminished quality of life if your injury is life-altering. These damages are not covered by workers’ compensation.
• Future medical care. Some neck and back injuries require long-term care. You may be able to file a back and neck injury claim to pursue compensation to cover the future cost of medical care.

Hire a Back and Neck Injury Lawyer

If you have suffered a back or neck injury, the ideal way to get the compensation you deserve is to hire an assertive back and neck injury lawyer. Handling an injury claim on your own can be overwhelming, especially if you are recovering from your accident. An attorney can assist you by:

• Investigating your case. An attorney can work to gather evidence, consult with professionals, talk to eyewitnesses, and build a strong case that demonstrates liability and damages.
• Negotiate with insurance companies. An attorney can communicate and negotiate with insurance providers on your behalf.
• Represent you at trial. If a fair settlement is not reached, an attorney may represent you in court.

FAQs

Q: What Should a Person Do Right After an Injury?

A: Right after an injury, especially to the neck or back, the first priority is to seek medical attention. Professionals at Atrium Health Cabarrus near Carolina Mall can provide valuable insight into the nature of the injuries and methods for treating them. This also allows the injury victim to get medical reports, which could prove extremely valuable as evidence in an injury case.

Q: What Is the Average Settlement for a Back and Neck Injury?

A: The size of a settlement for a back and neck injury depends largely on the injury. A minor sprain will have a much lower settlement than a life-altering injury such as a spinal cord injury. The settlement will depend on the cost of medical care, lost wages, and long-term costs.

Q: How Much Is Pain and Suffering for Neck and Back Injuries Worth in North Carolina?

A: In North Carolina, there is no cap on damages for pain and suffering. If you are injured at work, North Carolina workers’ compensation does not directly cover damages for pain and suffering. However, if a third party caused your workplace injury, you may be able to file a claim against them to cover non-economic damages.

Q: Are Neck Injuries Hard to Prove?

A: Neck injuries are sometimes hard to prove. They may be questioned by insurance companies because soft tissue injuries don’t always show up on imaging. Symptoms are not always noticeable right away, and it can be difficult to measure pain levels. Medical documentation, such as emergency room records, diagnostic imaging, and reports from doctors, can be used to show that an injury resulted from a work accident or job hazard.

Q: How Do Courts Determine Settlement Amounts for Injury Victims?

A: Courts determine settlement amounts for injury victims by examining the scope of their injuries, as well as current and future medical bills, according to expert witnesses. They may also consider past and future lost wages, as well as life changes due to pain and suffering. The settlement could be higher if gross negligence or malicious intent were a factor on the part of the accused party.

Q: What Neck and Back Injuries Qualify for Workers’ Comp in North Carolina?

A: To be eligible for workers’ comp in North Carolina, you need to be an employee, work for an organization that maintains workers’ compensation insurance, and suffer a work-related injury. You also must meet the state deadlines for reporting the injury and the deadlines for filing the claim. If your claim is denied, you may hire an attorney who can help you appeal.

Contact a Back and Neck Injury Lawyer

Attempting to recover compensation for a back and neck injury can be overwhelming, and it’s something you shouldn’t have to face alone. The attorneys at The Bollinger Law Firm, PC, may be able to help. Contact us today for a review of your case.