Compensation for Back Injuries from an Accident

#AskRichardChang

If you have lingering pain from a back injury, you are not alone. Almost 85 percent your fellow Canadians will experience an injury or problem with their backs at some point during their lifetimes. The pain and disability associated with an injury to the back can linger for years after an accident and make it difficult to work or engage in normal activities. You could be entitled to receive compensation for a back injury related to your job or one caused by the negligence of another party, such as a car crash or a slip-and-fall accident.

A quick guide to your back

Your back is composed of muscles, tendons and ligaments that allow you to move about. The bony structure at the center of your back is the vertebral column composed of 33 bone segments called vertebrae. Facet joints within each vertebra allow for movement giving you flexibility and make it possible to bend and move.

Separating the vertebrae from each other are the intervertebral discs that act as cushions or shock absorbers to prevent the bone segments from rubbing together. The primary function of the vertebral column is to encase the spinal cord and protect it from injury.

Physicians divide the spine into regions depending upon their location. The neck is the cervical spine, mid-back is the thoracic spine, the lower back is the lumbar spine. The region immediately below the lumbar spine is the sacrum and below that is the tailbone or coccyx.

An accident may cause an injury to any of the soft tissues or bones that together make up the structure of the spinal column, including:

• Fractures to the vertebrae
• Compression of the discs causing them to bulge out or rupture
• Soft tissue strains and sprains
• Torn ligaments, muscles or tendons

Depending upon the circumstances of the accident, including the severity of the impact, an injury could occur to the spinal cord causing paralysis or death.

Common causes of back injuries

Injuries to the back may occur in a number of ways, including the following:

• Lifting heavy objects
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Boating accidents
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Falls from heights, including ladders, platforms and scaffolding
• Participation in sports activities
• Diving accidents
• Being struck by a falling object

It takes not take much to cause an injury to your back. A sudden movement or a twisting motion as might occur in a fall or in a car crash could be enough to cause a painful and disabling injury.

Getting the help you need for a back injury

If you believe your back has been injured in an accident, you should be evaluated by a physician as soon as possible. In addition to a physical examination, your doctor will probably request X-rays, CT scans and other diagnostic testing to help determine the extent of the damage.

Treatment might include rest, medications for pain and inflammation, and physical therapy. Depending upon the severity of your injury, your doctor might recommend surgery to repair the damage to your spinal column.

The pain and disability from a back injury could make it difficult or impossible for you to work or to engage in an active lifestyle. Whether the injury to your back was caused by the work you do or by an accident caused by the negligence of another party, you could be entitled to compensation, including medical costs, lost earnings and other damages.

Ontario back injury lawyers

The personal injury lawyers at Diamond and Diamond have years of experience successfully handling claims for compensation on behalf individuals with back injuries resulting from accidents caused by the negligence of other parties. Learn more about your right to recover compensation by speaking with one of our lawyers. Call the Diamond and Diamond 24/7 injury hotline at 1-800-567-HURT or visit our website to speak to someone now. We have offices located throughout Ontario offering free consultations and case evaluations to injury victims and their families.