Back Injuries
Back injuries, especially low back injuries, are very common in personal injury claims. Back and neck pain is often a result of a car accident. A common back injury happens when the injury further damages a bulging disc and the structures around it. The bulging disc pushes on or pinches the nerves as they exit the foramen. When a person gets a pinched nerve they often experience pain. Sometimes the pain radiates down the leg or arm. This is called radiculopathy.
Degenerative Changes Increase the Risk of Injury
After an injury with back pain, the doctor may find a degenerative disc on X-rays, CT scans or MRI’s. The disc may be either bulging or herniated. When found, insurance defense lawyers may point out that the degeneration changes existed before the accident.
Bulging discs occur frequently even in asymptomatic people. Studies have found that some people with bulging discs have never had back pain.
Aging and the Human Spine
The human spine is comprised of 24 articulation vertebrates. The thoracic vertebrae (upper back), move less than the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back). Because of this, the upper back vertebrae are injured less frequently.
Between each vertebrate is a disc which separates each of them. As we age the disc material dries out. As the discs dry they degenerate. Degenerative changes are a natural part of aging. However, these changes make it easier for a person to get injured.
An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Understands Injury and Degenerative Changes
Attorneys who understand the medical reports can point out that while degenerative changes are often pre-existing, they increase the risk that the victim was hurt. Less experienced lawyers, who do not regularly handle personal injury claims, may not understand the relationship.
Ackerman Law Office has handled injury claims since 1989 and is familiar with the medical conditions caused and aggravated by traumatic injuries. James Ackerman has cross-examined scores of doctors about injuries. Get experience on your side.
If you have a back injury claim, contact us at Ackerman Law office at 217-789-1977. We are confident in our ability to win, so we take these claims on a contingent fee basis. We offer free initial consultations. All of our clients get prompt action and personalized attention. See what our clients have to say on our Client Reviews page. Our blog is at Springfield Injury Lawyer.