San Francisco Neck Injury Lawyer
Neck injuries may vary widely in severity. People who are in minor fender-bender accidents may suffer whiplash, which is a neck sprain caused by the head moving rapidly back and forth. People in severe accidents or who experience a bad fall may suffer cervical vertebrae fractures that can also damage the spinal disks and nerves.
Depending on the location and severity of cervical spine injuries, the injury victim may need compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering or a lifetime of specialized medical care. The attorneys at Mary Alexander & Associates, P.C., have experience with all types of neck injury claims. We can help you and your family after an injury strikes.
Consequences of Neck Injuries
The top seven vertebrae in the neck make up the cervical spine. The higher on the spine an injury occurs, the more spinal nerves may be damaged, therefore affecting more body systems. An injury to the upper cervical region may cause quadriplegia and complete loss of sensation below the injury location. In the worst cases, when the spinal cord is damaged at the C1 or C2 vertebrae levels, the injury may be fatal.
Vertebrae fractures or compression of the spinal disks or nerves most often is the result of a trauma that forces the cervical spine against the shoulders. Doctors may recommend cervical fusion surgery for these types of injuries as well as for conditions such as disk disease and pinched spinal nerves.
Whether an injury causes chronic pain or permanent paralysis, the injury victim will likely need compensation for medical expenses and loss of income. You can rely on our lawyers for compassionate, experienced representation as we pursue your claim.
Can I Still Sue for a Minor Neck Injury?
If you have suffered a minor neck injury, you can still file a personal injury lawsuit and receive compensation. One of the most common forms of mild neck injury is whiplash, which is common in car crashes. Whiplash is especially common in rear-enders, or in any accident where there is a sudden change of direction that jolts the neck around.
While many injured plaintiffs dismiss whiplash as being undeserving of medical treatment, this condition can grow worse over time and lead to a number of economic and non-economic damages. This is why it is so important to get checked out by a medical professional, even if your neck injury is mild or moderate. You may discover that your neck injury becomes progressively worse over time, and it is always a good idea to catch it nice and early.
In addition, you will not have the ability to file a lawsuit and receive compensation if you fail to get medical treatment. In order to prove that your neck injury is legitimate, you will need to show your medical records. If you never get medical treatment, those records simply will not exist.
Even something as minor as whiplash can cause you to miss weeks or even months of work. This can lead to significant financial losses, and you deserve the right to pursue compensation for these losses. In addition, your whiplash may require expensive medical treatment, including massage therapy, physical therapy, and visits to a physiotherapist or chiropractor. Once again, you deserve compensation for these costs if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence.
How Neck Injuries Affect the Body
Each vertebra in your neck is associated with a different part of your body. Your neck is part of the “central nervous system” that controls various functions. If certain parts of the neck are damaged, the corresponding area of your body will also suffer. This is why neck injuries can be so serious, and their consequences might not be immediately obvious.
For example, parts of the neck are associated with bladder control and digestion. This is why many individuals suffer loss of bladder control after a serious spinal injury. Some victims may also experience loss of balance and difficulty walking, while others could experience tingling sensations or numbness in their fingers and toes.
In addition, a neck injury can throw your entire spine out of alignment, leading to bad posture and a range of issues. It is well known that issues with your spine can make it difficult for your brain to communicate with the rest of your body. This in turn can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
How Much is a Neck Injury Settlement Worth?
There is no easy way to tell how much your neck injury settlement might be worth. Each case is different, and that is why it is so important to book a consultation with a San Francisco personal injury attorney to discuss the details of your situation. Based on your unique circumstances, a lawyer can offer personalized advice and guide you toward the best possible outcome.
In addition, a lawyer can provide you with a general “ballpark figure” settlement amount that they think your neck injury lawsuit might be worth. Settlements are calculated based on your non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages are quite straightforward and include things like missed wages, medical expenses, and any other costs you might have incurred due to your injury.
Non-economic damages are a bit trickier, and they include abstract losses that are not associated with direct dollar amounts. Pain and suffering is a classic example of a non-economic loss. This rather vague term encompasses all of the psychological issues and mental issues you might have experienced due to your neck injury.
Loss of enjoyment of life is another non-economic damage that might apply to neck injuries. For example, your neck injury might prevent you from walking your dog or playing catch with your child. In other words, your injury stops you from enjoying life to its fullest. Other psychological issues like depression and anxiety are also considered non-economic damages. As long as you can prove that your damages are legitimate, you can receive compensation.
Your non-economic damages become a “general damages multiplier,” and this number is multiplied by your total economic damages. So if you had a total of $200,000 in non-economic damages and your general damages multiplier was 5, you would receive $1 million as a settlement. However, it is important to note once again that all cases are different, and only a qualified lawyer can help you figure out how much your settlement might be worth.
Cervical Neck Injury Representation in California
To schedule a free initial consultation, please call today to speak to an Oakland, San Jose, San Mateo or San Francisco attorney today.
