Suffering a back injury after an accident is devastating, and it’s also one of the most common types of trauma suffered by people considering a personal injury lawsuit. Although some injured victims make a full recovery, many are left with permanent pain and discomfort. Apart from chronic pain, limited mobility, and challenges managing everyday tasks, many people also experience psychological and emotional issues like depression and anxiety. If you sustained a back injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault, speak to an attorney to learn whether you might be entitled to compensation. Financial compensation from the liable party can help you achieve justice and move forward despite the new obstacles you are facing.
Symptoms of a Back Injury
Back injuries might not be immediately apparent. Sometimes injury symptoms appear in the days, weeks, or even months after an accident. However, it’s crucial to any personal injury claim that you seek a complete medical evaluation immediately following a traumatic event.
Immediate symptoms of a back injury following an accident may include the following:
- Pain,
- Muscle spasms,
- Digestive problems,
- Tingling,
- Paralysis to the lower body and legs,
- Loss of ability to sense touch or temperature,
- Difficulty breathing,
- Inability to move,
- Headache, and
- Numbness.
This list is not exhaustive, and a medical doctor should closely examine you and monitor you for any unusual pain or discomfort after an accident. If you don’t experience immediate physical symptoms, other complications indicating a back injury include the following:
- Trouble focusing,
- Nausea,
- Headaches,
- Trouble sleeping,
- Bowel or bladder issues,
- Pain that does not improve with rest, and
- Pain that increases or spreads.
Follow the advice and recommendations of your physician after they have done a complete evaluation. Failure to adhere to treatments prescribed by your doctor makes it more difficult for you to obtain compensation from the at-fault party.
Common Back Injuries After an Accident
Neck and back injuries can be caused by car accidents, personal injuries, or workplace incidents. The most common back injuries after an accident include the following:
- Soft tissue damage,
- Herniated discs,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Sprains,
- Cauda equina syndrome,
- Paralysis,
- Radiculopathy,
- Strains,
- Thoracic spine injury, and
- Lumbar spine injury.
Only a full medical assessment can determine the extent and severity of your injuries. Seek medical attention immediately after an accident to help you establish a clear connection between the event and your injury. Making that connection is critical to recovering the compensation you deserve.
Is There an Average Back Injury Settlement?
Understandably, most injured victims are eager to learn what is the average payout for a back injury. Each personal injury case is unique, so no true averages exist for these cases. The average payout for a back injury varies depending on numerous factors.
The common factors impacting potential settlement payouts include the following:
- The severity and extent of your injuries,
- The type of medical treatment required now and in the future,
- The length of prescribed medical treatments,
- Whether the injury resulted in a permanent disability,
- Your ability to work following the accident,
- The amount of lost wages due to your back injury,
- If your injury prevents you from engaging in everyday activities,
- Whether there is a determination of the defendant’s liability,
- The strength of your evidence, and
- The degree of pain and suffering resulting from the accident.
As you can see, there’s no easy answer to the question, “How much is the average settlement for a back injury in Kentucky?” Your attorney will review these and other factors to determine how they might affect your average payout for a back injury.
What Damages Are Included in an Average Settlement for a Back Injury
Kentucky law permits injured victims to recover compensatory damages in the form of economic and noneconomic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages represent tangible losses directly related to your injury and include the following:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Loss of future earnings, and
- Property damage.
Your attorney supports your claim for economic damages through receipts, pay stubs, invoices, medical bills, and other similar documentation.
Noneconomic Damages
Noneconomic damages include intangible losses resulting from the psychological and emotional consequences of your injury. These damages typically include the following:
Due to their subjective nature, it can be challenging to assign a monetary value to noneconomic damages. However, an experienced personal injury attorney will be able to calculate these damages for you so that you don’t lose out on compensation.
How Can an Attorney Help Me?
As you recover from your back injury, your personal injury attorney gets to work advocating for your best interest while keeping you informed on the progress of your case. Additionally, a personal injury attorney assists injured clients in the following ways:
- Inform you of your rights. Your attorney understands the complex area of personal injury law and what aspects of the law may positively and negatively impact your case.
- Investigate and gather evidence. Building a strong case is necessary for your claim to succeed, and your attorney works to gather the evidence needed to accomplish that goal.
- Draft and file legal documents. Drafting legal documents and filing them properly without legal experience can create unnecessary delays and confusion.
- Satisfy deadlines. Understanding required deadlines imposed by the law and the court can mean the difference between being able to move forward with your case and being unable to pursue much-needed compensation.
- Negotiate. Your personal injury attorney is a skilled negotiator prepared to get you the compensation to which you are entitled.
- Litigate. If negotiations fail, your attorney can litigate your case at trial and fight for you to get a favorable judgment from the liable party.
Without an attorney, you run the risk of losing out on having your voice heard and your rights protected.
Contact Us
When you work with Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC, you benefit from a decade of experience in the complex area of personal injury law. We know how defendants and insurance companies think, how they will likely approach a claim, and what strategies they will employ to defeat your claim. We understand you likely feel anger, sadness, and frustration because of the disruption and pain your injuries have caused. But we can help you turn that anger into a drive to seek justice. We will fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve so that you can move forward with your recovery. Contact Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC, today for a free case review to find out how we can help you.
