loss of cervical lordosis car accident settlement

After suffering a cervical spine injury, you likely have dozens of questionsamong the first may be how to reclaim the damages youre owed. A neck injury caused by hyperextension tends to cause damage predominantly to the soft tissues in your neck. Ongoing medical care for cervical spine injuries includes: Surgeries are a massive investmentnot just financially, but emotionally and physically. Both your past and future medical care costs are recoverable in your neck injury settlement. For instance, a bulging disk can make standing or sitting pure agony. If your medical records show that there was a neck problem prior to the car accident, then with the right help from a creative lawyer, it could be proven that the accident made the existing condition worse. A lawsuit for a motor vehicle accident begins with a complainta legal document typically prepared by your lawyer that details your version of events and what you expect for your suffering. 38 CFR 4.16 b ( "Extraschedular") - This form of TDIU is for . Can the straightening of the cervical spine lead to a worsening or delayed development of whiplash-related symptoms. Her orthopedic diagnosed her with a cervical (neck) disc herniation at C4-5. The severity of the injury refers to the extent of the injury itself as well as the healing time. $9,500 trial verdict for neck injuries resulting from a minor rear-end accident. You should speak with your pain management doctor about this. If you give up work permanently or even on a short-term basis, the money lost through unearned wages are recoverable. Can the straightening of the cervical spine lead to a worsening or delayed development of whiplash-related symptoms. If the plaintiff has little or no evidence proving the defendant was at fault for the accident that led to the neck injuries, the value of the case goes down considerably. An attorney is versed in negotiations with the insurance company and trial law, and they can effectively represent you in court. A cervical spinal cord injury may also lead to bleeding, blood clots, and infections, such as pneumonia. In general, the more severe and long-lasting the injury, the higher the compensation in a personal injury insurance settlement or jury verdict. He has been practicing law for 10 years. -ABNORMAL CERVICAL CURVE; CAR WRECKS AND LOSS OF THE One of the most common ways to really foul up a cervical curve is to be involved in a MVA (MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT).). Can a car accident cause straightening of your cervical spine? When you are in a car accident hit from behind and whiplash is suspected, getting proper diagnostics is important. This includes becoming . Consider it this way:The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Centerreports that the average lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury is $5 million for a 25-year-old victim. So, the settlement amount for any one motor vehicle accident must be decided on a case-by-case basis. This disruption can make it difficult to move your head, and it can lead to neurological difficulty. There should be cervical lordosis. It is in your interest to have an attorney on your side in this situation. Healing from a neck injury following a car accident may occur at different speeds for different individuals, but chiropractic medicine can help expedite an accident injury victims recovery, and prevent or greatly reduce, chronic symptoms. Accessed Jan. 8, 2018. For your own sake, if you decide to wing it without a car accident attorney which is a terrible idea for so many reasons do not settle the case in the first 3-4 months. Not to mention, your goal is likely to maximize your potential compensation. An MRI revealed a herniated disc to her cervical spine, and she ultimately underwent a cervical fusion surgery. Weak spinal muscles lose their efficiency in maintaining the alignment of the spine which can lead to a forward shift of the vertebrae. Theyre tied to a precise number, which can usually be found on a receipt, bill, or statement. Whiplash is the rapid movement of the neck and head forward and then returning to the head rest. Best loss of cervical lordosis settlement lawyer. Auto accident settlement with cervical disc injury, $375,000 Not only does the impact of a collision affect the neck, but the anticipation of impact often causes the individual to tense their neck muscles, meaning that theyll have more potential for injury than if their muscles were relaxed. 4. The cost of this surgical procedure was greater than $33,000. Estimating the potential recovery with any degree of accuracy is quite difficult for one main reason: at trial, it will most likely be a jury that ultimately decides just how much money the defendant must pay the injured plaintiff. This likely explains why in excess of 80,000 neck injuries resulting from car accidents are recorded in the U.S. making traffic collisions the primary cause of neck injuries. what the plaintiff would be willing to accept to settle the case before trial. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of scholarly articles discussing the concern for untruthful or exaggerated whiplash injury claims. Yet 98% of the injured patients had a loss of normal neck curve, 12-14 weeks after the injury. Severe, chronic headaches. When the curve of the spine points toward the front, it's called a lordosis and toward the back, it's called a kyphosis. It can be as much as 100% or as low as 1%. Below we're sharing the VA range of motion chart used to rate back . When traveling in a car, your body may be held firmly in place by a seat belt, but your head and neck are unrestrained and remain so up until the point of impact. Some symptoms can take up to weeks to manifest. Pain. There is some controversy as to whether a straight spine or military neck cervical spinal alignment is the cause of a patients whiplash-associated problems following the injury. Additionally, "hard" injuries like a fractured bone (cervical fracture in the case of a neck injury) tend to result in larger settlements than soft tissue injuries like whiplash or pinched nerve (cervical radiculopathy). Several studies have investigated the cervical spine alignment in asymptomatic subjects and have found that significant proportions did not have lordotic cervical spines. To reiterate, in other words, some people may be walking around with loss of their cervical curve and it is completely asymptotic. At our center, we see many patients with chronic whiplash symptoms. You may not want to wait 2-3 years to get your money. This isn't my case. These claims result from automobile accidents, slip and falls, wrongful death incidents, homeowners insurance, work injury, construction accident, trip and fall . Causing significant pain and having the potential to injure your spinal cord leading to paralysis, a neck fracture is an extremely serious injury that requires immediate medical attention. Neck disc injury cases that result in surgery average over $200,000. Six months later, the symptoms have not gone away, and you are wondering what happened. Management and Treatment How is cervical kyphosis treated? The reasoning behind this is the amount of available insurance coverage. Filing an injury claimallows you to sue the responsible party and/or their insurance company to recoup your damages. T-bone auto accident settlement with cervical disc injury, $1,941,000 Yes. Attorney. $1,200,000 settlement for aggravation of pre-existing neck injury, requiring surgery, after plaintiff rear-ended in an, what the person being sued (the defendant) would be willing to pay, and. IAG Lawyers have recovered over $10,000,000 in auto accident insurance claims for injured clients like you. Generally speaking, spinal fusion surgery can increase the overall price of a settlement. Call our Washington auto accident lawyer at 425-399-7000 today for . All of this needs to be monitored and recorded so that it can be integrated into your neck injury compensation settlement. Reduced curvatures in the neck are called hypolordotic conditions. However, 24 months / 2 years, is the conservative standard discussed in reliable literature. But despite their small size, they balance a whole lot of weight. Just like the thoracic and lumbar spine, the cervical spine is incredibly vulnerable to injury during a car crash. During chiropractic treatment, the qualified chiropractor will ensure that the spine is in proper alignment by making a series of chiropractic adjustments. Some of these variables, like property damage, are not genuine and are the subject of disingenuous lowball offers. bodily trauma. We see this too often, where someone is in a car accident and does not think they are injured or thinks they are injured only a little. In most cases that injury was brought on by car accident or sports injury. Do you want us to review your case to see if it has the potential for an above average whiplash or neck injury settlement payout? If you have already done this, stop reading and call a lawyer ASAP. If it is that simple (which, by the way, it is), how come all lawyers do not do this for every case? For injuries with lifelong complications, those costs can become insurmountable. Seek a free case evaluation today to learn how much your neck injury settlement amount may be worth. In this article, we will present our clinical findings and observations on how the treatment of cervical ligament damage may be the answer that has eluded them. This rapid motion causes the vertebrae to pull apart, fracturing the delicate bones. Plus, pain medications can cause drowsiness or dizziness, making returning to certain positions dangerous. Unfortunately, many of our "normal" daily tasks may also decrease the cervical lordosis, like viewing low lying computer screens (below eye level), sleeping with two . The disc herniation itself can cause pain and swelling, but the aggravation to surrounding nerves can create a tingling, burning, and stabbing sensation. Do NOT use this as the average value of YOUR case. Two reasons why. Soft tissue neck injury claims are worth between $5,000 and $20,000 on average. Severe spinal cord damage in the neck can cause partial or total paralysis, or it can cause a victim to lose sensation and reflex functions from the neck down. Block. I am wondering if maybe you meant a loss of cervical lordosis. Car accident settlement with cervical soft tissue injury, $23,500 1 Linsenmaier U, Deak Z, Krtakovska A, Ruschi F, Kammer N, Wirth S, Reiser M, Geyer L. Emergency radiology: straightening of the cervical spine in MDCT after traumaa sign of injury or normal variant?. Regardless of the underlying cause of a straight neck, the impact can be severe. T-bone car accident settlement with cervical disc injury, $1,500,000 [Google Scholar] Physical therapy, such as neck exercises or traction, may provide pain relief and help restore a normal neck curve. An insurance adjuster will consider how much damage was done to the vehicles involved in the car accident before making a settlement offer, check whether the claimants injury shows up on an x-ray or an MRI, look at how long the recovery period was, and whether the neck injury is permanent. Would you rather have $30,000 today or $55,000 in 2 years? The control group only showed a neck disc arthritis incidence of 6%. If the injured accident victim has to seek physical therapy, injections, or other procedures to treat the soft tissue . Medically, the spine is classified into three sections: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. $300,000 verdict for a woman in a car accident who sustained disc herniations, required surgery and experienced a 60% loss of range of motion in her neck. Serving nationwide in all 50 states on a case-by-case basis with a national network of relationships and on a Pro Hac Vice basis. Unlike minor injuries, an injury that requires spinal fusion surgery averages more than $200,000. Lordotic curvatures are open towards the posterior of . The British journal of radiology. If after that, you are symptom free, then you know the full picture of your injuries and what you are negotiating for. If someone else was at fault for the accident that led to your neck injury, the best way to get information that's tailored to your situation is to talk to a lawyer. Clearly, these people had asymptomatic neck issues which were now made symptomatic because of the whiplash. No matter where you are, the Injury Advocates Group lawyers can help you maximize your neck injury settlement and recovery. A muscle is a band of tissue responsible for movement. Wallis BJ, Bogduk N., Faking a profile: can naive subjects simulate whiplash responses? Today, were discussing cervical spine injury settlement amounts as well as the factors that can influence your individual personal injury case. A ligament is a band of fibrous tissue that connects bone to bone at your joints. With a national reach, we invite you to contact us for help. A cervical spine injury can be completely life-changing, creating emotional and physical trauma as well as thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost wages. Car accident neck injury settlement amounts related to whiplash can often double and triple, but only after we push the case towards the finish line i.e., into litigation towards trial. Accident victims with serious injuries often struggle to find or return to work. A 30 lbs (13.6kg) 3-year-old boy should ride in a booster seat in the rear center seat . The at-fault motorist then fled the scene. Article Author: This law article was written by attorney Ray Benyamin, Esquire. When the impact from such events causes fractures and/or dislocation of the vertebrae (disks of the spine), a . (However) Craniocervicalinstability has a straightening effect on the cervical alignment.. Whiplash. These are hard fought damages insurance companies are notorious for refusing to pay full lost wage claims. Rear end car accident verdict with cervical disc injury, $1,850,000 The truck accident was so severe, the trunk of the victims vehicle was crushed, and his rear-view window was shattered. Bear in mind, theaverage settlement amountfor minor neck and back injuries are generally much smaller, such as $10,000 to $100,000. Sample Spondylosis Car Accident Settlements and Verdicts. C3, C4, and C5 spinal cord injuries can be life-threatening and permanently alter ones lifestyle. Likewise, auto insurance companies like to blame injured parties byciting comparative fault laws, which can slash your settlement amount. 2 Teo AQ, Thomas AC, Hey HW. This occurs when the head receives an impact when bent forwards, and produces vertebrae wedge and burst fractures, along with spine dislocations. Q. Muscle Weakness. A strain is a soft tissue injury caused by a tear in the muscles or tendons. Secondly, you have a complete reversal of the lordotic curve (x-ray on the right). If three drivers rear-end each other, a percentage of the fault goes to the last two drivers, for example. Individuals with permanent injury may have to undergo cervical fusion surgery or an alternative type of spinal surgery to repair the damage. If you have pain in your neck, you should go to the emergency room or an urgent care as soon as you can. Having dealt with hundreds of these claims, we can often predict when an injury is serious, but at the end of the day we are lawyers, not doctors. addresses the question of whiplash trauma and acceleration of degenerative disc disease. Your lifelong symptoms from a neck injury may include: Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, Less relaxing sleep or restless nights, Depressed or anxious from chronic pain. For example, medications can help with reducing pain and inflammation.. Otherwise, find a lawyer who really understands these injuries and how to squeeze out maximum value for you. Generally, whiplash creates localized neck and shoulder pain, as well as a limited range of motion in the cervical spine. Although this injury is not as common, it is visible in imaging such as x-rays, which will help relate the injury to the accident more easily which can help you in claiming whiplash after a car accident. The Cervical Spine Research Society. The Spine Journal. Ross Hauser, MDCan a car accident cause straightening of your cervical spine? The answer is also yes. Upon impact, your head may jerk backwards and forwards, to the side or even be struck by flying debris. However, if you received delayed injuries and were not aware of their extent for several months, you should confirm your case still falls under the statute of limitations in your state. Also referred to as whiplash-associated disorder (WAD), its actually a type of sprain caused by a tear in the necks delicate ligaments. They are inundated with average injury attorneys who will settle your case fast while leaving money on the table. Moral of the story the Best Law Firm may not be the Best Law Firm for YOU.. Louisiana, 2021: $4,316,378 Bench Verdict. Required medical expenses included spinal fusion surgery as well as future medical attention, including epidural injections in his cervical spine. As the disks dehydrate and shrink, signs of osteoarthritis develop, including bony projections along the edges of bones (bone spurs). You later learn you have ligament laxity or other damaged tendons or ligaments which have healed over with scar tissue, and will cause lifelong permanent symptoms. Tournier, C., Hours, M., Charnay, P., Chossegros, L., & Tardy, H. (2016). The following three major injury types can occur to the neck and cervical spine following a car accident: Fracturing of the cervical vertebrae and damage/rupturing of the ligaments and soft tissue that link the vertebrae together. The man was a passenger traveling in a company-owned truck when the at-fault motorist ran a stop sign and collided with the trucks passenger side. Not to mention, a spinal cord injury can make lifting, reaching, bending, or twisting impossible. Neck rotation. Military neck is an unusual curve in your cervical spine (this is your neck) called cervical kyphosis. The Insurance Information Institute reports the average claim for bodily injury after a collision was $20,235 in 2020, while the average property damage claim was $4,711. For example, a victim with serious injuries may experience a significantly decreased quality of life. The trauma from an auto accident can damage both the atlas and the axis, resulting in severe injuries. VA disability ratings for back pain go from 10% to 100% depending on how severe your symptoms are, including your range of motion and pain frequency and level. These delicate bones influence your center of gravity, mobility, and more. Your body has 23 spinal discs, and each holds an important purpose. Despite his efforts, his range of motion was severely impacted, and he was unable to return to his career as a landscaper. Car accidents are traumatic in and of themselves, but suffering cervical spine injuries can create severe emotional duress. Ferri FF. . Copyright 2023 attorney advertisement by Injury Advocates Group and licensed, practicing attorney Ray Benyamin, Esquire. Cervical spine injuries can range widely, from strains and sprains to paralysis. If you experience any of the following, be sure to seek medical assistance as quickly as possible: Radiating pain that penetrates the shoulders, arms and hands, Any tingling, numbness or weakness in the arms, hands and fingers. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Some neck injuries and the pains associated with them will be permanent. a congenital disorder. Each of these is a recoverable element of the damages in your neck injury settlement amount. For this reason, theyre referred to as non-economic damages, since theyre not tied to a number. When neck and back injuries are catastrophic, settlement values can go into the millions. Lastly, consider the 39-year-old customer service technician who received a $2,400,000 settlement from his accident with a commercial truck. Ongoing bouts of dizziness. While the settlement amounts above may seem promising, thats not to say theres a fixed settlement sum for neck injuries sustained during a car accident. Even if you dont feel as if the level of pain that youre suffering warrants a trip to a doctor or emergency room, you should still seek an opinion from a medical professional. Unfortunately, f you are an injury victim dealing with whiplash, you will be unhappy to hear it is less than $10,000. Upper or lower back pain. The more identifiable symptoms are in your medical records, the more ammunition your lawyer will have to argue for a larger settlement. Plus, they can handle the claims or lawsuit process so that you can focus on healing. When symptoms of a whiplash injury following a car accident persist for two years or more, the symptoms have a strong likelihood of being permanent. Let's talk. Your spine is one of the most delicate components of your body. During a car accident, the rapid forward-backward or side-to-side motion can cause these delicate tissues to stretch or tear. $250,000 settlement for aggravation of a pre-existing neck injury in a car accident. The outcome of every neck injury claim is different and depends upon a unique set of variables, so determining the average cost of a settlement is very difficult. In this article, you, and other auto accident injury victims, will learn why that is. This case was handled by Partner Jeffrey A. Many cervical spine injury victims question whether they need an attorney from a reputable law firm to guide them through the settlement process. Normally your neck has a slight backward C bend. Introduction. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, how the nature and extent of injuries affects claim value, how the "right" medical treatment increases injury settlement value, determining fault in a personal injury case, finding the right personal injury lawyer for you and your case, Tips for Getting the Best Personal Injury Settlement. If pain resulting from a whiplash injury continues for more than ten weeks, it may also be an indication that there are other accompanying injuries, such as: Some researchers also believe that some persistent or worsening pain and headaches following a neck injury may be associated with a form of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and that a car accident can cause psychological stress that manifests itself in physicals symptoms.

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