One of the most common reasons a person visits an emergency room is due trauma. According to a 2009 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey more than 29 million persons visited the hospital for some type of injury. Furthermore, 3.9 million of these injuries were fractures.
A broken back, also known as a vertical compression fracture, is a serious incapacitating injury that affects many people each year. The same national ambulatory survey indicated that 2.6 million people were diagnosed with neck and back sprains and another 2.6 million with fractures.
The human back is made up of 24 vertebrae and 9 infused vertebrae at the lower back. Due to the large number of bones an injury is likely when a traumatic accident happens.
There are three different classifications of a broken back injury:
- Dislocations – When the ligaments or discs that connect the vertebrae are stretched too far or torn, they can come out of place and be dislocated.
- Fractures – A fracture occurs when too much pressure is put on the bones causing them to shatter or collapse. This type of injury could lead to further complications if pieces of the bone come into contact with the spinal cord.
- Dislocated Fractures – A combination of the two, this type of injury can be very painful and uncomfortable.
If you or a loved one has had to endure a broken back injury at the hands of a negligent individual or party, the victim may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and more.
For a no-cost, no-obligation review of your broken back injury incident with one of our Bridgeport personal injury lawyer, fill out the ‘Free Case Evaluation’ form to your right.
Causes Of A Broken Back
There are many different types of injuries that a person can suffer from, however, a broken back injury is most likely to occur due to a serious strain and trauma.
Some common causes of a back injury include:
- Combat Sports
- Slip and Fall Incidents
- Car Accidents
- Pedalcyclist and Motorcycle Collisions
- Truck Crashes
- Nursing Home Negligence
- Defective Products
Elderly adults are more susceptible to broken back injuries due to decreased mobility and instability that leads them to fall more frequently than any other age group.
Schedule a free legal consultation with our personal injury team.
Symptoms Of A Broken Back Injury
The location of the injury could lead to a variety of symptoms and some people might experience worse pain then others. When a person suffers from a broken back injury they should seek medical assistance immediately and try to stay immobile until the full extent of the injury is diagnosed.
Some common symptoms of a broken back include:
- Sudden or Severe Back Pain that May Increase Over Time
- Pain When Standing or Walking
- Difficulty Bending or Twisting
- Stooped Over Posture
- Loss of Height
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Muscle Spasms
Along with pain a person’s back may also be tender to the touch and the person will have difficulty performing everyday activities like picking something up off the floor.
Treating A Broken Back
Getting medical treatment is important and can prevent further damage from occurring including permanent back deformities or chronic back pain. Depending on the type of injury a person has suffered from, the treatment may differ from person to person.
Some common forms of treatment include:
- Pain Medication
- Bed Rest
- Back Brace (to immobilize the back)
- Surgery
Physical therapy will also likely be prescribed once the fracture has healed. If there was more than one fracture or if the injured vertebrae was shattered surgery may be used to remove bone fragments to ensure that the person not suffer from further harm such as a spinal cord injury.
Common Frequently Asked Questions About Broken Backs
How long do I have to file a catastrophic injury claim in Bridgeport, CT?
In Connecticut, most broken back injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of the accident under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584. If you miss this deadline, the court will almost always dismiss your case, no matter how serious your injury is. Because spinal injuries often require ongoing treatment, it is important to speak with a lawyer early so evidence is preserved and deadlines are not missed.
What if my broken back injury gets worse after the accident?
Many spinal injuries worsen over time as swelling increases, discs deteriorate, or nerve damage becomes more apparent. Connecticut law allows you to recover compensation for future medical treatment and worsening conditions, as long as the injury can be medically linked to the original accident. This is why it is critical not to settle too early before doctors understand the full extent of your injury.
Can I still recover compensation if I had a pre-existing back condition?
Yes. Under Connecticut law, you can recover damages if an accident aggravated or accelerated a pre-existing back condition. Insurance companies often try to blame symptoms on prior issues, but they are still responsible for the harm they caused or made worse. Medical records and expert opinions are often used to show how the accident changed your condition.
Who can be held legally responsible for a broken back injury in Bridgeport?
Liability depends on how the injury occurred. Responsible parties may include a negligent driver, a property owner who failed to maintain safe conditions, an employer in certain workplace accidents, a nursing home, or even a product manufacturer if defective equipment caused the injury. In Bridgeport cases, more than one party may share responsibility.
Contact Our Caring Personal Injury Lawyers Today
When an individual endures a broken back injury it is likely that their everyday life will be interrupted and in most cases the person could be out of work until the injury heals. At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers we sympathize with all those who have to suffer through an injury caused by no fault of their own and we believe that all parties who are responsible for the accident should be held accountable for their actions. Contact us at 800-PERKINS or fill out a free case evaluation form.
