Neck and Back Injury Claims in Arizona

Many people across the nation suffer from neck and back injuries. These types of injuries can occur suddenly or they can develop over time. Common causes of neck and back injuries include:

• Motorcycle wrecks
• Car crashes
• Falling from tall heights
• Blows to the head
• Tripping
• Lifting heavy heights

People often sustain neck and back injuries from the negligent actions of another. If your neck or back injury was cause by a negligent party or entity, you may be entitled to legal recourse.

Contact the Phoenix auto injury attorneys at Phillips Law Group to discuss your legal options. Fill out the Free Case Review form on this page to receive assistance.

Types of Neck and Back Injuries

>The back is a complex structure of bones, muscles and other tissues that begin at the neck and go down to the pelvis. Back and neck injuries can cause a patient with unbearable pain. These injuries can be broken down to two categories, acute and overuse injuries.

Sudden or Acute Injuries

Acute injuries can happen in an instance. These injuries tend to cause sudden and severe pain. Sprains, strains, fractures and ruptured discs are all considered acute injuries.

Sprains and Strains

A sprain is the stretching or tearing of a ligament. Back and neck strains are injuries to the muscles and tendons. These occur from the twisting or pulling of a muscle or tendon.

Spinal Fractures and Dislocations

Medical professionals have many different classifications for spinal fractures. They can be divided into three groups: fractures, dislocations and fracture-dislocations. Fractures occur when more pressure is put on the bone than it can withstand. Dislocations take place when the ligaments and discs connecting two vertebrae are stretched or torn, possibly causing the bones to come out of alignment. When a person breaks a bone and the ligaments are torn, it is considered a fracture-dislocation.

Torn or Ruptured Discs

The discs in the human body act like cushions between the spine and vertebrae. Occasionally, the material in the disc can bulge out of place or rupture, causing pressure on the nerve.

Overuse Injuries

People sustain overuse injuries from improper movement including lifting, sitting, standing, walking or sitting. An Arizona employee can develop an overuse injury from sitting behind the wheel for long periods of time on a regular basis. The symptoms for an overuse injury come on gradually or appear while a person is doing everyday activities. Common symptoms of overuse injuries include pain, stiffness and muscle spasms.

Diagnosis of Neck and Back Injuries

Before diagnosing a patients injury a doctor may examine patients back and then assess his/her ability to sit, stand and walk. They may also test the reflexes of a patient. If a doctor suspects a severe injury, they run the following diagnostic tests:

• X-rays– These tests show the alignments of an individuals bones. X-rays can detect broken bones.
• MRIs– A MRI shows detailed images of a persons bones, soft tissues and the nerves connected to the spinal cord.
• CT scans– A CT scan combines X-ray images taken from multiple directions to produce a cross-sectional view of the patients neck or back.

Treatments for Neck and Back Injuries

The severity of an injury will determine the type of treatment a physician prescribes. Listed below are common treatments for neck and back injuries:

• Prescription or over-the-counter medications
• Injectable medications
• Immobilization
• Physical therapy
• Surgery

Contact a Phoenix Neck and Back Injury Attorney

Treatments for neck and back injuries can be costly for an individual. If you or a loved one has sustained a neck or back injury from a car accident or a slip and fall accident, you may be eligible to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages.

For additional information about injury lawsuits, contact the experienced licensed Phoenix, AZ personal injury attorneys at Phillips Law Group. To receive a free legal consultation, fill out the contact form on this page.