Neck and back injuries can be the most difficult to diagnose and treat. They can lead to chronic pain that can last a lifetime. Many times, it is unknown whether or not the pain from neck and back injuries will get better or not. The spinal column is one of the most vulnerable and important organ systems in the body. Neck and back pain can be either acute (short lived) or chronic (long lasting). Chronic pain is generally considered as lasting more than between 3 and 6 months. Even for cases in which a patient does not have the option of corrective surgery for back or neck pain, controlling the pain may require rehabilitation that can last for long periods of time.
As of 2008, back pain costs Americans approximately $15 million per year and accounts for 6 million cases annually. Roughly 10% of all occupational injuries reported in 2004 were work related back injuries.
Car accidents are often the cause of neck and back injuries. The forces involved in car accidents can cause whiplash and back spasms. Neck and back injuries are also caused by slip and fall accidents. Although not all slips or falls are the product of someone else’s negligence, sometimes they are. Many slip and fall accidents are caused by the negligence of a property or business owner and the theory of legal liability involved in such cases is often covered under premises liability.
As common as neck and back injuries are, the cases involving them are often complicated. These cases require a showing not only of how the injury happened, but the extent of the damages and why the defendant should be held liable for the injury.
Neck and back injuries can also cause herniated and slipped disks in the spine. These injuries can often be long lasting and require medical treatment beyond simply treating the pain.
After suffering a neck or back injury, people should consult a physician and contact an attorney. There are time limits involved in cases of neck and back injuries and attorneys need time to put together a case before these time limits pass. Proper diagnosis is essential in these claims and can be difficult in cases where there may be conflicting medical evidence or the pain experienced is the only symptom. This is why it is so important to speak to professional medical and legal advisors about neck and back injuries.
Useful Links:
All About Neck and Back Pain à http://www.allaboutbackandneckpain.com/index.asp
National Institutes of Health MedicinePlus Back Injuries à http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/backinjuries.html
Oregon Health and Science University Back and Neck Pain à http://www.ohsu.edu/health/health-topics/topic.cfm?id=8103
Spine-Health Find a Back or Neck Pain Doctor in Oregon à http://www.spine-health.com/doctor/oregon