Houston Neck Injury Lawyer
Neck injuries can be debilitating, resulting in both short- and long-term complications that affect a victimโs ability to work and care for themselves. If you suffered a neck injury and someone else is to blame, they could owe you compensation for what they cost you โ including your medical bills, lost wages from missed work, and the pain and suffering you experienced. But getting this compensation could prove challenging without the help of a Houston neck injury lawyer to pursue your claim.
At Fleming Law, our Houston neck injury attorneys are ready to discuss your options and help you move forward. We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of Texans like you, and weโre ready to put what weโve learned in our over 30 years of practice to work on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Houston neck injuries lawyer.
What Are the Different Types of Neck Injuries?
Even a relatively minor accident can have serious complications if it results in a neck injury. Thatโs because the neck serves a vital role in transmitting messages throughout the body.
Some of the most common neck injuries include the following:
- Strains and sprainsย โ Strains and sprains are injuries to the muscles and ligaments in your neck. Mild injuries of this type typically go away on their own but can be treated with painkillers in the meantime.
- Whiplashย โ Whiplash is a more severe form of neck strain. It occurs when the neck experiences a rapid back-and-forth movement, which is common in car accidents and slip and falls. Whiplash can have debilitating consequences on a victimโs mobility.
- Fractures and broken bonesย โ Broken neck bones require immediate medical intervention. Permanent complications may result from a lack of treatment.
- Herniated discsย โ Injuries to the discs that cushion the vertebrae are a common result of whiplash. Whiplash symptoms that donโt clear up as quickly as expected are signs of herniation.
- Cervical dislocationย โ This occurs when the bones in the neck are dislocated due to a soft tissue injury that leaves the spine unstable. Cervical dislocation is extremely serious and requires prompt medical attention to reduce the risk of paralysis or death.
- Spinal cord injuriesย โ Neck injuries pose a significant threat to the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can result in lifelong complications, including paralysis and reduced motor functions. Severe spinal cord injuries can result in death, such as when the upper vertebrae sever the spinal cord.
If youโve suffered a neck injury after an accident in Houston, you must seek medical attention right away. Even if you feel okay immediately following the accident, you should still see a doctor. Some neck injuries may not show symptoms at first. Seeking treatment is the best course of action for your long-term health as well as for your legal case. Contact one of our neck injury lawyers in Houston today.
Whiplash Statistics
According toย Back Health, the following is true of whiplash victims:
- 75% of patients experience whiplash symptoms for over six months;
- Symptoms typically do not appear until weeks or months after the collision;
- The average whiplash victim has to take eight weeks off of work, meaning that they are not earning a wage for two months;
- Women are five times more likely to experience whiplash than men;
- The most common age group that whiplash affects is people between 30 and 50 years old; and
- The most common type of crash that results in cervical spine damage is a rear-end collision, as opposed to a front or side collision.
What Medical Treatments Are Used to Treat Neck Injuries?
The approach to treating neck injuries depends on the location and severity of the damage.
Your neck injury may require any of the following treatments:
- Non-surgical treatmentsย โ For relatively minor neck injuries, your doctor may advise ice application, pain relievers, an epidural steroid injection, physical therapy, bed rest, or other measures to alleviate pain and promote healing.
- Neck brace or haloย โ If movement presents a risk of serious injury before or following surgery, your medical team may fit you with a neck brace or halo to stabilize your head and neck.
- Discectomyย โ Herniated discs can be removed, along with bone debris, during a discectomy. Your surgeon will fill the resulting space with another piece of bone, fusing the remaining vertebrae together.
- Spinal fusionย โ While itโs generally considered a last resort option due to its invasiveness and the resulting loss of mobility, cervical spinal fusion surgery may be necessary to stabilize the spine.
What Are Common Causes of Neck Injuries?
Virtually anything that puts force on the neck could cause serious damage.
Some of the most common causes of neck injuries in Houston include the following:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and falls
- Maritime accidents
- Refinery accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Assault and other crimes
Regardless of the exact cause of your neck injury, if someone else is to blame, they could owe you compensation for the consequences. Get in touch with our Houston neck injury lawyer today.
What Is Needed to Prove Fault for My Neck Injuries?
To secure compensation for your neck injury, you must prove that another party directly caused it. Doing so involves gathering evidence related to the incident, such as:
- The police report
- Documentation of the scene
- Eyewitness testimony
- Accident reconstructions
- Medical records
The attorneys at Fleming Law will focus on gathering this evidence. Your job is to focus on your own physical and emotional recovery. If your neck injury happened in a car accident, contact our Houston car accident attorney today.
What Compensation Can I Receive for My Injuries?
How much you can recover in compensation will depend on the extent of your injury, the recovery time, and the anticipated long-term effects.
Based on these factors, you could be entitled to money for your neck injuries:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Pain and suffering
When you consult the Houston personal injury attorneys at Fleming Law, weโll evaluate your situation and determine which losses may qualify for compensation.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing My Neck Injury Claim?
In Texas, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a neck injury claim. In addition to seeking medical attention right away, youโll want to promptly contact a neck injury attorney in Houston if another personโs negligence caused your injury.
Contact a Houston Neck Injury Lawyer
When youโve been injured and someone else is to blame, you deserve attentive, knowledgeable support from attorneys who get results for their clients. Fleming Law has over 30 years of experience helping injured Texans recover compensation for neck injuries from car accidents, slip and falls, and more. Contact us today for your free consultation. We look forward to learning more about your case and working for justice on your behalf.