We'll start with some examples of real-life verdicts and personal injury settlements involving neck injuries, then cover some key factors in figuring out what a neck injury claim might be worth. A compression fracture occurs when a vertebra partially or completely breaks. Available medical literature shows there is approximately a 40% chance of your whiplash injuries being permanent if they persist beyond two years. Special damages are expenses that are capable of exact calculation. These claims result from automobile accidents, slip and falls, wrongful death incidents, homeowners insurance, work injury, construction accident, trip and fall . Rollover auto accident settlement with cervical disc injury, $128,000 So, the settlement amount for any one motor vehicle accident must be decided on a case-by-case basis. The muscles in the neck and shoulders have to work harder to support the weight of the head as the curvature that usually facilitates the even distribution of this weight is lost. In this image, we see the reversal of the cervical lordosis and the characteristic disc narrowing of disc thinning at the C3-C4, C4-C5, and C5-C6. Management and Treatment How is cervical kyphosis treated? The spinal muscles support the spine and keep the spine in place. Call (727) 733-0433 for a cervical lordosis evaluation! Theyre tied to a precise number, which can usually be found on a receipt, bill, or statement. If it impairs, interferes with or severs the spinal cord - which contains the nerves that connect a person's brain to the rest of the body and is protected by the spine - then the injury could result in paralysis. 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. But, true structural permanent loss of lordosis is usually secondary to advanced degeneration , or structural changes to the bones . Tournier, C., Hours, M., Charnay, P., Chossegros, L., & Tardy, H. (2016). A ligament is a band of fibrous tissue that connects bone to bone at your joints. In other words, some people may be walking around with loss of their cervical curve and it is completely asymptotic. Sagittal alignment of the cervical spine: do we know enough for successful surgery?. The following cases detail some pretty devastating damages as well as the sizable compensation the victims received. Block O'Toole & Murphy won a settlement of $1,200,000 for the plaintiff, a woman whose car was rear-ended in New York and suffered a neck injury as a result. Head on vehicle accident verdict with cervical soft tissue injury, $200,000 The text notes that in one study, x-rays taken an average of 7 years after whiplash injury showed neck disc arthritis was present in 39% of the patients. Car Accident Case With Spinal Injury Settled for $380,000. Abnormal curves of the cervical spine (neck) come in two forms. Upon impact, your head may jerk backwards and forwards, to the side or even be struck by flying debris. Let us help you win. Her orthopedic diagnosed her with a cervical (neck) disc herniation at C4-5. We will start by reviewing mechanism of injury and its importance to the value of your neck injury settlement payout. Injury Advocates Group Attorneys, L.L.P, all rights reserved. Compression fractures generally occur in the thoracic (mid-back) or lumbar spine (lower back). Call our Washington auto accident lawyer at 425-399-7000 today for . Generally speaking, the answer to this question depends on your injury severity and the treatment you get after your injury. A fracture that affects the spine can cause the vertebrae to slide forward which leads to anterolisthesis. Building a strong attorney-client relationship with a knowledgeable attorney is essential to your case. The victim sustained serious injuries to his neck and lower back, including herniated discs. Seek a free case evaluation today to learn how much your neck injury settlement amount may be worth. Accident victims with serious injuries often struggle to find or return to work. You may have been told that your problems stem from the stretching of the cervical ligaments that is now allowing hypermobile or neck instability to occur. When discussing cervical spine injury settlement amounts, you must bear in mind the strength of your personal injury case. absence of cervical lordosis . In many cases, you may require ongoing medical treatment to regain range of motion, decrease pain, and improve strength. If, on the other hand, your neck injury is a whiplash, soft tissue, or muscle sprain or strain injury, you have a problem. They refer to the emotional and mental damages suffered from a car accident. To counter aggressive insurance companies and defense attorneys, you need a strong case and a skilled personal injury attorney. Paralysis is forever. With the Rectifier it is impossible to have a loss of cervical lordosis. This type of injury is usually painful and often causes stiffness and tenderness in the neck. A bulging disc occurs when the outer cartilage of the spinal disc cracks, revealing its soft center. Rollover vehicle accident verdict with cervical soft tissue injury, $125,000 According to clinical research and empirical evidence. pattismith said: There is a significant relationship between cervical muscle imbalance, including extensor muscle weakness, and loss of cervical lordosis. The average jury verdict for whiplash injuries in auto tort cases over the last five years is just under $20,000. A neck injury could keep you out of a job for months or longer, so your settlement must include lost income. Medically, the spine is classified into three sections: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Fan Li, Nian-song Liu, Hong-geng Li, Biao Zhang, Shi-wei Tian, Ming-gang Tan, Baptiste. Yet 98% of the injured patients had a loss of normal neck curve, 12-14 weeks after the injury. Rear end truck accident settlement with cervical disc injury, $2,500,000 You will also learn the 101s of: When not to settle a neck injury claim, What is mechanism of injury and how it can help you, Sample neck injury settlement amounts, What are recoverable damages in a neck injury claim. Compression fractures can cause chronic pain that worsens with movement over time. addresses the question of whiplash trauma and acceleration of degenerative disc disease. The insurance company will scrutinize your past medical records to try and bring forth the argument that you had a pre-existing condition. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2018. Are you a chronic pain expert? The cervical spine is your neck, from the base of your skull to your shoulder blades. Unfortunately, f you are an injury victim dealing with whiplash, you will be unhappy to hear it is less than $10,000. 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. A bulging disc injury can be caused by age-related wear and tear or pre-existing spinal conditions. Its important to understand each car accident has varying factors (such as total damages or liability) that impact its overall settlement value. Keep reading to find out what causes a loss of lumbar lordosis. It houses your spinal cord, which carries information from your brain down to the rest of your body. A personal injury lawyer will pinpoint every insurance policy that could pay for your injuries. Despite his efforts, his range of motion was severely impacted, and he was unable to return to his career as a landscaper. Verdict/Settlement Amount. The C3, C4, and C5 vertebrae form the midsection of the cervical spine, near the base of the neck. Get tips on finding the right personal injury lawyer for you and your case. Whiplash is one form of soft tissue neck injury. Kinematics of human cadaver cervical spine during low speed rear-end impacts. With a national reach, we invite you to contact us for help. Personal Attention & Quality Legal Service Since 1961. 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. Ongoing medical care for cervical spine injuries includes: Surgeries are a massive investmentnot just financially, but emotionally and physically. 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. $865K Accident Settlement for a worker struck by a dump truck while driving a company vehicle. Vehicle accident settlement with cervical fracture injury, $350,000 These numbers are weighed down by the fact that the average accident involves a short, 3-6 week injury and minor collision. Keep reading for the most common back injuriesfrom car accidents. $537,000 settlement for a man who required cervical fusion surgery following a car accident. Injury Mechanisms & Criteria, 2001. In my experience, the average workers compensation settlement amount for a neck injury that contributes to (worsens, flares up, aggravates, exacerbates, etc.) IS 3.Permanent Injury From Whiplash - X-ray Proof - Dr. Martin Schmaltz; 4.Your Neck Curvature Will Help You or HURT YOU if You're Involved 5.Correcting Your Cervical Lordosis Can Prevent Whiplash and Neck MVA's especially rear-enders cause serious injuries to the body's soft tissues (MUSCLES, LIGAMENTS, TENDONS, and most particularly, FASCIA - especially in the SCM), and can defy most treatment approaches (). Bear in mind, the average settlement amount for minor neck and back injuries are generally much smaller, such as $10,000 to $100,000. Spondylolisthesis is the medical term for when a single vertebra slips out of place. They tell the story of a bad whiplash that reversed their cervical spine lordosis. The other major factor in valuing a case is the likelihood a defendant will be found liable at trial. Not to mention, additional doctors and surgeons may be required to care for you. Tearing, sprains, or strains to the ligaments, muscles and tendons in the neck following a car accident are described as soft tissue damage. 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. These are hard fought damages insurance companies are notorious for refusing to pay full lost wage claims. Both that physical pain and emotional suffering are recoverable and impact your Car accident neck injury settlement amount. For instance, an injury that requires minimal treatment and recovery time will average roughly $25,000. He required spinal fusion surgery in two places and had to begin weekly treatments of chiropractic therapy, physical therapy, and acupuncture. loss of cervical lordosis car accident settlementthe renaissance apartments chicago. In another car accident case, a 60-year old retiree received a $2.76 million cervical spine neck injury settlement after he was hit by a United Parcel Service (UPS) truck operator. Your spine is composed of several different types of soft tissue, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Can the straightening of the cervical spine lead to a worsening or delayed development of whiplash-related symptoms. If three drivers rear-end each other, a percentage of the fault goes to the last two drivers, for example. Rear-end vehicle accident settlement with cervical disc injury, $535,000 Bulging disc injuries and herniated disc injuries can also press on the spinal cord, transmitting intense pain to the legs and lower back. In stories, we hear from people, those diagnosed with craniocervical instability following a car accident that caused the whiplash-associated reversal of cervical lordosis, are the stories that suggest something was already going on in their neck and the car accident was the final straw. The person will tell us about a head-on car accident that initially did not cause them any problems at all. 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. Neck disc injury cases that result in surgery average over $200,000. walmart stabbing victim; google financial analyst salary london. In short, cervical disc herniations and extrusions are much less vulnerable to the whiplash bias. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. When you get an offer, especially a quick offer, it is a red flag that the insurance company wants to settle with you before you lawyer up. Block. Some neck injuries and the pains associated with them will be permanent. Such displayed above, they had a military or straight spine shape before the accident, and many of those people had no previous neck-related symptoms. While this is not life threatening, it can lead to long term disability and can be included in your settlement demand. We keep mentioning the intervertebral discs in this article, and for good reason. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. Let's look at some of the health problems related to the . To find out what you might be able to claim for your neck injury, schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers via email or the contact form below. 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. Yes. [Google Scholar] For example, if the liable drivers insurance policy limit is not adequate, your lawyer may consider tapping your own policys Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or uninsured/underinsured coverage before filing a lawsuit. However, a Martindale . Cervical Spondylosis. For example, a victim with serious injuries may experience a significantly decreased quality of life. $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. February 9, 2023. Frontera WR, et al . Ultimately, those who have whiplash injuries have been often shown to have poor quality of life long after their accidents. When there is a loss of lumbar lordosis, the lower spine's natural inward curvature has become straighter, making that section of the spine flatter than it should be. Along the way, spinal cord injury victims may have several complications, including infection, bleeding blood clots, and pneumonia. Obviously, the individual's case, who underwent the neck surgery, is valued much higher than the . Car accident settlement with cervical soft tissue injury, $23,500 The trauma from an auto accident can damage both the atlas and the axis, resulting in severe injuries. This soft tissue damage can include mild to severe back pain. The average settlement amount for a neck or back injury in Michigan is $462,900, and the median amount is $320,000. This rapid motion causes the vertebrae to pull apart, fracturing the delicate bones. Rezai, M., Ct, P., Cassidy, J. D., & Carroll, L. (2009). A violent car accident can traumatize the sensitive components of your spine, which can lead to spinal injuries or debilitating back pain. That means, you or your lawyer lawyer cant just write and shout that your case is worth more, or demand more. For mild cervical kyphosis, your provider will recommend nonsurgical treatment. However, an auto accident can worsen existing damage and create a disc herniation. Another study concluded that the loss of normal lordosis represented mechanical derangement of the . When the curve of the spine points toward the front, it's called a lordosis and toward the back, it's called a kyphosis. Car accident verdict with cervical soft tissue injury. In a typical front end or rear end accident, the neck will bounce in both directions forward and then returning to the headrest, or vice-versa. Lets take a moment to look at the various curvatures of the neck. Car accident settlement with cervical disc injury, $100,000 The lawyer has to fight for your case, file a lawsuit, go through depositions, and treat your case like a big case. The cost of physical therapy in that case was a bit over $7,000. A 30 lbs (13.6kg) 3-year-old boy should ride in a booster seat in the rear center seat . A brief explanation of mechanism of neck injuries, and injury types, in car accidents will help you understand your claim. Intervertebral disc disorder with myelopathy; Myelopathy; Myelopathy due to another disorder; Myelopathy secondary; Spinal cord disease A herniated disc occurswhen the gel-like center of the intervertebral disc leaks into the spinal canal. Much like the lower regions of the spine, the neck can also receive spinal cord damage in an auto accident. The party that pays your neck injury settlement depends on which avenue you and your attorney chose to take: an insurance claim or a lawsuit. Throughout the insurance claim or lawsuit process, you must provide a plethora of evidence, give a detailed breakdown of all damages (special and general), and establish liability. san jose state basketball recruiting; 5 types of imagery in the pedestrian. To receive more information or a FREE consultation with one of our Los Angeles attorneys, give us a call, send us an email, or submit the contact form below. The victim sustained serious injuries to his neck and back, which required an anterior cervical discectomy, cervical fusion, and lumbar fusion surgery. $9,500 trial verdict for neck injuries resulting from a minor rear-end accident. A cervical vertebrae injury is the most severe of all spinal cord injuries because the higher up in the spine an injury occurs, the more damage that . Your atlas is also responsible for facilitating movement between your head and neck, meaning it helps your head nod and shake. Thus, how much settlement you can get for your neck injury depends on who is fighting in your corner. Plus, they can handle the claims or lawsuit process so that you can focus on healing. If spinal misalignment elsewhere in your body is affecting your neck curvature, we may administer other adjustments as well. When you go to the hospital following a car accident, they will often do an x-ray. Can a car accident cause straightening of your cervical spine? But achieving a neck injury car accident settlement is not as cut-and-dry as you may think. $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. A fracture can heal in a few months. A chiropractor may also recommend a series of safe and gentle relaxation techniques to help the healing process. A doctor will diagnose your neck injury and can help prevent potential chronic pain and long-term complications from ruining your life. A neck injury caused by hyperextension tends to cause damage predominantly to the soft tissues in your neck. Learn more about how the nature and extent of injuries affects claim value. Whiplash is the rapid movement of the neck and head forward and then returning to the head rest. The man also suffered a mild traumatic brain injury. Secondly, you have a complete reversal of the lordotic curve (x-ray on the right). Since 2012, no other law firm attained more results exceeding $1 million in New York State than Block O'Toole & Murphy. This disruption can make it difficult to move your head, and it can lead to neurological difficulty. In comparison, another client of ours sustained a cervical strain that resulted in only 8 weeks of physical therapy. Immediately after an accident, the symptoms of whiplash may not be apparent. Our auto accident practice includes service in the follow areas: Serving all of Los Angeles, including Arcadia, Beverly Hills, Claremont, Canoga Park, Chino, Chino Hills, Covina, Diamond Bar, Downey, East Pasadena, El Monte, Encino, Highland Park, Inglewood, La Verne, Long Beach, Malibu, Montebello, Monterey Park, North Hollywood, Northridge, Pasadena, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Reseda, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Dimas, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, South Bay, South LA, South Pasadena, Sunland, Tarzana, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, Van Nuys, Venice, West Covina, West Hollywood, and Westlake Village. In the image below are x-rays of a lordotic curve (correct neck curvature) and the gradual loss of lordosis to a straightening or military curve, an eventual reverse curve or Kyphotic curve, and eventual reverse of the reverse curve the S curve signifying cervical spine instability. When this happens, you can feel pain, weakness, tingling and numbness in the neck, shoulders, arms, hands and fingers. Its key to work alongside a car accident lawyer to determine how your neck injury affects your lifetime income. Two reasons why. No fee unless we win. Attorney. In 2012, a 31 year old teacher was driving a car in Boynton Beach when was hit by a car that ran a red light. An attorney is versed in negotiations with the insurance company and trial law, and they can effectively represent you in court. Copyright 2023 attorney advertisement by Injury Advocates Group and licensed, practicing attorney Ray Benyamin, Esquire. Introduction. Journal of Spine Surgery. In Washington, Max Meyers Law can help. The x-ray will not rule out a herniated disc or other discogenic injuries. Loss of cervical lordosis is a diagnostic finding most often seen on MRI reports in association with chronic neck pain. Remember, you can only file one claim for your injuriesyou cant follow up in ten years seeking more compensation because of an inability to work. A 15 lbs (6.8kg) 6-month-old boy should ride in a forward-facing car seat in the rear center seat. Do NOT use this as the average value of YOUR case. To correct a loss of cervical lordosis, the underlying cause must be addressed. 2020 Aug 1;20(8):1229-38. Pedestrian crosswalk accident settlement with cervical disc injury, $660,000 There should be cervical lordosis. The lumbar spine is your lower back, from the bottom of your ribs to your hips. You can recover from your initial symptoms of a whiplash injury within a few weeks of the accident occurring. The process of deterioration makes it nearly impossible for spondylosis to be linked to trauma that is directly caused by car accidents. During a car accident, the rapid forward-backward or side-to-side motion can cause these delicate tissues to stretch or tear. The surrounding ligaments may also be damaged, affecting the individuals range of motion and movement of their joints. Muscle irritations can be caused by disk herniations , muscle sprains, and fractures. Physical therapy, such as neck exercises or traction, may provide pain relief and help restore a normal neck curve. They are inundated with average injury attorneys who will settle your case fast while leaving money on the table. 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. Yes. Pain and suffering are non-economic damage that can significantly increase your accident settlement. C3, C4, and C5 spinal cord injuries can be life-threatening and permanently alter ones lifestyle. This is what the study authors wrote: Whiplash-associated disorder is a common cause of chronic neck pain. Moral of the story the Best Law Firm may not be the Best Law Firm for YOU.. Mechanism of injury is the medical explanation of what happens structurally to your body during a traumatic event which caused your injury. 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. During chiropractic treatment, the qualified chiropractor will ensure that the spine is in proper alignment by making a series of chiropractic adjustments. Hyperextension soft tissue injuries of the cervical spinea review. Having two avenues for filing could increase your settlement amount. However, the association between these variables and pain conditions remains poorly understood. What these researchers did then was to examine all these factors to see if they could figure out what type of problems the curvature of the cervical spine could create in whiplash victims. Tell your doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors everything you are suffering through so they can document it for your case. 38 CFR 4.16 b ( "Extraschedular") - This form of TDIU is for . This isn't my case. In an average car accident case with a relatively minor soft tissue neck or back injury, the accident victim may expect to receive a settlement anywhere between $2,500 and $10,000 from the at-fault driver's insurance company. A muscle is a band of tissue responsible for movement. Neck disc injury cases that result in surgery average over $200,000. Knowing the relationship between this injury and a specific impact type (rear-end accident) can help establish medical causation in your case. Journal of accident & emergency medicine,13(1), 38. Neck injuries range from minor whiplash-like strains and sprains to spinal disk damage and cervical fractures. Individuals with permanent injury may have to undergo cervical fusion surgery or an alternative type of spinal surgery to repair the damage. These fractures typically occur when the upper part of the body is thrown forward while a seat belt restricts the lower half. If your job requires you to stand for hours on end or sit for long periods of time, you may not be able to return to work at all.