Virginia residents can easily suffer a neck injury in a slip-and-fall accident, car accident, or workplace accident. In some instances, neck injuries are apparent soon after the accident takes place. Victims of severe car accidents can “break their neck” or fracture one of the vertebrae in the neck region. Other times, the severity of the neck injury becomes apparent a few days or weeks after the damage takes place. When an accident occurs, the shock of the crash can cause the injured person not to feel the full extent of the pain caused by a neck injury. Over time, individuals who suffer from neck injuries may feel more stiffness and nagging pain.
If another party’s negligent or reckless behavior caused the victim’s neck injury, the victim might be entitled to compensation for his or her injuries. At Surovell Isaacs & Levy PLC, our Northern Virginia personal injury attorneys have helped many clients recover compensation for their neck injuries. Our skilled attorneys thoroughly review the facts of our clients’ cases and assess all relevant legal options. We help our clients create a strategy to pursue all of the compensation to which they may be entitled. To learn about how our Northern Virginia neck injury attorneys can help you, contact our law firm to schedule your free initial case evaluation.
A Neck Injury Caused by a Car Accident
Neck injuries can result from nearly any type of accident. A person’s neck is particularly susceptible to injury. Strain, whiplash, and the forceful impact can all cause moderate to severe neck injuries. Car accidents are one of the most common causes of neck injuries. In a motor vehicle collision, the force of the impact can cause whiplash, where a victim’s neck and head fly forward and then slam back against the headrest.
Even when passengers are wearing a seatbelt, their necks are susceptible to severe injury during a collision. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists are all at risk of neck injuries, especially those who are not wearing a helmet.
Slip and Fall Neck Injuries
Slip and fall injuries are another common cause of neck injuries. It is easy for people who slip and fall to hit their head and neck on a shelf or other stationary object when they fall. In other instances, a person’s neck can twist awkwardly and cause soft tissue and tendon injury to neck muscles. Those who suffer a neck injury may be entitled to compensation when another person or company’s negligence caused the accident.
Nursing Home Injuries
Nursing home staff members have a duty to take reasonable care of their patients. Staff members must take the proper precautions when transferring a patient from his chair to his bed. When a patient slips and falls on the floor, the nursing home may be liable for the injuries. Similarly, businesses have a duty to take reasonable care to make their premises safe for customers. When a customer slips in a puddle of liquid, the company may be liable for the neck injury suffered by the customer in the slip and fall.
Sports and Recreational Accidents
Professional and amateur athletes are susceptible to neck injuries. Athletes who have inadequate protective equipment can suffer serious neck injuries, especially when playing contact sports, such as:
- Football
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Lacrosse
- Roller skating
- Skateboarding
- Hockey
- Riding ATV
When a neck comes into contact with blunt force, such as another athlete, object, or the floor, the neck could become injured.
Medical or Paramedic Malpractice Can Cause a Neck Injury
First responders who negligently treat patients can cause or exacerbate neck injuries. If an injured party suffered a neck injury and a paramedic negligently bumped the neck or failed to put on a neck brace, the paramedic may have caused new injuries. Similarly, doctors, physical therapists, and other medical professionals must use reasonable care when treating patients with neck injuries may be liable for the injuries they cause.
Different Types of Neck Injuries
Human necks consist of seven vertebrae or bones. Ligaments, muscles, and tendons help support the neck and send signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Neck vertebrae protect the spinal cord, which is an extensive network of nerves. Anytime a person experiences a hard blow to the neck, a jolt, or a significant impact, the neck area is at risk of suffering an injury.
Herniated Discs
Herniated discs are one of the most common neck injuries. Though common, herniated discs can cause severe pain and a lack of mobility in severe cases. When the tissue between the spinal vertebrae becomes compressed or injured, the disc can rupture or bulge. When a disc is damaged, it could place pressure on the nerves surrounding the disc, causing pain, irritation, and loss of function. Treating herniated discs can take a significant amount of time and money, depending on the severity of the injury.
Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis
When the spinal cord becomes damaged in the neck area, the injured person might suffer paralysis in the trunk, arms, or legs, depending on where the spinal cord is damaged. Injured parties who suffer neck injuries may also suffer from varying types of loss of movement and feeling.
Blood Vessel Damage
When blood vessels in the neck become damaged due to a neck injury, the damage can prevent the flow of blood to and from the brain. Blood vessel damage can cause blood clots and possibly cause the victim to suffer stroke-like symptoms. Similarly, lacerations to the neck or arteries sustained in an injury could cause severe injuries or even death.
Compensation Available for Neck Injury Victims
When another person’s negligence or recklessness causes a neck injury, the victim may be entitled to compensation under North Virginia law. Successful personal injury plaintiffs are entitled to the following types of compensation:
- Loss of past and future income and earning capacity
- Medical and therapy expenses
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
- Punitive damages when the defendant engaged in willful or wanton conduct
Our Neck Injury Attorneys Can Help
If you’ve suffered a severe neck injury caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. At Surovell Isaacs & Levy PLC, we’ve helped many clients recover compensation for their neck injuries. Contact our law firm today to learn how our personal injury attorneys can help you.