Neck and back injuries can have lasting consequences. They can affect your ability to work, enjoy daily activities, and maintain your quality of life.
If someone else's negligence caused your injury – whether in a vehicle accident, workplace incident, or another situation – you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At Brown & Brown, LLP, our attorneys have decades of experience and understand the challenges that come with these types of injuries. We are committed to helping injury victims in St. Louis and Illinois pursue the financial recovery they need to move forward.
Call us at 314-333-3333 or 573-333-3333 for our St. Louis office or or 618-888-8888 if you are in Illinois.
Causes of Neck and Back Injuries
In many cases, the negligence or recklessness of another person or party plays a role in causing mild to severe neck and back injuries. Some specific examples of neck and back injury causes that can involve negligence include (but are not limited to):
- Traffic accidents, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and bicycle accidents
- Work accidents
- Construction accidents
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Defective products or devices
How Do You Calculate Negligence in Neck and Back Injury Cases?
Negligence is generally considered carelessness. It may be intentional or unintentional, but it includes most behaviors that a responsible person would work to avoid under normal circumstances.Â
It is often best to have an attorney investigate the accident to determine whether negligence occurred. This helps establish liability, a key factor in any personal injury claim.
How Can a Neck and Back Injury Impact a Person's Life?
There can be several consequences caused by neck and back injuries. These include:
- Expensive medical treatments
- Ongoing rehabilitation
- The need for adaptive technologies such as wheelchairs
- A temporary or permanent loss of ability, including bowel and bladder control, sexual function, and movement
- The necessity for home modifications such as ramps and handrails
- Untold amounts of personal pain and suffering
Depending on the severity, a neck or back injury may prevent a person from working, engaging in preferred activities, and from full enjoyment of life. This can, in turn, result in an inability to provide for oneself and one's family, serious emotional consequences, a loss of enjoyment in life, and advanced stages of depression and anxiety.
What are the Medical Costs Associated With Neck and Back Injuries?
Medical costs may include:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital admittance for long-term care
- Rehabilitation
- Physical and recreational therapy
- Adaptive technologies
- 24-hour nursing care
Depending on the severity of your injury, full recovery may be impossible. This means you may continue to incur costs for the rest of your life.
How Does an Attorney Build Your Injury Case?
After your initial consultation, your attorney will investigate your accident to determine liability. Once it has been established that you were the victim of someone else's negligence, your case will enter the discovery phase, where witnesses are interviewed, experts are hired to review medical records, and other forms of evidence are gathered.Â
Evidence is used to build a compensation case with actual expenses related to your injury, such as medical bills and your personal pain and suffering.
What is the Average Settlement in a Neck and Back Injury Case?
There is no "average" settlement in personal injury claims. Factors including provable expenses and the long-term consequences of your injury can play a role in your settlement. Still, because these factors vary widely, it is difficult to establish an average.
Brown & Brown has successfully secured significant compensation for many of its clients. The best way to learn what your case is worth is through a one-on-one consultation at our Illinois or St. Louis office.
When Should You Contact an Attorney After a Neck and Back Injury?
Discussing your claim with an attorney is always a good idea, even if you have already been offered a settlement from an insurance company. Once you accept an insurance settlement, you waive your right to seek compensation through legal action. Unless you have spoken with an attorney, you may voluntarily give up your right to seek compensation that is truly in line with the extent of your damages.
Client Testimonial
"I was involved in an accident. I called Brown & Brown because I was worried about if I could handle the situation. They instructed me on the right things to do; they took care of everything. I was paid, the bills were paid, and my car was fixed. I recommend Brown & Brown to anyone."
FAQs
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit for a Neck or Back Injury?
For personal injury claims, including neck and back injuries, Missouri's statute of limitations is five years from the date of the injury.
The statute of limitations in Illinois is two years from the date of the injury.
These time frames can vary based on circumstances, such as the discovery of the injury later or whether the injury involves a government entity. A qualified attorney, like those at Brown & Brown, can ensure you file within the appropriate time limits.
What Are the Key Differences Between Filing an Insurance Claim and a Lawsuit for a Neck or Back Injury?
Insurance claims and lawsuits for a neck or back injury differ in several key ways:
- Process
- Insurance claims involve submitting a claim to the at-fault party's insurance company or your insurance provider. The insurer reviews the claim, negotiates a settlement, and may approve or deny the payout.
- Lawsuits involve filing a legal complaint against the responsible party. This is followed by discovery, depositions, and potentially a trial.
- Timeline
- Insurance claims are generally resolved faster, sometimes within weeks or months.
- Lawsuits can take months or even years, particularly if the case goes to trial.
- Compensation Amount
- Insurance claim settlements are usually limited by the policy's coverage limits. They may not fully account for long-term damages.
- Lawsuits allow for broader compensation. This includes pain and suffering, lost earning potential, and sometimes punitive damages.
- Burden of Proof
- With an insurance claim, the insurer determines liability based on provided evidence, medical records, and expert opinions.
- Lawsuits require presenting evidence in court to prove negligence, damages, and liability, often with the help of legal representation.
Can I File a Lawsuit if a Pre-Existing Condition Aggravated My Neck or Back Injury?
You can file a lawsuit if a pre-existing condition – such as degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, or a prior spinal injury – aggravated your neck or back injury.
To succeed in your case, you'll need to show that:
- The accident or incident worsened your existing neck or back condition.
- The aggravation resulted in additional pain, medical treatment, or disability beyond what you already experienced.
- The responsible party's negligence had a direct effect on your condition.
Insurance companies may deny or try to reduce your claim by arguing that your pain or symptoms existed before the accident. Medical records play a critical role in differentiating between your prior condition and the new or worsened injury. You may also need expert testimony from doctors to clarify how the accident contributed to your current condition.
Why Choose Brown & Brown, LLP?
Brown & Brown, LLP, has been a trusted advocate for injury victims in St. Louis and Illinois for over 30 years. Founded by brothers Dan and Ed Brown, the firm is committed to making a meaningful difference in their clients' lives.
With a deep understanding of neck and back injury cases, Brown & Brown, LLP, has helped thousands of clients secure justice and fair compensation. Their experience, dedication, and client-first approach ensure strong representation against insurance companies and negligent parties.
Call Brown & Brown, LLP, for Your Neck & Back Injury Case!
When negligence plays a role in causing back and neck injuries, those who have been injured may be entitled to compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, permanent disabilities, and mental anguish. The attorneys at Brown & Brown, LLP, can review your case for free.
If you have suffered a neck or back injury, call Brown & Brown in St. Louis by dialing the 3s (314-333-3333 / 573-333-3333) or in Illinois by dialing the 8s (618-888-8888) for service in Illinois. You can also fill out the form on our contact page for your appointment!
