Spinal Cord & Back Injuries
Spinal cord and back injuries can be among the most serious consequences of an accident. Damage to the vertebrae, discs, nerves, muscles, ligaments, or spinal cord can cause chronic pain, reduced mobility, weakness, loss of sensation, and, in severe cases, partial or complete paralysis.
These injuries frequently occur in car and truck accidents, falls, construction accidents, workplace incidents, and other traumatic events. Some people recover with treatment and rehabilitation, while others face permanent disabilities and require medical care and assistance for the rest of their lives.
At The Law Office of Todd I. Siegel, we represent individuals and families throughout New Jersey who have suffered serious spinal cord and back injuries because of another party's negligence.
Common Types of Back and Spinal Injuries
The spine is made up of vertebrae, discs, nerves, ligaments, muscles, and the spinal cord. Trauma to any of these structures can result in significant pain and functional limitations.
Common injuries include:
Herniated discs
Bulging discs
Ruptured discs
Vertebral fractures
Compression fractures
Spinal cord injuries
Nerve compression
Lumbar and cervical strains
Ligament injuries
Sciatica
Disc injuries
Spinal stenosis aggravated by trauma
Partial or complete paralysis
Other injuries causing chronic back or neck pain
The seriousness of a spinal injury depends on the location and extent of the damage and whether the spinal cord or surrounding nerves are involved.
What Causes Spinal Cord and Back Injuries?
A back or spinal injury can occur when the body experiences a sudden impact, twisting motion, compression, or other significant force.
Common causes include:
Car accidents
Truck accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
Slip and fall accidents
Falls from heights
Construction accidents
Workplace accidents
Falling objects
Crush injuries
Sports and recreational accidents
Defective products
Other traumatic incidents
Determining how the injury occurred is an important part of identifying who may be legally responsible for the resulting harm.
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries From Car Accidents
Motor vehicle collisions can place substantial force on the spine. Even when a person does not directly strike an object inside the vehicle, the sudden movement caused by an impact can damage discs, muscles, ligaments, vertebrae, and nerves.
Serious crashes may cause:
Herniated or bulging discs
Vertebral fractures
Lumbar injuries
Cervical injuries
Nerve damage
Spinal cord compression
Spinal cord damage
Paralysis
Some symptoms appear immediately, while others may become more noticeable in the hours or days following a collision.
For certain New Jersey automobile accident claims subject to the limitation-on-lawsuit threshold, establishing a qualifying permanent injury requires objective medical evidence rather than subjective complaints of pain alone.
Herniated and Bulging Discs
Discs sit between the vertebrae and help cushion the spine. Trauma can cause a disc to bulge, rupture, or herniate.
When displaced disc material presses against a nerve, symptoms can extend beyond the injured area of the spine.
A herniated disc in the lower back may cause:
Lower back pain
Pain extending into the buttocks or legs
Numbness or tingling
Muscle weakness
Difficulty standing or walking
Sciatic nerve pain
A disc injury in the cervical spine may cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness extending into the shoulders, arms, or hands.
Treatment can range from physical therapy and medication to injections or spinal surgery.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal cord carries signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Damage to the spinal cord can interfere with movement, sensation, and other bodily functions below the location of the injury.
A spinal cord injury may be classified as complete or incomplete.
A complete injury generally involves the loss of sensory and motor function below the affected area. With an incomplete injury, some movement or sensation may remain.
The consequences depend heavily on where the spinal cord is damaged and how severe the injury is.
Paralysis Caused by Spinal Cord Injuries
Severe spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis.
Depending on the location and extent of the damage, an injured person may lose movement or sensation in part of the body. Injuries higher on the spine, in the neck area, can affect the arms, hands, trunk, and legs, while injuries lower on the spine may primarily affect the legs.
Paralysis may be described as:
Paraplegia, which generally affects the lower body
Tetraplegia or quadriplegia, which can affect the arms, hands, trunk, and legs
Partial paralysis, where some movement or feeling remains
Paralysis can change nearly every part of a person's life, including mobility, independence, employment, relationships, and the ability to care for oneself.
Symptoms of a Serious Spine Injury
Symptoms after an accident vary depending on which structures were damaged.
Possible signs of a serious back or spinal injury include:
Severe back or neck pain
Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
Weakness in the arms or legs
Loss of movement
Loss of sensation
Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Difficulty breathing
An oddly positioned head or back
Symptoms involving weakness, numbness, paralysis, or loss of bladder or bowel control can indicate a medical emergency. A person who may have suffered a serious spinal injury should receive immediate emergency care and should avoid unnecessary movement.
Diagnosing Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
Medical professionals may use several methods to determine the nature and extent of a spinal injury.
Depending on the circumstances, evaluation may include:
Physical and neurological examination
X-rays
CT scans
MRI scans
Nerve testing
Evaluation by a spine specialist, neurologist, or other physician
Medical documentation can become especially important in a personal injury claim. In certain New Jersey automobile cases involving the limitation-on-lawsuit threshold, establishing a qualifying permanent injury requires objective medical evidence.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury.
Less severe back injuries may be treated with:
Rest and activity modification
Medication
Physical therapy
Chiropractic or other conservative care
Injections
Pain management
More serious injuries may require:
Emergency stabilization
Spinal fusion or other spine surgery
Disc replacement or decompression surgery
Intensive care
Long-term rehabilitation
Occupational and physical therapy
Assistive devices such as braces or wheelchairs
Rehabilitation after a serious spinal cord injury can continue for months or years.
Long-Term Effects of Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
Not every spinal injury resolves completely. Some people experience symptoms for years or for the rest of their lives.
Long-term effects may include:
Chronic back or neck pain
Nerve pain
Reduced mobility
Muscle weakness
Paralysis
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Difficulty sitting, standing, or walking
Inability to perform physical work
Need for ongoing medical treatment
Loss of independence
A person who suffers a severe spinal cord injury may require medical care, equipment, home modifications, and personal assistance for the remainder of their life.
The Lifetime Cost of a Serious Spinal Injury
A catastrophic spinal injury can create financial needs that extend far beyond the initial hospitalization.
Future expenses may include:
Ongoing medical treatment
Rehabilitation and therapy
Prescription medications
Wheelchairs and other assistive equipment
Home and vehicle modifications
Personal care attendants
Lost future earning capacity
For individuals with permanent disabilities, accurately evaluating these future needs can be an important part of pursuing a personal injury claim.
Pre-Existing Back Conditions
Many people already have degenerative disc disease, arthritis, or earlier back problems before an accident occurs.
A prior condition does not necessarily mean a new accident caused no additional harm. A collision or fall may aggravate a condition that had not previously caused significant symptoms. However, causation can become an important issue when a person has a documented history of back problems, so medical records and imaging from before and after the accident can be important evidence.
Proving a Spinal Cord or Back Injury Claim
Claims involving spinal injuries can require extensive medical documentation.
Evidence may include:
Emergency room and hospital records
MRI, CT, and other imaging
Surgical records
Neurological evaluations
Rehabilitation records
Medical bills
Employment and income records
Witness statements
Expert medical opinions
Evidence concerning future care and treatment
Compensation for a Spinal Cord or Back Injury
When another party's negligence causes a serious spinal or back injury, the injured person may be entitled to pursue compensation for the resulting losses.
Depending on the circumstances, damages may include:
Past and future medical expenses
Surgery and rehabilitation
Lost wages
Reduced future earning capacity
Long-term personal care
Assistive equipment and home modifications
Pain and suffering
Permanent disability
Loss of enjoyment of life
Other damages available under New Jersey law
The value of a claim depends on factors including the severity of the injury, the treatment required, whether the injury is permanent, and how it affects the person's ability to work and perform everyday activities.
How Long Do You Have to File a Spinal Injury Claim in New Jersey?
In general, New Jersey personal injury actions are subject to a two-year statute of limitations, although exceptions and different rules can apply depending on the circumstances.
Claims involving government entities, minors, medical malpractice, or other circumstances may involve additional requirements or different deadlines. Because evidence can become harder to obtain over time, individuals who believe another party caused their injury should consider speaking with an attorney promptly.
Contact a New Jersey Spinal Cord and Back Injury Lawyer
A serious spinal cord or back injury can change a person's life in an instant, and families often face difficult medical, financial, and personal decisions while trying to understand what happened.
For more than 30 years, The Law Office of Todd I. Siegel has represented injured individuals and families throughout New Jersey. Our firm investigates serious accidents, reviews the medical evidence surrounding our clients' injuries, and helps them pursue the compensation available when another party's negligence causes preventable harm.
If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord or back injury because of another party's negligence, contact The Law Office of Todd I. Siegel to discuss your case and learn more about your legal options.
