When you sustain a neck and back injury because of an auto accident, a workplace mishap, a slip and fall, or another incident in your day-to-day routine, you deserve legal representation to pursue appropriate compensation for your injuries. Let our dedicated team at Ted A. Greve & Associates guide you through what you need to know. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case with an experienced neck and back injury lawyer in Wilmington, NC.
Neck and Back Injuries in Wilmington, NC
Nationwide, 39 percent of adults dealt with back pain of some kind in 2019. Neck and back injuries in Wilmington and throughout North Carolina often lead to significant medical expenses, lost wages, and diminished quality of life. And beyond physical pain, these injuries can affect your ability to enjoy the presence of your loved ones, take part in activities that you used to enjoy, and maintain your overall well-being.
Common Causes of Neck and Back Injuries
In Wilmington, neck and back injuries often result from the following accidents:
Auto Accidents
The busy intersections of College Road, Market Street, and other major thoroughfares in Wilmington see numerous collisions annually. In fact, in one recent year, car accidents caused the second-most injury-related deaths in the state.
Workplace Incidents
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, well over 100,000 workers suffer back injuries that cause them to miss work each year. From the industrial environments near the Port of Wilmington to construction sites throughout New Hanover County, workplace accidents frequently lead to debilitating back injuries.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Property owners in Wilmington have a responsibility to maintain safe premises. Wet floors, uneven sidewalks, and inadequate lighting can lead to falls that can cause serious spinal injuries.
Medical Incidents
Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, and improper treatment can exacerbate existing back conditions or create new injuries.
Types of Neck and Back Injuries
Our neck and back injury attorneys have helped clients with all types of spinal injuries, including the following:
Whiplash
Often resulting from car accidents, whiplash occurs when an impact forcefully jerks the head forward and then backward. Whiplash can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and long-term complications if not properly treated.
Herniated Discs
When the soft cushioning discs between vertebrae rupture or bulge because of trauma in a car accident, they can press on surrounding nerves and cause severe pain, numbness, and weakness. These injuries frequently require surgical intervention and extended recovery periods.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis and often requires lifelong care. In workers’ compensation cases specifically, North Carolina law provides additional compensation for instances of partial or total disability, such as those resulting from neck and back injuries.
Fractures and Compression
Broken vertebrae and compression fractures from high-impact accidents typically require immobilization and sometimes surgical repair.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck and back can cause chronic pain and limited mobility.
The Role of a Neck and Back Injury Lawyer
Do not try to tackle your post-accident legal scenario alone. Not only do North Carolina insurance companies have a history of lowballing victims who do not know how to counteroffer, but most pro se plaintiffs lose their cases.
An experienced neck and back injury lawyer in Wilmington, NC, on the other hand, can help you demand the compensation that you deserve for your accident:
- An attorney can conduct a thorough investigation of your accident, gather critical evidence, collect the official accident reports, put together witness statements, and solicit expert opinions.
- They can counter lowball insurance offers on your behalf.
- They can handle all communications with insurance adjusters and opposing counsel so you can focus entirely on your recovery.
- For cases that they cannot resolve through negotiation, they can use their courtroom experience to effectively present their case to a jury.
Compensation Available for Neck and Back Injuries
By law, victims of neck and back injuries in Wilmington can claim various forms of compensation in a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you succeed in a lawsuit, you can recover compensation to pay for the following costs:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
- Property damage
The exact value of your claim will depend on numerous factors, including the severity of your injuries, your prognosis for recovery, and the impact on your daily life and ability to work.
Steps to Take Following a Neck or Back Injury
Immediately following your neck or back injury in NC, take the following steps to protect your health and legal rights:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you do not feel hurt initially, some neck and back injuries take time to show symptoms, and only a prompt medical evaluation can prevent further complications.
Report the Incident
File reports with the appropriate authorities: Call the police for an auto accident, tell your boss about a workplace injury, or file an incident report with the property manager for a slip and fall accident.
Document Everything
Take photos of any of your visible injuries, as well as of the accident scene. When you start going through official negotiations and treatment plans, keep track of any expenses and receipts.
Follow Medical Advice
Make sure you adhere to any treatment plans prescribed by your healthcare providers.
Consult with an Attorney
Many personal injury lawyers in Wilmington, including those who have substantial experience with neck and back injuries, offer free consultations. Take advantage of them to understand your rights.
Contact Ted A. Greve & Associates for a Free Consultation
You don’t need to brave the pain from a neck or back injury alone: The legal team at Ted A. Greve & Associates brings a combination of medical knowledge and legal understanding to neck and back injury cases in Wilmington. We offer free, no-obligation consultations to make legal representation accessible to all Wilmington residents, regardless of financial circumstances.
Contact Ted A. Greve & Associates by phone today or fill out our online form for a free consultation. We look forward to helping you recover from your injury and get your life back on track.
