I am filing a personal injury claim for a broken vertebrae. How is it valued?

Back injury accident claims may be pursued by victims when they are injured in a motor vehicle accident or a slip and fall. Spinal cord injuries can result in a fracture or dislocation of the vertebrae, causing serious damage to the nerves affecting the brain function.

Neck & Back Injuries—Who is at Fault?

Most back and neck injuries often result in whiplash or herniated discs, but when there are serious injuries affecting the spinal cord, the victim may be permanently injured and totally disabled. If the injuries occurred on the job, the plaintiff may be eligible to file a Worker’s Compensation claim. When injuries are due to the negligence of someone else, the individual may be entitled to collect compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. However, if you contributed to the accident by not adhering to proper safety procedures or some other type of negligent behavior, your damage award may be substantially reduced.

Damage Awards Depend on Injury Severity

The severity of back injuries can vary greatly in the severity, amount of pain and the necessary medical treatment required. The average award for a fractured vertebrae suit resulted in $68,000 in damages. In cases involving multiple vertebrae factures, this award generally increased to over $200,000. Injured victims may be able to obtain punitive damages when the person responsible for the accident acted in a willful or egregious manner, such as driving at a high rate of speed or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which was a direct cause of the accident.

You Are Entitled to Compensation For Your Injuries

People who suffer from debilitating pain from the injuries have a hard time focusing on anything but the pain they are experiencing. By hiring a personal injury attorney to handle your claim, this will allow you to concentrate on getting better, rather than dealing with insurance companies. An experienced personal injury lawyer can evaluate your claim to make sure that you get the compensation you deserve.