Peoria Back / Spine Injury Lawyer

Back and spine injuries can be debilitating and significantly impact an accident victim’s quality of life. If you or a loved one suffered a back or spine injury due to someone’s negligent, careless, or reckless actions, you might be entitled to compensation to help in your recovery.

At Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., our dedicated team of Peoria back injury lawyers has the skill and resources to pursue a positive outcome in your case. Our attorneys have decades of combined legal experience helping injury victims to seek justice. We are here to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Contact our Peoria back/spine injury lawyers today to get started with a consultation.

How Common Are Back and Spine Injuries?

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, approximately 17,700 new spinal cord injuries occur each year in the United States. The International Association for the Study of Pain found that about 577 million people globally suffer from lower back pain.

What Are Common Scenarios of Back and Spine Injuries?

Back and spine injuries can happen for a variety of reasons. As we have seen at Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., some of the most common causes of these injuries are:

• Slip-and-fall accidents —These accidents occur when someone slips, trips, or falls due to hazardous conditions on someone’s property. Wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poorly lit stairways can easily lead to dangerous falls. These accidents can cause various back and spine injuries, from sprains and strains to more severe injuries like fractures and spinal cord injuries.
• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents — Motor vehicle accidents can cause back and spine injuries due to the force of the impact, including whiplash and spinal fractures. Accidents involving larger vehicles such as trucks can be particularly dangerous due to their increased size and weight. Motorcycle riders face a heightened risk of back and spine injuries due to their lack of structural protection in a crash.
• Medical malpractice — Back and spine injuries can also occur due to medical malpractice such as surgical errors, misdiagnoses, or failure to properly treat an existing condition.

How Are Back and Spine Injuries Classified?

Back and spine injuries can be classified based on the severity and type of injury. One standard classification system used in the medical field is the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale. This scale evaluates the degree of sensory and motor function loss among patients with back and spine injuries.

The scale ranges from normal to complete impairment, as follows:

• A — Complete impairment, meaning no sensory or motor function is preserved.
• B — Incomplete impairment, meaning sensory function is preserved, but there is no motor function below the neurological level of injury.
• C — Incomplete impairment, meaning motor function is preserved below the neurological level of injury.
• D — Incomplete impairment, meaning motor function is preserved below the neurological level of injury, and more than half of key muscles have active movement.
• E — Motor and sensory function is normal.

 What Are Short-Term Symptoms and Long-Term Consequences of Back and Spine Injuries?

Symptoms of a back or spine injury can vary depending on the severity of the injury and the location of the injury. Common short-term symptoms include:

• Pain in the back
• Weakness or numbness
• Tingling or pins and needles sensation
• Swelling and inflammation
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Loss of sensation in extremities.

Long-term consequences of a back or spine injury can include chronic pain, nerve damage, paralysis, and loss of mobility. These injuries can also lead to emotional and psychological trauma and a loss of quality of life if the injuries interfere with daily activities.

What Compensation Can I Recover for Back and Spine Injuries?

If you suffer from back and spine injuries, the compensation you may be entitled to recover can vary widely. It depends on the specific details of your case. However, some common types of compensation include:

• Medical expenses — This can include the cost of all necessary medical treatment related to your injury, such as surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and any ongoing medical care that you may require.
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity — If your injuries have caused you to miss work and lose income, you may be able to recover the wages that you’ve lost as a result. This can also include future lost earnings if your injuries cause a long-term impact on your ability to work.
• Pain and suffering — This type of compensation can be more challenging to quantify, but it can be used to address the physical and emotional pain and trauma that you have experienced as a result of your injuries.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Peoria?

In Arizona, the statute of limitations gives you just two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim. Two years may sound like plenty of time. However, building a robust case can take weeks or months. You should speak to an experienced Peoria back and spine injury attorney immediately to ensure you do not miss the two-year deadline. Otherwise, your lawsuit will likely be dismissed in court. You could lose your chance to seek compensation in court.

Contact a Peoria, AZ Back/Spinal Injury Lawyer

If you have suffered a back or spine injury in an accident through no fault of your, you should seek legal representation as soon as possible. A Peoria, AZ, back/spinal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and guide you through the legal process. At Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., we are ready to help you to get through this difficult time.

We will work tirelessly to seek the compensation you deserve to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses caused by your back or spine injury. Contact us today for an initial consultation to learn more about your legal rights and discuss how we can assist you.