Neck and back injuries can be severely debilitating and are often the result of a serious accident or a bad fall. Sometimes, those accidents can be the cause of someone else’s negligent behavior. In this case, you can pursue legal action against them in an attempt to recoup the damages you suffered from the accident. If you have injured your neck and/or back, you may wish to enlist an attorney’s help, as well as know the average neck and back injury settlement in California.
What Is the Average Neck and Back Injury Settlement in California?
Since every neck and back injury case is different, every settlement amount will also be different. There is no official, truly reliable way to determine the average for a neck and back injury settlement.
A neck and back injury can be catastrophic, depending on the situation. Catastrophic injuries have permanent or long-term effects. For instance, some neck and back injuries involving spinal cord damage could cause permanent paralysis. If your injury is catastrophic, you should get a larger settlement to cover the immense costs, from the psychological impact to the financial consequences.
In any case, a settlement will have to accurately reflect the victim’s quality of life and medical costs. However, other factors will also have to be taken into consideration when determining an appropriate amount. Some of the factors that may be considered during settlement negotiations will be:
- The seriousness of your neck and back injury
- Your lawyer’s negotiation abilities
- Any evidence that proves the defendant’s liability
- Any of your medical costs
- Any lost wages you have not earned due to the injury
- Any future earnings you may miss out on due to the injury
Common Causes of Neck and Back Pain and/or Injury
Neck and back pain is quite common, though it is often a direct result of a severe accident, such as a serious car accident or a bad fall. The exact nature and overall cause of neck and back pain can be difficult to determine in extreme cases, as the pain can be considerably vague and of indeterminate cause. Here are some of the more common causes of neck and back pain that afflict people every day:
- Repetitive Stress Injuries: Performing the same physical tasks day after day can put undue stress on your neck and back, which can lead to muscle spasms or strains.To ease the effect of repetitive stress injuries, you may want to consider taking momentary breaks from physical activity each day or applying cold compresses to the affected area a few times a day. Even sitting down for prolonged periods without moving can cause stress injuries in the neck and back.
- Severe Trauma: A neck and back injury is one of the most common injuries that results from car, motorcycle, bicycle, and truck accidents. The neck and back are quite vulnerable to injury, especially in the event of sudden and severe trauma. If you have been injured in a car accident, you may want to consider seeing a medical professional, who might be able to diagnose a neck and back injury if one has occurred.
- Herniated Disk: Sometimes, a sudden injury to the spine can result in a herniated disk, also called a slipped disk. This happens when one of the spinal disks in between the vertebrae is jostled out of place. This can result in serious pain, numbness, or feelings of weakness in the limbs. If you are diagnosed with a herniated disk and your pain persists, you may want to seek additional medical care.
A back or neck injury could result from a premises liability, motor vehicle, pedestrian, or bicycle accident.
FAQs
Q: How Much Is the Average Settlement for a Back Injury in California?
A: There is no reliable way to determine the average settlement for a back injury in California. Every back injury case is different, which means the settlement amount will also be different. It is important to consider many distinct factors when negotiating a settlement offer, such as the seriousness of your injuries, the amount you have spent on medical bills, both parties’ willingness to reach a compromise, and the amount of evidence proving that the defendant caused your injuries.
Q: How Much Compensation Can I Get for Whiplash and Back Pain in California?
A: Compensation for whiplash and back pain in California varies greatly on a case-to-case basis. Each back pain case will have its own specific circumstances, as well as certain factors that need to be considered before reaching an appropriate settlement amount. A severe case of whiplash and serious back injuries like paralysis will most likely result in larger settlements.
Q: What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
A: Whiplash is an injury that sometimes happens after a car accident. It is the result of strained neck muscles being whipped violently around. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Persistent headaches at the base of the skull
- Overwhelming dizziness or a loss of focus
- Fatigue or difficulty sleeping
- Frequent pain in the shoulders, back, and arms
- Blurred vision
- Loss of memory
- Persistent ringing in the ears
Q: How Do You Treat a Neck and Back Injury?
A: There are many ways to treat neck and back injuries, but the most reliable one is rest. Combining rest with cold compresses and elevation can help your injury heal smoothly. You will want to do whatever you can to reduce any swelling and alleviate any persistent pain. If home remedies don’t seem to be working, you should reach out to a medical professional and see if there is anything more you can do.
Consult With a Neck and Back Injury Lawyer Today
A severe injury to your neck and back can negatively impact your quality of life. If your injury was the result of someone else’s negligent behavior, you may want to file a personal injury claim with the goal of being properly compensated. Easton & Easton can help you establish a pattern of negligence and pursue a settlement that covers the economic and non-economic damages you’ve suffered. Contact us to make an appointment with one of our talented team members.
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