Back Injury Lawsuits: Damages and Settlements
Back injury lawsuits generally involve larger settlements than other types of personal injury lawsuits. This is because back injuries may require extensive or ongoing treatment and can have a significant impact on the victim’s quality of life. If you suffered a back injury in an accident in or near Provo, UT, attorney Lynn C. Harris can help. You need experienced legal counsel to ensure all your medical costs and other expenses are met with an adequate settlement.
Types of Back Injuries
The type of back injury suffered will impact the amount of compensation you can receive. However, even non-paralyzing injuries can have a long-term impact on your mobility and quality of life. As such, settlements in back injury lawsuits are often higher - even for less severe injuries. Some common types of back injuries for which we can pursue compensation include:
- Spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis
- Herniated disc
- Ruptured or bulging disc
- Pinched nerve
Damages in Back Injury Lawsuits
While the damages in a back injury lawsuit are not all that different from any other personal injury suit, it can be more complicated to calculate them. The long-term effects of these injuries and the need for ongoing medical treatment make these cases more complex. Complicating the issue further, victims with a previous back injury may receive a lower settlement.
Below are some of the damages Mr. Harris can pursue for back injury victims.
- Medical Expenses: Victims of back injuries, even less severe ones, may rack up medical bills. Advanced (and expensive) imaging like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans may all be necessary to diagnose a back injury. Minor injuries may require extensive physical therapy. Even then, the victim may still have limited mobility and ongoing pain. Those with paralysis have even more medical expenses, as they may require a wheelchair or the assistance of an in-home nurse.
- Loss of Income: A back injury can hinder a victim’s earning potential. Victims with more physically demanding jobs may be unable to return to those positions, even with less severe injuries. This could result in a pay cut, job loss, or career change. Victims with paralysis may never have the ability to return to work.
- Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering damages are included in most personal injury suits. In back injury lawsuits, these damages may cover the ongoing pain that affects a victim’s day-to-day life. It may also cover the suffering a paralyzed victim must endure.
- Lowered Quality of Life: Even minor back injuries can affect a victim’s quality of life. They may be unable to play catch with their children or participate in activities they used to love. Victims of paralysis have an even more degraded quality of life for which they must be compensated.
Schedule a Consultation
If you or a loved one was hurt in a serious accident resulting in a back injury, contact our law firm to schedule a consultation. Mr. Harris can provide you with the strong legal representation needed to secure maximum compensation.
