California Back Injury Case Lawyer

The California Back Injury Case Lawyers of Bisnar Chase understand that suffering from a severe back injury can be devastating. Millions of spinal cord injury victims find themselves unable to work or worse; paralyzed. Lost wages, loss of consortium and medical expenses must be compensated for if there is any chance of recovery.

Our exceptional legal representation guarantees that if there is no win there is no fee. For the past 40 years, the law firm of Bisnar Chase has held a 96% success rate in wins for damages back injury victims have faced. With six highly-rated lawyers and a determined litigation team, Bisnar Chase's California Back Injury Case Attorneys have collected over $500 Million dollars in compensation for our clients.

If you or someone you know has endured pain and suffering due to a back injury, spinal cord injury or serious neck injury, Call 800-561-4887. Upon your call, you will receive a free consultation with one of our experienced injury attorneys. You do not have to go up against insurance companies and negligent parties alone. Contact us today.

What Is the Function of the Spinal Cord?

The spinal cord is the pathway shared by the brain and the body. The brain transmits signals through the spinal cord and sends the messages to the body for movement. Bones and clear fluid, otherwise known as cerebral spinal fluid, surround the spinal cord as a means of protection.

There are five main regions that make up the spinal cord:

1. Neck (cervical)
2. Chest (thoracic)
3. Abdominal (lumbar)
4. Pelvic (sacral)
5. Tail-bone (coccygeal)

If any of these spinal nerves are damaged, it can cost a victim their ability to be mobile.

Causes of Back Injuries

In the United States, over 17,000 people fall victim to serious or catastrophic back injuries. About 38% of these victims have endured spinal cord injuries from a car accident. These spinal injuries occur in a vehicle crash because of the impact on the head and back.

Other causes of spinal cord injuries are:

• Violence: According to Peace Alliance, over 1.6 million deaths are a result of violence. Violence encompasses anything relating to physical, emotional, psychological or sexual abuse.
• Surgical complications: When a spinal cord surgery is performed, there is always a slight chance there might be an error. If one of the nerves in the spine are damaged this can lead the patient to be paralyzed.
• Falls: The National Spinal Cord Injury Database reports that spinal cord injuries from slip and falls have increased for the past four decades. Usually, the population that suffers the most harm to the spine as a result of falls are elderly people.
• Sports: Although helmets and protective gear are available to athletes, it does not always prevent them from having serious spinal cord injuries. Athletes that are involved in sports such as football, hockey or gymnastics have an increased chance of suffering from a serious back injury.

The Settlement for Workers' Compensation

Almost 74% of people who have experienced a back injury have received an average amount of $23,000 dollars for workers compensation. When an employee is injured in the duration of a company's employment, this is known as workers' compensation.

Usually, after the employee has been severely injured, the workers' compensation insurance of the employer will cover the medical expenses and/or lost wages the employee has endured. If an employer does not acquire insurance, the employee can pursue a lawsuit against the employer.

In the state of California, an employee has up to five years to file a workers comp. claim.

Complete vs Incomplete Back Injuries

To determine if a spinal cord injury is complete or incomplete is based on how much damage has been inflicted to the spine. One of the factors that contribute to a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury is where the impairment has taken place.

Complete and incomplete back injuries are classified as the following:

Complete Back Injury: A complete spinal cord injury is when a nerve/nerves in the spine are completely damaged. If a nerve along the spine has been completely impaired this can disrupt the signals that go to and from the brain to the body, unfortunately, leaving a person paralyzed.

Incomplete Back Injury: When the spine has suffered some harm to the nerves but is still able to feel sensation in their body and still has the ability to move, this is known as an incomplete back injury. The amount of movement that a person can display differs from person-to-person.

The aftermath of a spinal cord injury can be irreversible. The type of back injury you have will determine your recovery. There are three main spinal cord injuries that are common.

3 Common spinal cord injuries:

1. Tetraplegia: Injuries of this magnitude involve the inability of having any sensation or control of the body from the neck down. Another term that is commonly used to describe this type of spinal injury is known as quadriplegia.
2. Paraplegia: When a patient looses any feeling from the lower part of the body this is known as paraplegia. Usually when the thoracic area of the spinal cord is damaged this level of paralysis may be the end result.
3. Triplegia: Triplegia is when one arm and both legs lose sensation or the ability to move. This can be an outcome from an incomplete injury.

Dealing with Long Term Back Injuries

Studies show that 11%-40% of Americans suffer from chronic back pain. Chronic back pain is discomfort in the lower back that continues for more than 12 weeks. The pain level of lower back pain can vary from person-to-person, but there are three predominately types of chronic back pain.

3 Common types of lower back pain:

1. Sciatica: Pain that creeps in from the lower back and travels down the leg is usually one of the symptoms of a sciatic nerve injury. The sciatic nerve, which is located in the lower part of the spine, becomes painful when it is irritated. It can be difficult to sit or walk as well. Treatment for this type of pain includes putting ice or warm compressions on the lower back, pain prescriptions or epidural steroid injections.
2. Slipped or bulging disc: Discs in the spine hold the important role of absorbing shock and supporting the upper body for movement. Disc degeneration comes with age or when severe pressure is inflicted upon the lower part of the spine. Most people who have suffered from a herniated disc are from the ages 35-50. Recovery comes from physical therapy, spinal manipulations or if needed, surgery.
3. Arthritis: Stiffness in the morning or a tingling and numbness sensation in the spine can be due to spinal arthritis. Arthritis in the lower back is common among people 45 years and older. If a young person is suffering from this type of lower back pain it is due to trauma or a genetic disorder. Acupuncture, medications and strengthening exercises are used as treatment.

The Road to Recovery After a Back Injury

Waking up from an accident and discovering that you have lost sensation in parts of your body can be confusing and terrifying. Most patients that realize that they are paralyzed find themselves in disbelief. The road to recovery and the treatment that follows is one that consists of hardship and requires commitment.

Below are options that a patient can take to begin the emotional and physical healing process:

Enrolling in recovery programs: Physical therapy, participating in exercises that enhance skill development and speaking to a counselor can serve as an outlet for psychological, emotional and social support. It is vital that close relatives partake in these programs to better understand and help their loved one.

Meeting and working with specialists: The team that is involved in the treatment program is very important. Team members are usually organized by a case worker and includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, counselors, nurses, at-home caretakers and nutritionists.

Engaging in recreational activities: In order to improve and sustain a satisfying quality of life, recreational activities that do not include watching television or staying sedentary are significant. Leisure time should be spent delving into new interest or recreational sports such as bowling, hunting, flying or dancing.

Damages That Can Be Compensated in a Back Injury Case

Spinal cord injuries are permanent and can prevent a survivor of carrying out daily tasks. Family members that are affected may need aid to care for their loved one. Although a cure for a spinal cord injury does not exist, seeking damages for a third party's negligence will greatly help family members and spinal cord injury survivors in their recovery.

Spinal cord injury survivors may be compensated for:

• Medical costs
• Loss of wages
• Loss of consortium
• At-home care and assistance
• Pain and suffering

Hire the Back Injury Experts to Be on Your Side

The law firm of Bisnar Chase believes that accident victims should not have to pay out-of-pocket for someone else's carelessness. Our California Back Injury Case Lawyers guarantee to produce an outstanding result and if there is no win there is no fee.

Your injury should not stop you from having a full and happy life. Call the California back injury case attorneys of Bisnar Chase and receive a free case analysis.Contact (949) 203-3814 and learn more about exploring your legal rights.

Call 949-203-3814 or contact us.

Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys 1301 Dove St. #120 Newport Beach, CA 92660