After falling, some people don’t immediately realize they are hurt. Instead, they feel “okay” or maybe a little shaken when they get back to their feet. Over the ensuing days, however, they notice back pain; and this pain soon progresses to become disabling.
At Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers can meet to discuss whether you have a legal claim for a slip and fall accident. We can also estimate the value of your injury so that you do not accept insufficient compensation. Call to schedule a consultation.
Back Pain Has Many Causes
The human back is complicated—one of the most complicated regions on the body. Muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bone all come together, and any traumatic injury can lead to pain. When someone slips, they can “wrench” their back when they twist to stay on their feet, or they can slam their back into the ground.
Some common injuries include:
- Lumbar sprains and strains. The muscles, ligaments, or tendons in the back could be stretched too far, resulting in a sprain or strain. You might notice swelling in your back, as well as chronic pain.
- Herniated discs. Rubbery discs provide cushion between the vertebrae in the spinal column. But any traumatic injury can damage discs, pushing them out of alignment or causing the soft center to push through the outer shell and possibly against nerves. Herniated discs often lead to constant, throbbing pain.
- Spinal stenosis. A bad fall can damage the spinal column and lead to a narrowing of the spinal channel. The narrowing canal will put pressure on the spinal cord, resulting in pain and possibly impairment.
- Vertebral fracture. A small crack in the vertebrae is called spondylolysis. The pain usually radiates from the crack throughout the lower back region and to the legs.
- Dislocation of vertebrae. The vertebrae should line up, but a violent fall can cause one or more to become dislocated. This is a dramatic injury which deserves immediate medical attention so that the spine is stabilized before the cord is damaged.
- Spinal cord injury. The cord itself might be injured in a fall. The vertebrae should be sufficiently strong to provide protection from a minor fall. But someone who falls from more than one story could end up damaging the cord due to the force of impact. Results are catastrophic: impaired movement and sensation, if not outright paralysis, below the site of injury.
All back injuries are painful, and slip-and-fall victims usually struggle to sit up on their own or even stand unassisted. Work is extremely difficult, even for those with desk jobs. As soon as you feel any pain, go to the hospital.
These back injuries are often hard to diagnose. You might simply feel pain and not know the cause. Go to a doctor, who can order imaging tests to look at the spinal column.
Is There Hope? Treatment for Common Back Injuries
After diagnosis, your medical team will identify the best (and least disruptive) treatment to promote healing. Many patients immediately start conservative treatment to help manage pain and inflammation. But catastrophic injuries will probably send someone immediately to the operating room.
Reducing Swelling and Back Pain
Your doctor will try to reduce swelling using medication or corticosteroid shots. Relieving pain makes someone immediately more comfortable and can aid in recovery by allowing a full night’s rest. However, reducing swelling might not be enough to fix your back injury.
Rehabbing an Injury
Physical therapy can help strengthen the spine and restore a patient’s range of movement. When successful, physical therapy can reduce a person’s pain completely and without need for additional medication. However, many patients have physical therapy in conjunction with steroid shots.
Physical therapy is expensive–$150 or more per session. This medical cost will add up if you need ongoing therapy.
Operating on the Spinal Column
Sometimes surgery is unavoidable. For example, a damaged disc will not heal itself. Instead, you might need to replace it with an artificial disc. Without the surgery, you could have a lifetime of corticosteroid shots just so you can sit up. Surgery is often the best way to completely heal from an injury.
Another option for back injuries is spinal fusion surgery, which fuses together two vertebrae so they no longer rub against each other. This surgery can ease blinding pain and provide greater stability to the back.
Surgery is expensive—much more expensive than conservative treatment like medication or physical therapy. Many patients confront six-figure medical bills after going under the knife. And surgical patients typically need physical therapy to help them recover.
How to Receive Compensation for Back Pain after a Slip and Fall
Georgia premises liability law requires that property owners use reasonable care to fix hazards and keep their property safe. Many of our clients are hurt when a property owner neglects obvious defects on their property.
A visitor can slip on:
- Wet leaves
- Ice
- Condensation on the floor
- Spilled water or other liquids
- Freshly mopped floors
- Loose tiles or carpets
- Trash on the floor
Work with an attorney if you were injured in a slip and fall accident. Our team will gather evidence to see if the property owner or occupier was reasonably careful. A key consideration is why you were on the property. If the owner invited you in, then they owe you a high standard of care. We can help you document the hazard and whether the owner knew about it or should have known about it.
Call Us to Learn More about Compensation for a Back Injury
Serious back injuries prevent men and women from going into work, costing them thousands of dollars. Add in the medical expenses, and many people are facing severe financial distress through no fault of their own. You deserve compensation.Call Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys today for a free consultation with an Atlanta personal injury attorney. You can reach us at (404) 529-3476.