Spine fractures can be either minor or major. A major spine fracture poses a greater risk of neurological damage to your peripheral nerve roots or your spinal cord itself. Neurological damage can lead to paralysis. If you’ve been injured, you may be asking yourself, “What types of spine fractures can I receive compensation for?” The generic answer is any that were caused by someone else’s negligence.
Each of the individual bones in your spine is a vertebra. According to Spine Universe, there are several different types of vertebral fractures.
These depend on the parts of the bone affected and the extent of the damage. If you suffered a back injury due to someone else’s negligence, you need the Chicago spinal cord injury lawyers at Curcio & Casciato. Call 312-321-1111 today to schedule your free consultation with us.
What Happens if You Fracture Your Spine?
Spinal fractures are different than a broken arm or leg. A dislocation or fracture of a vertebra can cause bone fragments to pinch and damage the spinal nerves or spinal cord. Depending on how severe your accident injury is, you may experience pain, difficulty walking, or paralysis.
What is a Burst Fracture?
Burst fractures occur when the vertebra breaks in multiple places simultaneously, leaving it essentially crushed. This is one of the most severe types of spinal fractures because the broken fragments can cause injury to the spinal cord. Extreme force to one or more vertebrae due to a car accident can cause a burst fracture.
How Bad is a Compression Fracture of the Spine?
A compression fracture is less severe than a burst fracture, but it can still cause serious problems. It typically affects the front part of the vertebra, causing it to collapse in on itself. Compression fractures are more likely if you have a bone-weakening condition such as osteoporosis.
Fracture-dislocation
This is not necessarily a specific type of fracture. Rather, it occurs when the fractured portion of the vertebra moves significantly from its normal position. This can make the fracture unstable and put you at risk for permanent spinal deformity and potential neurological damage.
Flexion-distraction
Whenever possible, it is best to wear a shoulder safety belt and a lap belt when riding in a car. Otherwise, in a collision, your pelvis may remain immobilized by the lap belt while your upper body moves violently forward. This can cause a flexion-distraction injury that literally pulls the vertebra apart.
Can You Recover From a Fractured Spine?
Sometimes, you can expect to recover well from a fractured spine. However, occasionally, the pain doesn’t go away completely. The long-term effects of fractured vertebrae are different for everyone. Broken bones can heal within about three months. If you have pain beyond this period, it’s termed “chronic pain.” However, the cost associated with a broken bone will last much longer.
What’s the Average Payout for a Back Injury or Spine Fracture?
For motor vehicle cases, the average awarded that involved back injuries or spinal fractures is $212,500.
Long-Term Complications and Disability Resulting from Spine Fractures
The consequences to the health and well-being of auto accident victims who suffer a fracture injury are numerous. Some of the most common include:
- severe permanent back pain
- hip and joint pain
- acid reflux
- height loss
- shortness of breath
- mental trauma
- protruding abdomen
- paralysis
- urinary incontinence and inability to control bowl movements
These complications can result in an individual’s inability to perform daily tasks. Such individuals need to be compensated for such losses. This includes adequate financial recovery for home and nursing care, when needed.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries due to the negligent or intentional conduct of another individual, contact a Chicago car accident lawyer at Curcio & Casciato at 312-321-1111.
Victims of personal injury have the right to compensation for all of his or her losses, inlcuding:
- medical and future healthcare and living care costs
- lost wages and loss of future income
- pain and suffering
The Chicago back injury lawyers at Curcio & Casciato will help you receive the compensation you’re entitled to. They’ll protect your legal rights in court, as well. To contact our offices, call 312-321-1111 or fill out our contact form.
