Neck And Back Injuries
Atlanta Attorney Compassionately Counseling Accident Victims
Depending on their severity, neck and back injuries may have serious and even permanent consequences for an accident victim. If you are in this difficult situation, you should reach out to a seasoned Atlanta back injury lawyer who can help you pursue the compensation that you deserve through either a negligence lawsuit or the workers’ compensation process. Attorney T. Andrew Miller understands how to navigate either type of claim. He can conduct a thorough investigation of the accident and protect your rights at every step of the way.
Neck And Back Injuries Typically Cause Serious Harm
Neck and back injuries may take place in a variety of types of accidents, including motor vehicle crashes, slip and falls, construction accidents, other workplace accidents, and even medical malpractice. For example, the Federal Highway Administration reports that an estimated 2.4 million people were hurt in car accidents across the U.S. in 2015. The most common injury resulting from these accidents was neck and back pain. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, it is estimated that there are 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injuries each year, many of which result from motor vehicle accidents.
These injuries should never be taken lightly, due to the risk of paralysis, disability, and even death. Some common examples of neck and back injuries include spinal cord damage, whiplash, herniated disc, lower back injury, broken bones, damaged vertebrae, and chronic back pain.
A neck or back injury may be considered catastrophic if it results in severe and long-term or permanent damage (in other words, a lifelong disability or disfigurement). Catastrophic injuries often require multiple surgeries, extensive rehabilitation, and even a lifetime of medical treatment. A victim who suffers a catastrophic injury may also be unable to return to work and, in the most serious cases, even carry out the most basic day-to-day tasks.
If you have suffered a serious accident in Georgia, you may be able to recover damages through a negligence claim unless the accident happened on the job, in which case workers’ compensation benefits likely will be available. Negligence is defined as a failure to exercise the proper degree of care in the circumstances. A back injury attorney at our Atlanta firm can help victims build a personal injury claim and try to show that they were hurt because the defendant acted carelessly. A careless action that leads to an accident may consist of a relatively minor or momentary lapse, such as running a red light or forgetting to block off a section of uneven pavement. However, these breaches of care may have lifelong consequences for a victim. A plaintiff in a personal injury case generally will be able to recover current and future medical expenses, current and future lost wages, surgical costs, pain and suffering, and rehabilitation costs.
The situation is somewhat different for a victim who is pursuing workers’ compensation benefits following an accident on the job. They would not need to identify a careless action or draw a causal link to their injuries. Instead, they would need to show that they were hurt in the course of their employment. This is not always as straightforward as it sounds, and insurers may be inclined to deny even a deserving claim unless the claimant retains the representation of an aggressive workers’ compensation lawyer. Benefits in this system are less extensive than damages available through a personal injury claim, but workers’ compensation does provide benefits for medical costs, a certain amount of wage replacement, and assistance with vocational rehabilitation if appropriate.
Consult A Back Injury Lawyer In Atlanta Or The Surrounding Cities
If you are dealing with a neck or back injury that has drastically altered your quality of life, you should consult a skilled Atlanta back injury attorney as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of T. Andrew Miller, we have extensive experience assisting victims with both personal injury and workers’ compensation claims. You can rest assured that we are committed to seeking the desired outcome for each of our clients. We also represent people who need a personal injury lawyer or a workers’ compensation attorney in Stone Mountain, Marietta, Lawrenceville, Norcross and other communities in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb and Gwinnett counties. Call us at 678-894-7868 or contact us online for a free appointment.