Personal injury victims maybe wondering, “How much compensation will I get for a broken neck?” You may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. More types of compensation may be available to you, such as other economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. That said, there’s no guarantee that you will recover compensation for your injury. But you greatly increase your chances of receiving compensation if you hire an experienced attorney.
A fall that causes trauma to the neck and spine can result in permanent nerve damage, which cannot be surgically repaired. A broken neck and severe spinal cord injuries may result in paralysis.
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How Much Compensation Will I Get for a Broken Neck?
If someone else’s negligence caused your broken neck, you may be able to pursue compensation by filing a personal injury claim. The compensation that may be available to personal injury victims include:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Home modifications
- Transportation to and from appointments
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Loss of quality and enjoyment of life
- Loss of relationship
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages (in rare circumstances)
The amount and types of personal injury damages you receive depends on a host of factors, such as:
- The circumstances leading to the accident
- The likelihood that you will make a full recovery
- The anticipated recovery timeline
- The amount of work you missed because of the accident
- The percentage of fault that you carry for the accident or injury
- The law that applies to your case
Victims of a broken neck may maximize their recovery by contacting a skilled personal injury attorney.
The Impact of Cervical Injuries
Neck trauma often results in fractures and broken bones that may cause life-altering injuries, including loss of mobility and paralysis. Doctors frequently treat minor neck injuries that do not involve the spinal cord with medical neck braces, physical therapy, bed rest, and surgical procedures to reset broken bones. However, severe neck trauma that involves fractured or broken cervical bones and nerve damage to the spinal cord may cause permanent injuries that can’t be medically treated or repaired.
A neck fracture, also referred to as a cervical fracture, involves a break in one or more of the seven cervical bones that make up the spinal vertebrae. The cervical vertebrae in the neck, labeled C1 through C7, support the neck and spinal cord and allow movement of the head, neck, shoulders, and spine. When a break damages the spinal vertebrae, medical options are limited and recovery may not be possible. Currently, there is no medical treatment or surgical procedure that can repair the spinal cord, and the spinal cord can’t heal itself.
Common Causes of Neck Trauma
Hard impacts to the head and neck area can cause severe neck trauma, such as fractures and breaks to the cervical vertebrae. Common causes of severe injury include:
- Falls from heights such as rooftops and ladders
- Vehicle and motorcycle collisions
- Swimming and diving in shallow water
- High contact sports-related accidents
- Osteoporosis and arthritis conditions
- Physical violence
Any severe blow to the head or neck area or sudden, hard twist of the neck can cause a cervical fracture or broken bone. People with certain illnesses or diseases that cause loss of bone mass or muscle mass are at greater risks for neck fractures or broken necks. Elderly adults are especially vulnerable to severe neck trauma caused by falls, the leading cause of fatal injuries to people over age 65. Chicago slip and fall lawyers commonly see severe fall injuries that result in neck trauma, as well as broken hands, legs, and hips in elderly adults. Vehicle and motorcycle crashes and sports-related injuries that result in a strong blow to the head commonly causes neck trauma in younger people. High contact sports create greater chances for severe neck trauma and permanent neck injuries. These include tackle football, soccer, and ice hockey, as well as high-risk recreational activities like parachuting, hang-gliding, snow skiing, and diving.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Neck trauma should be taken seriously and considered a medical emergency. A fracture or break in the cervical vertebrae can lead to permanent injuries, paralysis, and death. Chicago slip and fall lawyers see many cases that require long-term rehabilitation.
A person who suffers a neck injury may show various symptoms that often include the following:
- Severe pain
- Swelling and/or tenderness
- Bruising or redness
- Inability to move the head
- Lack of feeling in arms and/or legs
- Muscle weakness or paralysis in arms and/or legs
Anyone who complains of such symptoms after a fall, car accident, or other incidents should be taken to the hospital for immediate medical diagnosis and care. The injury victim should only be moved by medical professionals who understand the risks associated with neck trauma.
Proper diagnosis of a neck fracture or broken neck requires a medical examination by a licensed physician or specialist who will need to know the victim’s symptoms and cause of the injury. A neurological exam and a series of imaging tests are required to detect the severity of damage. X-rays will be ordered to look for breaks in the bones or a dislocation of the vertebrae. A CT scan will analyze bone fractures or breaks and compression in the spinal cord. An MRI will provide cross-sectional images that show any spinal cord damage.
Once properly diagnosed, medical care and treatment will depend on the severity of the neck trauma. Treatment depends on factors such as:
- The severity of the fracture or broken bone
- The location of the fracture or break occurs
- The affected cervical vertebrae
- The nerve damage, if any, to the spinal cord
Your doctor may treat minor injuries with a neck brace or collar that you wear for about 8 weeks. Alternatively, they may recommend that you wear a traction type neck brace for about 12 weeks to stabilize the neck and restrict head movement. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to reconnect bones, remove damaged vertebrae discs, and relieve pressure on the spinal cord.
Victims of slip and fall accidents and car collisions often suffer severe neck and head trauma that requires hospitalization in intensive care. If nerve damage occurs to the spinal cord, injuries may result in paralysis or long-term rehabilitation and medical care.
