Back pain is a very real hurdle that many people face. It can range from a constant dull ache to a debilitating pain that makes it difficult to perform daily functions and responsibilities. Anyone at any age can experience back pain, factors that impact your chances are age, weight, physical activities, smoking, and pre-existing conditions such as arthritis or scoliosis, or hereditary traits. Back pain results from injury, spasms, disk breakdown, or tense muscles. Injury can occur sitting at a desk, on the golf course, having a long commute, not exercising, slouching, in a car accident, workplace injuries or hundreds of other ways. Because back injury can occur in a multitude of ways it tends to affect a large majority of the population. Included is information regarding traumatic back pains, repetitive back pains, and the legal options for both injuries.
Trauma to the back is a common occurrence, a traumatic back injury can either be acute or result in a chronic condition. Knowing what happened, and identifying any risk factors such as osteoporosis to a doctor can aid in a diagnosis and back injury treatment. When severe injury to the back occurs due to a fall or an accident this event can be detrimental to your health. Back injuries are classified as either low energy as in a slip on the ice, or high energy, as in being catapulted from a vehicle during a collision. Injuries can affect any part of the back including the bones, disks, ligaments, or muscles. The range of severity goes from simple compression fractures, being the least impactful, to fractural dislocations which are the most impactful. Depending on if the spine or if the nerves are severed, the classification of the injury may change as well. Spinal cord trauma is damage to the spinal cord, it may result from direct injury to the cord itself or indirectly from disease. Injuries of the spinal chord can result in pain, paralysis, numbness, and loss of normal bowel or bladder control. Treatments for trauma to the back or spinal chord include medicine such as corticosteroids, or surgery.
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Repetitivback pains are related to the overuse of the tendons and muscles, usually caused by cumbersome postures and repetitive motions. Sitting for long periods of time while driving, or working in an office environment while using improper techniques can cause discomfort and pain. If left untreated, it could eventually cause a repetitive stress injury, specifically of the back, which is not fatal but is a constant source of discomfort. Repetitive stress injuries of the back develop over spans of time and are not necessarily noticed at first. Possible contributors to repetitive back pain are lack of physical activity, and being over weight. Symptoms of repetitive back pains include, but are not limited to tingling, swelling, numbness, stiffness and pain. The greatest defense against repetitive back pains is prevention via using a neutral body stance. A neutral body stance include keeping your head level, feet flat, utilizing back support, and taking frequent stretch breaks. Along with a neutral body stance staying active and keeping your back strong while avoiding too much heavy lifting can be beneficial. Behavior modifications are beneficial such as learning to use your legs for support rather than the back or changing the mattress you are sleeping on. Of course if none of these things work there are possible treatments involving medication, surgery, or acupuncture. Possible medication options include the use of a hot or cold pack, aspirin, numbing ointments, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers, or steroid injections.
When you find yourself with unfortunate scenario of a back injury whether traumatic or repetitive, after you consult the hospital and your employer, the next step, which is absolutely imperative, is to get obtain legal advice, and move forward with legal options. Generally, if you are unable to work for more than a few days, or if your medical bills exceed a few thousand dollars, you should absolutely hire a New York City Back Injury Attorney. There are many lawyers and attorneys who specialize in both traumatic back injury and repetitive injury who are well versed in the nuances along with having your best interest in mind. In regards to a traumatic back injury claim the basis for holding a company legally responsible for the harm comes from the idea of negligence. Negligence is the legal term for any haphazard behavior that causes, or contributes to, an accident. As far as repetitive back injury, there are workers’ compensation laws that will work in your favor. Workers’ compensation allows individuals injured on the job to recover money paid for medical treatment, and or lost earnings. An important aspect of filing a repetitive injury claim is that the law requires a qualified physician to state in writing that there is a direct link between the job duties and the injuries. Facts like this may be unknown to the individual, but a New York City Back Injury Attorney would know this easier, further emphasizing the point that is essential to seek legal advice.
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