Long Island Back Injuries Lawyer
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people on Long Island see a doctor or miss work, the Mayo Clinic says. Back injuries can cause chronic pain that limits the ability to move. A severe back injury can make someone unable to work or even perform the basic tasks of daily living.
Back injuries may be caused by a sudden strain or jolt – such as in a car accident or a slip-and-fall accident – or the wear and tear of a work injury that builds up over several years.
A disabling back injury may lead to significant medical expenses, plus lost income and extensive pain and suffering. If you have suffered a back injury in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to seek compensation for medical care, including long-term care for disabling injuries, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Those who suffer back injuries at work may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
A personal injury attorney at Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP can advise you about your legal options in New York. We protect your workers’ compensation rights and pursue any personal injury claims against third parties.
You have rights … if you use them. Contact us now to find out how we can help.
How Back Injuries Happen
Back injuries usually result from too much strain on the muscles, tendons or disks, or the effect of repeated strain over time. The lower back is the most common site for back injuries and pain.
A sudden awkward movement may strain back muscles and spinal ligaments, such as being violently jolted in a car accident or a fall, or trying to lift something that’s too heavy. Some are impact injuries caused by being hit by or slammed into something.
Handling materials in the workplace – pulling, lifting, carrying, lowering and/or setting in place, etc. – is the No. 1 cause of back injury among American workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says.
A back injury may be identified as a:
- Strain (stretched or torn muscles or tendons). Tendons connect muscle to bone. A back strain may cause pain, muscle spasms, swelling and difficulty flexing the damaged muscles.
- Sprain (stretched or torn ligaments). Ligaments are connective tissue between the bones in a joint. A sprain can cause pain, swelling, bruising and loss of movement in the injured joint. The pain of a back sprain can affect the ability to reach, stretch, bend over or walk.
- Herniated or ruptured disk. Soft disks between each of the vertebrae in the back are crucial to the flexibility of the spine. If trauma from a blow or stress causes the jelly-like center of the disk to leak or bulge, it may irritate nearby nerves and cause back pain. Sciatica is irritation of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, which runs from the spinal cord in the lower back into the buttocks. Sciatica can cause pain, weakness, numbness or tingling from the lower back and down the leg to the calf, foot and toes.
- Fractured vertebrae. A broken back is obviously a painful, disabling condition. In many cases, the instability to the spinal column caused by fractured vertebrae requires a type of surgery known as “spinal fusion.” This procedure permanently connects two or more vertebrae, which eliminates flexibility and movement in the fused portion of the spine.
Expenses and Disabilities from Back Injuries
If you have suffered a serious back injury, you likely face a long and difficult recovery with significant medical expenses. Back injuries may lead to hospitalization, surgery and rehabilitation therapy, with ongoing treatment, medication or assistive care in the most serious cases. Even a less-serious back injury can cause chronic pain that limits mobility.
Many who suffer back injuries never return to work. The Social Security Administration says musculoskeletal injuries, including chronic pain or stiffness caused injuries in the back, are the most common reason workers receive Social Security disability benefits.
The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP led by attorneys Richard Jaffe and Stephen Cohen, has more than 100 years of combined experience with personal injury litigation in New York. We investigate accidents and workplace conditions that lead to back injuries in our clients.
If you are permanently disabled, we can negotiate a settlement for your lost earnings, medical care and other compensation. We also explore personal injury lawsuits, including Labor Law Section 240 claims, if a manufacturer, property owner, subcontractor or other third party was responsible for your back injury.
Get Legal Help from a Back Injury Lawyer on Long Island
If you need a back injury lawyer, call Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP now or fill out our simple form for a free consultation if you have suffered a back injury in an accident or because of workplace conditions on Long Island or anywhere in the nearby areas including Nassau County, Suffolk County and Queens.
Contact us today for an immediate response. We can come to you if that’s more convenient.
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic
- WebMD
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program
