Long Island Neck Injuries Lawyer

Common Causes of Neck Injuries

Some of the most common causes of neck injuries stem from:

• Car accidents – When one vehicle rear-ends or T-bones another vehicle, it can often cause the occupants to be thrown forward and backward or from side to side. This can lead to extensive strain on the neck and back muscles. This is sometimes referred to as whiplash.
• Slip-and-fall accidents – Icy, snowy or wet walking surfaces, uneven walkways, items left in walkways and inadequate lighting can lead to falls that cause serious neck injuries.
• Falls from heights – When a person falls off a ladder or scaffold, slips off a roof or falls from a height, the impact on the neck can be quite severe. In most cases, how a person lands will determine the extent of his or her neck injuries.
• Workplace accidents – There are many type of work-related accidents that could cause neck injuries – a slip and fall, collision with an object, falling object, repetitive motion activity, heavy lifting and others.
• Sports-related injuries – Contact sports, such as football, can result in an individual suffering injuries to the neck due to impact with another player, being thrown to the ground, tripping and falling and other impacts. The angle at which a person is hit or falls will often have an effect on the severity of the neck injuries.
• Repetitive motion activities – People who engage in repetitive motion activities at home, school or work may begin to experience muscle fatigue, pain, numbness, swelling and other problems over time. These types of activities often lead to temporary or permanent damage to muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons.

Consequences of Neck Injuries

We know how painful and debilitating a neck injury can be. It may hurt simply to move. You may feel shooting pains up your spine, or numbness or weakness in your body. One day you are active and feeling good, the next day you can’t get out of bed.

Trial lawyer Richard Jaffe has extensive experience with injury claims. He has recovered compensation for all types of neck injuries including:

• Fractured vertebrae, as seen with compression fractures. When an individual fractures his or her cervical vertebrae, limited spinal mobility should be expected. Standing and walking will usually make the pain worse. In some instances, this type of injury can cause deformity or disability.
• Herniated disc, also known as a slipped or ruptured disc. When one of the discs, or cushions, between the individual vertebrae on a person’s neck ruptures it can cause a number of problems. A herniated disc can pinch a nearby nerve causing it to become irritated, it can lead to weakness or numbness in extremities, and it can also cause pain to radiate from the neck.
• Nerve impingement, or nerve impingement syndrome (NIS), occurs when one or more of the joints along a person’s spine become misaligned, thus putting pressure on a nerve. This pressure can cause significant discomfort. It can also lead to other physical problems such as headaches, fatigue, mood swings, digestive programs, sleep disturbances and more. NIS is commonly seen in car accident victims.
• Torn ligaments, involving excessive stretching or tears to the tissue that connects a person’s bones to the joints in his or her body. Sprains, strains and tears to ligaments found in the neck often occur when an individual’s body is twisted at an odd angle or suffers a sharp blow.
• Neck sprain or whiplash is a common injury suffered by victims of car crashes. A neck sprain can also be caused by a sports-related injury, a fall or an assault. Anytime a person’s neck muscles and ligaments become extended as a result of a sudden distortion, that person may experience tenderness, swelling, spasms, headaches and other discomfort. Severe whiplash can cause an individual to develop chronic pain.

Personal Injury, Handled Personally

Law partners Richard Jaffe and Stephen Cohen have recovered millions of dollars in personal injury settlements and verdicts. Attorney Jaffe also brings a unique background as a certified EMT (emergency medical technician). His knowledge of the medical issues and his personal experience in rendering aid to trauma victims are a key advantage in our efforts to maximize compensation for our clients.

We work closely with clients, family members and physicians to detail the full impact of serious neck injuries — medical, financial and personal. Contact the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP at 866-895-0420 to arrange a free consultation with our Long Island injury attorneys.