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Head and neck injuries are an all-too-common result of a variety of accidents. These injuries can have long-term consequences. If you have suffered a head or neck injury as a result of someone else’s recklessness or negligence, you may be able to seek compensation to help with medical and other expenses. If you are looking for a neck injury accident attorney an experienced personal injury attorney in Dallas can assist you.
Neck Injuries From Car AccidentsAuto accidents, falls, sports, penetrating injuries such as a gunshot, external pressure from assaults such as direct blows or strangulation, and diving into shallow water are the most common causes of acute (sudden) neck injuries.
Common neck injury symptoms
Common neck injury symptoms include difficulty turning the neck or head, decreased range of motion, muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders, neck pain, stiffness in the neck, weakness in the legs, arms, hands, or fingers, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, headaches, bleeding from the neck area, neck bruising, pain with movement, pain and tingling that spreads to the shoulders and arms, and sleep disruption.
Serious neck injury symptoms
A change in consciousness or alertness or unresponsiveness, clammy and pale skin, loss of bladder or bowel control, paralysis of any kind, uncontrolled bleeding, breathing problems such as shortness of breath, labored breathing, wheezing and choking, severe headache, deformity or swelling in the neck or head are all signs of a possible emergency.
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Neck Injuries That Are CommonWhiplash – Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden, back-and-forth movement of the neck. It is most commonly caused in rear-end collisions. Sports injuries, assaults, falls, and other types of trauma can also contribute to it. Sprains and strains are common whiplash injuries. A person who suffers from whiplash may also suffer from other types of neck injuries.
Strains and Sprains – Neck sprains and strains are common types of neck injuries. The vertebrae in the neck are made up of seven spinal column bones connected by ligaments. A sprain occurs when the ligaments are torn or stretched as a result of a sudden strong head movement. Muscles are pulled and/or torn during a strain.
Herniated disc – Discs in the spine act as a cushion between each vertebra. The exterior of the disc is tough, and the interior of these discs is jellylike. A tear in the disc wall may allow some of the disc’s interior to protrude or escape. This can put pressure on the nerves that run through the spine, causing pain and numbness, as well as radiating pain to the extremities such as the arms, legs, hands, or feet.
Pinched Nerve – A pinched nerve occurs when pressure is applied to a nerve by muscles, tendons, surrounding tissue, or bones.
Fractured cervical spine – Auto accidents are the most common cause of cervical spine fractures, followed by diving, sports, and firearms. They include upper (occiput-C2) and lower cervical spine fractures (C3-C7). The most common complications of cervical fractures are nerve and spinal cord injury, fracture malunion, and surgical infections. Cervical spine fractures can be fatal if not treated properly.
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Common Non-Surgical Neck Injury TreatmentCall For A Free Case Review (972) 599 4100
Common Surgical Procedures for Neck InjuriesIf conservative treatments are ineffective at relieving chronic neck pain, surgery is often considered as a last resort. Not all causes of neck pain necessitate surgical intervention. However, in some cases, surgery may be the best option, especially if less invasive treatments have not been effective. Herniated disks and bone spurs in the neck can form as a result of injuries and degenerative changes. This can put pressure on your nerves or spinal cord, causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
The following are some of the most common neck conditions that may necessitate surgery:
Injections – For acute or chronic neck or back pain, injections are a non-surgical treatment option. They are used to treat spinal pain after other nonsurgical options, such as medications and/or physical therapy, have been exhausted but before surgery is considered. Injections can provide pain relief and aid in determining the source of a patient’s discomfort.
Injections are frequently referred to as a minimally invasive procedure. They are frequently used to avoid more invasive surgical procedures. Despite the fact that spinal injections are not considered a surgical procedure, the majority of spinal injections are performed in a surgical center or a hospital. Injections may be minimally invasive, but they are still invasive, which is why I classify them as surgical.
Types of injections for neck injuries – The injections listed below are commonly used to treat neck injury pain from injuries that do not resolve with non-surgical care such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, and other non-surgical care:
Injections of steroid into the epidural space – The epidural space is the area surrounding the dura. The dura is a sac that contains cerebrospinal fluid, the spinal cord, and nerves and surrounds the nerve roots. Injections into this region of the spine deliver medication to coat the nerves in this region. Nerve pain, compressed nerves causing pain in the neck or upper back, herniated discs, spondylosis (age-related wear and tear), radiculopathy (any condition or injury causing nerve damage), and spinal stenosis are all indications that epidural steroid injections may be necessary (a narrowing of the open space in the spine resulting in the spinal cord and nerve pressure that causes pain and numbness – can be caused by herniated discs and car accident trauma to the neck which causes swelling).
Selective nerve root block injections – A selective nerve root block injection is referred to as (SNRB). It is an injection used to treat a swollen spinal nerve. It can also aid in diagnosis. Typically, an anesthetic or steroid anesthetic is injected near the spine nerve where it exits the bony opening between the vertebrae. The medication numbs the nerve and reduces inflammation. Fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance is typically used to guide this type of injection. It has a reported 57 percent success rate for patients up to 6 months. The effect of the injections can be delayed for days or even weeks, so even for those who eventually get relief from the injections, there may be no immediate relief. These injections are used to treat inflamed nerve roots caused by herniations, spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the open space in the spine resulting in the spinal cord and nerve pressure that causes pain and numbness – can be caused by herniated discs and car accident neck trauma that causes swelling), and radiculopathy (any condition or injury causing damage to the nerves).
Facet joint injections and medial branch blocks – These injections are used to treat as well as diagnose pain. Facet joint injections – A facet joint is surrounded by a synovial membrane tissue joint capsule that contains nerve innervation. This joint becomes painful when it becomes inflamed. Anesthetics and steroids are among the substances injected into this joint. The injection relieves pain by reducing inflammation. The medication reduces pain by making pain receptors less sensitive.
Medial branch blocks – Medial branch nerves emerge from the dorsal rami of the spinal nerves from C2 and below. A steroid injected near the medial branch nerve may suppress the nerve’s pain signal. Fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance is used to precisely guide the needle, and contrast dye may be used to improve visibility. According to studies, facet joint injections and medial branch blocks are effective in 92 percent of patients and last 1-4 weeks. The symptoms may or may not reappear.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) – used to treat chronic neck and back pain. RFA creates a heat lesion by heating a portion of the nerve transmitting pain with a radiofrequency needle. The lesion prevents the nerve from transmitting pain signals to the brain. This treatment is typically used to relieve pain for longer periods of time, ranging from 6 months to 2 years. It can help improve range of motion through physical therapy, reduce the need for medications, and avoid more invasive surgeries. This is typically considered for neck and back pain, cervicogenic headaches, occipital neuralgia (a chronic headache caused by a pinched nerve at the C2 or C3 level), or sacroiliac joint or posterior pelvic pain. According to various studies, the success rate ranges from 45 to 86 percent. According to studies, repeated RFA treatment provides relief to 85 percent of patients.
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Cervical spinal fusion – A major surgery used when there is neck instability or when the motion of the neck causes pain. Cervical spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that joins or fuses the bones in the neck (the vertebrae). The fusion is created by grafting bone from somewhere in your body or from a bone bank.
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)– This is a major surgery used to treat a pinched nerve or spinal cord compression. It removes a damaged disc to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, thereby alleviating pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling. The disc is removed, relieving pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. The procedure alleviates pain, numbness, tingling, and tingling. As it relieves pressure, it is a type of decompression. When the disc is removed, the vertebrae are fused together with a bone graft or implant to provide stability to the area. This surgery is used to relieve symptoms caused by herniated discs, disc disease, and bone spurs.
Anterior corpectomy and fusion – A major surgery used to treat spinal cord compression. The cervical spine’s vertebrae and discs are removed during this procedure. This procedure is used to treat injuries caused by herniated discs as well as spine degeneration. It can also be used in other cases where the spine has been damaged by trauma, tumors, or deformation. These conditions cause the spinal canal to narrow and place pressure on the spinal cord. After physical therapy, injections, and pain medication have failed to alleviate the symptoms, surgery is performed. It takes 6 to 8 weeks to recover. During the recovery process, physical therapy is usually involved.
Laminectomy – A major surgery performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. The lamina is removed in order to increase the size of your spinal canal. The lamina is a vertebra that covers the spinal canal. Because it relieves pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, a laminectomy is also known as a decompression procedure. When physical therapy, injections, and medications have failed to relieve the symptoms, a laminectomy is performed. In order to reach the herniated disc, some herniated disc cases necessitate a laminectomy. Following surgery, physical therapy is usually used to improve the patient’s strength and flexibility.
Laminoplasty – A major surgery performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. The lamina, a piece of bone, is removed from the spinal canal. The lamina is located at the canal’s top or roof. This surgery is used when conservative treatment has failed to relieve symptoms caused by disc herniations, fractures, and degenerative changes in the spinal canal. To relieve pressure on the spinal canal, hinges, plates, and bone struts are used, as is a type of decompression.
Artificial disk replacement (ADR) – A major surgery used to treat pain caused by a pinched nerve. Is where the disc is replaced due to herniation or degenerative changes that cause pain, numbness and tingling, radiating pain, and weakness. If the symptoms are only in the neck (no radiating symptoms), this surgery is usually not recommended. To relieve pressure on the spinal canal, the damaged disc is removed and an artificial disc is inserted.
Posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy – This is a surgery that is commonly used to treat pain caused by a pinched nerve. This surgery is classified as minimally invasive. The lamina is shaved with extremely fine instruments, and any disc fragments or bone spurs are removed. It is used in the neck to relieve pressure on nerve roots and the spinal cord. Cervical disc herniations can necessitate this type of surgery. Radiating symptoms into the arms, hands, and shoulders are caused by pressure on the spinal canal. When physical therapy and medication have failed to provide relief, it is used. Recovery time is 2 to 4 weeks.
Treatment for a Neck FractureNeck fracture treatment options include spinal immobilization such as halo traction, a stiff neck collar and braces, and surgical fusing with rods, plates, and screws.
Long-Term Complications of Neck InjuriesLong-term neck injury complications include chronic pain, neck weakness, stiffness in the neck, shoulder, or arm, chronic fatigue, death, paralysis, decreased range of motion in the neck, and permanent disability.
Preventing Neck InjuriesMaintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, strength training for the back and core, a healthy diet, ergonomic chairs and pillows, posture awareness while standing and sitting, and exercising caution when lifting, twisting, and turning are all ways to avoid neck injuries.
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DAMAGES YOU MAY BE ABLE TO RECOVER FOR A NECK INJURYIf you sustain one or more of the following types of injuries, Texas (and most other states) law allows you to recover money to compensate you for the harm caused by the negligent conduct (or the damage that was caused, or harm that was caused, or loss that was caused). If you have proof of the claimed damage or injury, a Dallas personal injury attorney can get the insurance company for the person or company responsible for the accident or injury to pay for the following injuries or damages.
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THE COSTS OF SERIOUS SPINAL CORD INJURIESA serious spinal cord injury leading to paralysis comes with costs and burdens that few people think about, nor can many people afford the care needed. The costs to transition in life after such a serious injury are overwhelming.
Costs to consider with serious spinal cord injuries include:
The level of injury in the spinal cord, as well as the loss of voluntary function of specific muscles, and thus specific movements and maneuvers of the extremities, frequently determine the level of care required, the activities of daily living that can or cannot be performed independently, nursing needs, counseling needs, and future employment opportunities all need to be taken into consideration when determining the future costs of a spinal cord injury.
Serious spinal cord injuries can reduce life expectancy. When calculating damages, the injured party’s life expectancy, as in any permanent injury case, must be determined. In a spinal cord injury case, medical experts assist in determining how the injury will affect life expectancy.
There is no simple formula for determining the nature and extent of future care and treatment for the injured spinal cord.
Experts advise on: 1) future physical therapy; 2) future occupational therapy; 3) future vocational rehabilitation and counseling; 4) future nursing services; 5) future medical monitoring; 6) future medical treatment; 7) future medications; 8) future medical supplies and equipment; 9) evaluation and training at recognized spinal cord centers; and 10) attendant care.
The necessity and cost of each of these items determine what is required in compensation for the injured person’s care.
Attendant care is the most important and also the most expensive. Attendant care can be provided from 12 to 24 hours a day. It can include an RN or may only provide less skilled nursing care. It could include a time of day when more than one attendant is required. The type and extent of attendant care required will be determined by the level of paralysis and the resulting functions that the injured party is able to perform.
People with severe spinal cord injuries may be unable to make certain transfers, such as from a bed to a wheelchair or from a wheelchair to a toilet.
A rehabilitation consultant with experience in case management for catastrophically injured people may be required to assist in determining what supplies, equipment, and orthoses will be required.
The cost of a wheelchair, annual maintenance costs, and special equipment such as shower chairs, sliding boards, wrist-driven flexor hinge hand braces, special mattresses and padding, and so on are frequently required. Catheters, leg bags, drainage tubes, and other supplies for a bowel and bladder program are required.
Spinal cord injuries necessitate home modifications.
If the injured person is able to drive, the cost of retrofitting a vehicle with the necessary manual controls must be shown. If you are unable to drive, the cost of a van lift device is needed.
The cost of visiting recognized spinal cord centers that provide evaluation and training on an annual or periodic basis must be considered.
Rehabilitation experts are frequently called upon to explain the impossibilities and burdens of re-entering the labor market after sustaining certain spinal cord injuries.
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The Law Office of Doug Goyen has devoted decades of his practice to assisting people who have suffered neck injuries as a result of car accidents. Attorney Goyen has been a member of the State Bar of Texas since 1997.
During that time, Attorney Goyen has handled a wide range of personal injury cases, including car accidents that result in neck injuries. The following types of injuries are common in personal injury trauma cases, and Attorney Goyen regularly represents clients with these injuries. Contact our office if you need an attorney for a neck injury caused by a car accident or any other type of accident caused by negligence. (972) 599 4100 is our phone number. The following information is provided for your convenience.
FREE CASE REVIEWSIf you are looking for a personal injury attorney in Dallas, call (972) 599 4100. We offer free phone consultations. We also provide a free strategy session. The strategy session includes a summary of your case, legal issues involved, and legal issues we identify as being critical to maximizing the compensation owed.
THERE IS NO FEE IF WE DO NOT WINYou owe us nothing if we are unable to recover. We charge a contingency fee structured to take a percentage of what we recover. As a performance-based contract, the better we do for you, the better we do for ourselves. This aligns our interests in the case with our client’s interests.
DIRECTIONS TO OUR OFFICELaw Office of Doug Goyen
15851 Dallas Pkwy #605
Addison, Texas 75001
(972) 599 4100 phone
(972) 398 2629 fax
Directions to our office: We are on the southbound side of the service road to the Tollway. Stay on the Dallas North Tollway until you come to the Keller Springs exit. Take the Keller Spring exit. Stay on the service road on the southbound side and go just past Keller Springs. Our office is the 2nd building south of Keller Springs, located on the service road to the North Dallas Tollway in the Madison Business Center on the 6th floor.
By Doug Goyen, douggoyen@goyenlaw.com
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