Maine Neck Injury Lawyer

The neck serves crucial functions but is also vulnerable to injury due to its range of motion and location. Neck injuries, like strains, can be mild, but severe injuries can lead to serious complications and long-term health challenges. If you sustained a neck injury due to someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for your related medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Maine neck injury lawyers at Mann Law have extensive experience helping victims get the compensation they need to recover financially and seek accountability from those who hurt them.

Types of Neck Injuries

There are many different kinds of neck injuries, but they typically fall into two categories: soft-tissue injuries and spinal cord injuries. Soft-tissue injuries vary from mild to severe, while spinal and nervous system injuries are often severe and even catastrophic, sometimes resulting in lifelong disabilities.

Some of the most common neck injuries we see at Mann Law include:

Whiplash

Whiplash occurs when the head and neck jerk violently back and forth, tearing ligaments under the skin and causing soft-tissue damage that can take months to heal. Victims of car crashes and other accidents sometimes discover they suffer from whiplash weeks after the accident occurs. This is known as delayed whiplash. Symptoms of whiplash include:

• Neck stiffness
• Limited range of motion
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Paresthesia

Muscle Sprains and Strains

When ligaments in the neck tear, a muscle sprain can occur. Conversely, a strain describes torn muscles or tendons. Muscle strains and sprains can cause:

• Limited range of motion
• Cramping
• Muscle spasms
• Pain when moving

Herniated Discs

Also known as a ruptured disc, a herniated disc injury occurs when the jelly-like center of a spinal disc pushes outward against its bone casing, which can cause the substance to seep out. Although herniated discs sometimes resolve themselves, they can cause significant pain and require surgery.

Fractured Cervical Spine

Although less common than other neck injuries, a fractured cervical spine, more commonly known as a broken neck, is a very serious injury that requires immediate medical treatment. Serious car wrecks and falls can cause a fractured cervical spine.

Paralysis

If the spine is transected or broken, paralysis can occur below the site of the injury and render a patient immobile. Paralysis can be permanent, depending upon the severity of the spinal injury, and thus permanently alter a person’s life.

Common Causes of Neck Injuries

Neck injuries are often the direct result of other people’s negligence. If you’ve suffered a neck injury due to someone else’s actions, you might be owed significant compensation.

Physicians frequently treat neck injuries caused by:

• Car Accidents – Car accidents are a frequent cause of neck injuries. When a driver and their passengers are rear-ended by another vehicle and their heads jolt violently back and forth, it can cause whiplash, a soft-tissue injury that affects the shoulders and neck.
• Motorcycle Accidents – Motorcycle accidents can also lead to neck and spinal injuries. Unlike motorists, who have the physical framework of a vehicle to shield them from harm in the event of a collision, motorcyclists are usually directly impacted by a car crash. As a result, their injuries can be much more severe, including neck injuries, spinal fractures, and even paralysis.
• Pedestrian Accidents – Like motorcyclists and cyclists, pedestrians bear the brunt of any collision, which can cause devastating neck injuries, fractured vertebrae, and permanent paralysis in severe cases.
• Slip and Fall Accidents – Slips, trips, and falls can result in injuries to the neck, such as strains, sprains, herniated discs, and fractures. When an elderly or medically fragile person slips and falls on someone else’s property because of a hazard, the accident could be catastrophic and take significant medical intervention and ongoing care.
• Sports-related Accidents – Sports-related accidents—particularly those caused by high-impact sports such as football, rugby, soccer, and horseback riding—can cause neck injuries. Neck sprains, cervical fractures, and whiplash are all common sports-related neck injuries.

Treatment for Neck Injuries

Any person suffering from a neck injury should seek immediate medical care. Your physician will recommend a course of treatment specific to the type of neck injury you sustained. Some common treatments for neck injuries include:

• Pharmaceutical drugs – Over-the-counter and prescription medication can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. A doctor can prescribe a pain reliever that will benefit your condition best.
• Physical therapy – A certified physical therapist can design exercises to help reduce pain in your neck, increase your strength, and improve your range of motion.
• Injections – Certain injections, such as corticosteroid injections, can help lower pain and reduce inflammation in the neck, working as an alternative to or in combination with pain medication.
• Massage – Many neck injury victims find medical massage therapy helpful for reducing pain in the neck and spine.
• Acupuncture – Acupuncture is often used in combination with more traditional methods of treatment. A therapist inserts needles into the skin along the neck and spine, which can stimulate the nervous system and decrease pain.

Compensation for Neck Injuries Caused by Negligence

If you suffered a neck injury because of someone else’s negligence, compensation might be available for your:

• Related medical expenses
• Lost income due to missed work
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering

Neck injuries often come with significant medical costs. From surgeries to physical therapy, it can take months to recover. If you were injured in a car crash or other accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company might offer you a settlement that seems generous. Often, their initial offer fails to cover even half of the costs associated with your injury. That’s why consulting with an attorney is so important. An experienced Maine neck injury attorney can negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf and fight for you in court if necessary.

Statute of Limitations on Neck Injury Claims in Maine

States establish deadlines known as the statute of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits after accidents. In Maine, the statute of limitations is six years. Some injuries, such as those caused by medical malpractice, have shorter timelines. If you fail to take action within this period, your case will likely be dismissed, and you could lose your right to compensation. Protect your interests by contacting a neck injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Contact a Maine Neck Injury Attorney Today

If you’ve suffered a neck injury due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, don’t wait to reach out to a skilled legal advocate for help. At Mann Law, we have been fighting for victims of personal injury in Maine for nearly two decades. Contact a Maine neck injury lawyer today for a free, no-obligation consultation.