Anyone who has ever thrown their back out or pulled a muscle in their neck knows how debilitating even a minor injury to the spine can be. Unfortunately, “soft-tissue” injuries like the ones mentioned above are often the least severe neck and back injuries one can experience, especially compared to spinal cord trauma, which can result in a permanent loss of sensory and motor function.
If you have suffered such an injury because of someone else’s reckless or careless actions, you may have the right to file a civil suit against them. A skilled catastrophic injury attorney’s support could be crucial to making the most of that right. By working with a capable Bakersfield neck and back injury lawyer from Colvin Accident Lawyers, you will be able to focus on healing while your legal representative fights to get you the compensation you deserve.
Civil claims over neck and back injuries can be complex, as the term covers an extensive variety of trauma, some of which is life-altering and some of which is just briefly inconvenient. While both types of injuries may justify a lawsuit if they stem directly from someone else’s misconduct, the type and value of damages can change dramatically depending on the details of an injury.
For example, someone who suffers an “incomplete” injury to the lower part of the spinal cord may only experience partial and temporary paralysis, so a Bakersfield back and neck injury attorney would likely center recovery efforts around short-term losses like medical bills, lost work income, and physical pain and suffering. However, a “complete” injury to the spinal cord in the neck will invariably cause permanent and widespread paralysis, making it necessary to recover decades worth of disability-related expenses, lost working ability, and lost overall quality of life.
Another potential obstacle to effective civil recovery for a serious neck or back injury is the “statute of limitations” established in California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Under this section of state law, individuals who get hurt due to another’s negligence have a maximum of two years from the date their injury occurred to file suit.
However, there are a few exceptions to this deadline. For example, some injuries to this area can take a few weeks or months to reasonably discover. A dedicated Bakersfield lawyer could answer your questions about what time limits may apply to a particular neck and back injury claim during a private initial consultation.
Suffering a serious injury to your back or neck by no fault of your own can be devastating and infuriating in equal measure. However, even if it seems evident to you that another person’s negligence was the direct cause of your injury, proving so to an insurance company’s or civil court’s satisfaction may be more challenging than you expect.
Seeking help from a seasoned Bakersfield neck and back injury lawyer could ensure you get the custom-tailored support needed to hold the right people liable for the harm you should never have sustained. Call Colvin Accident Lawyers today to discuss your legal options.
Free Case Evaluation