A back injury can disrupt every part of your life, even if it seems minor at first. Daily tasks like sitting, standing, or sleeping become difficult, and you may have to take time off work. On top of physical pain, you could face mounting medical bills and uncertainty about your recovery.
These injuries often result from car accidents, falls, or workplace incidents and range from pulled muscles to serious spinal damage. No matter the severity, the effects can be long-lasting. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, Missouri law may entitle you to pursue compensation for your losses.
Types of Back Injuries Associated With Missouri Accidents
Not all back injuries have the same impact. Some cause immediate pain and problems, while others take days or weeks after the accident to manifest. Take a closer look at some of the most common types of back injuries associated with Missouri accidents.
Soft Tissue Strains and Sprains
Soft tissue injuries like sprains and muscle tears are generally considered “minor” compared to other back injuries. However, they can turn into chronic stiffness and pain if they’re not treated properly.
Herniated Discs
The vertebrae in your spine are cushioned by discs. In a crash or a fall, those discs can slip out of place or rupture. This can put pressure on nearby nerves and cause pain that radiates down your legs and sometimes even into your feet.
Spinal Cord Trauma
This is perhaps the most severe type of back injury. When the spinal cord itself is damaged, you can face the risk of permanent disability and potentially paralysis in the affected part of your body. Even a partial injury can trigger severe issues with motor function or constant pain.
Compression Fractures
These are tiny cracks in the vertebral bones of the spine. They tend to be seen more frequently in older adults, but anyone who gets hit with enough force can experience a compression fracture. The pain is usually sharp, making it challenging to move around, and a person can even lose some of their height over time.
The Hidden Costs of a Back Injury
Back trauma can impact your daily life in ways that go beyond physical pain. You might no longer be able to do your job, especially if it involves physical labor. That loss of income can quickly make it difficult to pay your bills. Add in doctor visits, rehabilitation appointments, and pain management, and medical expenses can escalate fast.
Similarly, MRI scans, physical therapy, and surgeries are expensive, and not all injuries fully heal. Chronic pain is a real possibility, and it can affect your daily routine, relationships, and overall mental health.
The emotional toll can be just as significant. Ongoing pain can be exhausting, and you may understandably feel angry, anxious, or depressed.
Given these wide-ranging effects, pursuing compensation for a back injury is essential. This often begins by filing an insurance claim.
Why Back Injuries Are Difficult to Prove
When it comes to a personal injury claim, insurance companies require you to prove your injury. That can be a challenge with back pain. Injuries might not appear on standard imaging tests like X-rays, and symptoms may develop gradually.
That’s why documentation is crucial. Medical records are usually the foundation of your case. Ongoing treatment, detailed provider notes, and evaluations from specialists help illustrate the full impact of your injury. Keeping a personal journal can also show how the pain disrupts your life.
Unfortunately, insurers may blame a pre-existing condition or accuse you of exaggerating your symptoms to reduce or deny your claim. They might offer a quick settlement that fails to account for future medical needs or lost income. Protecting yourself means understanding your rights—and in some cases, that means filing a lawsuit to seek full compensation.
How Missouri Law Can Help You Recover Compensation
If you were hurt in Missouri and someone else was at fault, the law gives you a chance to recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Even if you did something that contributed to the accident, you can still recover a portion of your financial losses under the state’s comparative fault system.
The tricky part is building a strong case, which means gathering the right evidence, meeting legal deadlines, and navigating a system that’s not always on your side. That is why seeking the help of a qualified lawyer is vital.
Contact Our St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If your back injury happened because of someone else’s negligence in Missouri, the seasoned team at Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help. We have decades of experience fighting relentlessly for injured clients just like you and have recovered millions in compensation along the way.
Contact us for a free consultation with a dedicated Missouri personal injury attorney today.