Full Answer
What is the value of a spinal stenosis claim?
The value of a spinal stenosis claim will depend on a few variables. Understanding these variables is helpful in obtaining a reasonable understanding of what your settlement might be worth. Remember, no attorney can guarantee a successful outcome for your claim. However, they could help you prepare for what to reasonably expect.
Why are so many settlements involving spinal stenosis so big?
Many settlements involving spinal stenosis are so substantial because of the cost of treating this condition. For many people, spinal stenosis could require ongoing treatment for months or even years. According to Mayo Clinic, recovering from spinal stenosis could require any of the following expensive treatments:
What is the average settlement for a back injury?
Average Back Injury Settlements 1 Surgery Case. If surgery to repair a back injury is necessary, then the total cost of treating a back injury can exceed $100,000 depending on where you, geographically. 2 Lower Back Sprain & Strain Settlements. ... 3 Elements of a Back Injury Settlement. ... 4 Factors That Can Lower a Back Injury Settlement. ...
How does spinal stenosis affect a workers’ compensation claim?
The severity of these injuries will impact your medical bills, lost wages and benefits, and other damages related to your claim. Many people suffering from spinal stenosis, a debilitating disorder of the spinal cord, cannot work during their recovery. The more work you miss, the more wages you are likely to lose out on.
Can spinal stenosis be aggravated by car accident?
While spinal stenosis can be congenital or develop with age, it frequently results from trauma such as in a car accident.
Is spinal stenosis a permanent injury?
Left untreated, spinal stenosis may get worse and cause permanent damage (numbness, weakness, balance problems, incontinence, or paralysis).
Can Foraminal stenosis be caused by a car accident?
However, it is possible for trauma to cause foraminal stenosis. For example, if someone were involved in an accident that resulted in a bulging or herniated disc. This injury could cause the discs between your spinal bones to become damaged or slip out of place and lead to foraminal stenosis.
How much is a pinched nerve worth in a car accident?
Generally speaking, an accident victim can expect $15,000 to $75,000 for mild to moderate injuries. For severe damage, a victim may receive $100,000 upwards into millions.
What is considered severe spinal stenosis?
Symptoms of Severe Spinal Stenosis When spinal stenosis progresses to the severe stage, that means there has been substantial narrowing of the spinal canal. This can occur due to several different factors, but is most commonly caused by degeneration of the discs, vertebrae and spinal ligaments.
Is spinal stenosis a disability?
Fortunately, lumbar spinal stenosis is one of the few back conditions recognized by the Social Security Administration (SSA) with an official impairment listing, meaning that those with documented cases of severe lumbar spinal stenosis are automatically granted disability benefits—if you can meet the SSA's tough ...
Is spinal stenosis considered a spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injury is very different from back injuries, such as ruptured disks, spinal stenosis or pinched nerves.
What is the difference between spinal stenosis and foraminal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis and foraminal stenosis describe the narrowing of the canals in your spine. Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the canals through which the spinal cord travels, foraminal stenosis is the narrowing through which the spinal nerves travel before exiting the spine.
What is foraminal stenosis at L5 S1?
Foraminal Stenosis I5 S1 Condition Another common instance of foraminal stenosis, foraminal stenosis l5 s1, afflicts the L5 and S1 vertebrae in the lower spine. This is where the nerve roots branch away from the spinal cord and down the legs.
How much should I settle for a back and neck injury?
The average settlement for a minor back or neck injury can range from between $10,000 to $50,000. Just because a fair settlement for your injury case may be lower does not mean that it is not important to recover a full payout after the motor vehicle accident.
How much money can I get for nerve damage?
The average payout for nerve damage in car accidents ranges from $1000,000 up to $5000,000, according to independent studies done by law firms across the country.
How do you prove nerve damage in a car accident?
How Do You Know If You Suffered Nerve Damage in a Crash?Bladder and bowel problems.Prickling, numbness or tingling.Loss of coordination.Weakness or pain in the limbs.Sensitivity to touch.Full or partial paralysis.Sharp or jabbing sensations.Twitching or uncontrollable muscle movements.More items...•
How fast does spinal stenosis progress?
Spinal stenosis is generally not progressive. The pain tends to come and go, but it usually does not progress with time. The natural history with spinal stenosis, in the majority of patients, is that of episodic periods of pain and dysfunction.
Can spinal stenosis be cured?
Treatment usually starts with nonsurgical options and may move to surgical options if other methods no longer relieve your pain. Although there is no cure for spinal stenosis, exercise to keep your muscles strong, improve your flexibility and reduce pain.
Is spinal stenosis a spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injury is very different from back injuries, such as ruptured disks, spinal stenosis or pinched nerves.
What activities should be avoided with spinal stenosis?
What Is Spinal Stenosis?Avoid Excessive Back Extension. ... Avoid Long Walks or Running. ... Avoid Certain Stretches and Poses. ... Avoid Loading a Rounded Back. ... Avoid Too Much Bed Rest. ... Avoid Contact Sports.
Why do people get spinal stenosis?
The main cause of spinal stenosis is aging . As people age, especially after they turn 50, tissues in their spine may start to thicken and compress the nerves of the spinal cord. However, other health conditions can contribute to spinal stenosis as well:
What is the most common type of stenosis?
Lumbar stenosis – The most common type of stenosis, which occurs in the part of the spine in your lower back (lumbar vertebrae). Its main symptoms include leg or foot weakness, numbness or tingling, leg pain when standing or walking for longer periods of time, or back pain.
What is cervical stenosis?
Cervical stenosis – This type of stenosis occurs in the part of the spine in your neck (cervical vertebrae). Its main symptoms include arm or leg weakness, numbness or tingling, balance problems, neck pain, and in severe cases, bowel or bladder dysfunction.
Why do bone spurs grow in the spinal canal?
Bone overgrowth – Bone spurs may grow into the spinal canal as a result of osteoarthritis, or the bones of the spine get weaker and grow larger than usual due to Paget’s disease .
What is the best way to see the spine?
X-rays, MRI, or CT, to view images of your spine.
How long can you sue for a car accident in Florida?
For personal injury claims, the law provides a 4-year period from the date of the car accident, within which you can sue the other party for a higher settlement. After that, you lose your right to file a lawsuit.
Does spinal stenosis cost money?
Medical bills – Spinal stenosis can cost you a lot of money, especially if you need surgery. You should have all your medical expenses reimbursed, including the cost of your physical therapy, medication, or mobility aids. Just don’t forget to keep your medical bills and stick to the prescribed treatment to support your claim as much as possible.
What is the treatment for spinal stenosis?
This could include the cost of pain relievers, anti-seizure drugs, or even antidepressants. Steroid injections. Swollen or irritated nerve roots could require steroid injections to calm those nerves.
How long does spinal stenosis last?
For many people, spinal stenosis could require ongoing treatment for months or even years.
What is spinal decompression?
Decompression treatments. There is a form of specialized treatment used with spinal stenosis patients known as a decompression procedure. This procedure uses implements similar to needles to remove ligaments in the back that are impinging nerves. Speak to Us About Your Case Today.
What is the biggest factor in determining the value of a spinal injury claim?
The severity of your spinal stenosis is the single biggest factor in determining your claim’s value. The severity of these injuries will impact your medical bills, lost wages and benefits, and other damages related to your claim.
What are the two types of spinal injuries?
The types of spinal injuries are divided into two groups: complete injury and incomplete injury. A complete injury is when there is absolutely no function or sensation below the site of trauma. An incomplete injury is where there is some degree of feeling below the level of injury, and the afflicted person can perform limited ]
Is spinal stenosis inoperable?
For example, a person with spinal stenosis so severe that it is inoperable could have lower medical bills compared to someone who is successfully treated for the condition. The Statute of Limitations. Every lawsuit—including claims regarding spinal stenosis—faces a firm deadline.
Is spinal stenosis settlement private?
Even if there were, the details of most spinal stenosis settlements would occur in private. This is common among personal injury claims. In exchange for a monetary settlement, most defendants will require the details of the settlement to remain confidential.
How Does Spinal Decompression Help with Spinal Stenosis?
This is because as the spinal column narrows, it can compress on nerves inside the spinal column which sends these tingling pains down through your extremities.
Can the Type of Treatment Affect my Settlement?
Because the symptoms of spinal stenosis are similar to other types of back and neck pain, an accurate diagnosis is extremely important, especially when a settlement is involved. You will want to seek treatment from a spine doctor who is well-versed in treating spinal stenosis and who will utilize the best diagnostic tools and develop an appropriate individualized treatment plan for you.
What is the best way to diagnose spinal stenosis?
However, in order to diagnose spinal stenosis, your doctor will need to use an MRI, an advanced diagnostic imaging tool that will provide a 3D picture of not only the bones in the spine but also the surrounding tissues and nerves.
What is the purpose of a gentle pull and release of pressure?
This type of gentle pull and release of pressure is said to relieve pain and also encourage the flow of blood and nutrients into surrounding joints and soft tissues. Increased blood flow encourages oxygen to flow into these areas and infuse the healing process of the tissues and discs inside the spinal column.
What is spinal decompression?
Spinal Decompression is a type of treatment therapy that is non-invasive and the recovery time is generally swift and painless. The goals of spinal decompression are to alleviate back pain help encourage the body to heal itself after sustaining an injury to the spine.
How to treat spinal stenosis?
Treating spinal stenosis with spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive approach that a doctor may recommend before moving on to more invasive and costly procedures. You will either lay face down or face up on the table, de pending on the area of injury, and the doctor will operate the table via computer.
What is spinal stenosis in car accident?
When it comes to car accident injuries like spinal stenosis, this more generic term applies to a variety of injuries and symptoms related to the narrowing of the spinal column and its subsequent effects on the nerves and tissues inside. Because symptoms and injuries can vary, it can be beneficial to talk to your doctor about a less invasive treatment like spinal decompression.
Back Injury Settlement & Strategy
Even a car accident that may not initially appear to be serious can cause serious, permanent back injuries. This is true even at low speeds, and even when there is little to no damage to the car. Our firm has folders full of scientific medical journals to back that up.
Anatomy of a Back Injury
Allowing our bodies to bend and stretch, the spine has three natural curves that help to keep us balanced. While our spines are undoubtedly flexible and strong, they can easily become damaged when facing sudden traumatic force. This can happen even with, and sometimes because of, seat belts.
Other Back Injuries
Although sprains and strains are the most common type of lower back and middle back injuries, these are other common back injuries you may see noted in your medical records or hear a doctor say you have:
Different Vehicle Impacts & Related Back Injuries
The type of accident you were involved in (meaning the type of impact, such as rear-end, head-on, and t-bone) can cause different types of injuries.
Insurance Arguments for Back Injuries
One thing to remember as you work on dealing with your injuries is that no matter the pain you feel you are in, or the amount you feel you may be entitled to, insurance companies to not want to pay out on these injuries.
Average Back Injury Settlements
If surgery to repair a back injury is necessary, then the total cost of treating a back injury can exceed $100,000 depending on where you, geographically. In a city like Los Angeles, a lower back surgery can cost twice as much as it would in a rural country town.
Back Injury Q&A
Not all back injuries will be permanent, but there is a chance that yours may be. This all depends on the severity and circumstances of your accident. If your injuries are soft tissue and they persist for more than 12 months, there is a high likelihood your injury is permanent.
What If I’m Partially at Fault for My Spinal Injury?
Texas follows “modified” comparative fault rules, also known as proportionate fault. If you are partially at fault for an accident, your damages may be reduced. However, if you are less than 51% at fault for an accident, you can still recover from the at-fault party.
How Can Surgery Affect My Settlement Amount?
The higher your damages, the more you should expect from a settlement. Because spinal surgery requires extensive diagnosis by specialists, extended hospital stays, and ongoing physical therapy, your economic costs may add up quickly. For example, it costs $32,049 on average for spinal fusion surgery alone in San Antonio (not including hospital stays and post-op therapies).
What Is the Average Settlement for Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces between your spine narrow. Symptoms of spinal stenosis may appear gradually and worsen over time, including pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness. Many people are born with spinal stenosis, but it can also be caused by trauma, such as a car accident.
How Can Grossman Law Offices Help Maximize My Settlement?
When you reach out to us at Grossman Law Offices, an experienced attorney will listen to your story with compassion. We won’t let an insurance company bully you into accepting a settlement for less than your damages. We’ll consider your case from all angles, even if someone has told you that you won’t get more than the first settlement offer.
How much did Acosta get for the accident?
The jury found that Acosta sustained a serious injury as a result of the accident. It awarded him $175,000.
What factors determine the outcome of a spinal discectomy?
Recent verdicts involving the spinal discectomy surgical procedure confirm that many factors determine the ultimate outcome of a personal injury trial. The court venue, the type of case, liability, the attorneys, experts, the severity of the injury, and other elements all play a role.
How long did Poppe have a spinal discectomy?
He underwent a course of physical therapy, but when it didn’t relieve his symptoms, Poppe ultimately underwent a 10.5-hour spinal discectomy. During the surgery, three herniated discs were excised and titanium rods, plates, and screws were inserted into his back.
How much was the Port Authority liable for the accident?
As a result, it found that the Port Authority was 75-percent liable for the accident and that the plaintiff was 25-percent liable. The parties agreed to settle for $1.85 million just after summations on the damages portion of the trial.
Did Bare sustain a permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member?
The jury rendered a defense verdict. It found that Bare did not sustain a permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member, or a significant limitation of use of a body function or system as a result of the June 2006 accident.