Spinal Cord / Back Injuries

Back injuries and spinal cord injuries are some of the most common injuries that become the subject of personal injury litigation. Back injuries are particularly prevalent in auto collision cases. To understand how complex these injuries can be, one has to understand a little about the anatomy of the spine.

The spine consists of a spinal cord that extends from the base of the skull through the neck and down to the tailbone. It consists of a cord which passes through bones known as vertebrae. This cord contains nerves which convey messages from the brain to control body movements There is a gelatinous disc in between these vertebrae which act as cushions between vertebrae, and allow them to move without impinging on a nerve root, many of which are found throughout the spine. The whole spinal column is connected by a system of ligaments, cartilage and muscles.

One of the most common injuries that occurs in the back is known as the whiplash injury. A whiplash injury is a medically documented form of injury that often occurs in auto collisions. These injuries can cause significant pain in many people. Whether a person will experience this type of injury often depends on a number of factors including the strength of the musculature of the victim. These injuries can occur in low speed impact cases in which the automobiles receive little damage. This should not be surprising since the degree of injury relates to the individual's musculature and not the force of impact. In some cases only one of the two people in the same automobile will be injured in the same incident.

Another type of injury that occurs involves the gelatinous disc between the vertebrae. Trauma can cause the disc to move out of its normal position between the vertebrae. This movement can cause pain if the disc is impinging on a nerve root. In addition, sometimes, the disc can rupture, and gelatinous material escapes out of the disc. In this case, the disc fails to act as a shock absorber and the vertebrae can slip out of position and impinge on a nerve root.

When someone has experienced one of the above injuries, they need an experienced lawyer who understands the anatomy of the spine and the injuries that can occur to the spine. Insurance companies will use the complexities of the spine and these injuries to negotiate a minimal settlement. Attorney Kevin L. Hoffkins has twenty years of experience litigating and negotiating settlements of this kind. He will work closely with your doctor to make sure your case is communicated properly to insure you receive the maximum recovery.