Lake Oswego Head, Neck and Back Injury Attorney

The sudden impact of an auto accident or slip and fall can produce trauma in the head, neck, or back. While it may take a few hours–or even a couple of days–for the victim to feel pain or notice other signs of injury, that does not mitigate the potential for long-term damage to the head, neck, or back. Some of the more common types of injuries that we have seen in our practice include:

• Whiplash: This is the neck injury that is perhaps most associated with auto accidents. Whiplash occurs when there is a rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, which resembles the “cracking of a whip.” If you are ever involved in a rear-end car accident, then there is a good chance that you have experienced some degree of whiplash, which can lead to chronic pain and other long-term complications.
• Concussions: Any violent blow to the head–including an impact with the ground or a car’s dashboard–can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Mild TBIs are often referred to as concussions. They often produce a wide range of symptoms from headaches and nausea to cognitive problems and even a prolonged loss of consciousness. Moderate to severe TBIs can lead to permanent damage and even death.
• Scalp Wounds: Aside from traumatic brain injuries, the most common type of head injury we see in accident cases are scalp wounds. While scalp lacerations are often not considered a serious injury, they can lead to complications if not promptly treated. Such wounds also may indicate additional internal injuries that can lead to death.
• Herniated Discs: The back contains a number of discs that cushion the vertebrae that make up the spine. When the inner nucleus of the disk is pushed out through the exterior due to a violent impact, it ruptures or “herniates” the disc. This can lead to chronic back pain, as well as numbness in the arms and legs.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: When there is damage to the spinal cord–i.e., the vertebrae are fractured due to blunt force trauma–the brain can quickly lose its ability to communicate with the rest of the body. Spinal cord damage often means paralysis or quadriplegia. And even when the injury is “incomplete,” a victim may still find their bodily control is severely and permanently reduced.

Because any of these head, neck, or back injuries can lead to permanent complications, it is always advisable to seek out medical treatment following an accident. The fact that you are able to get up and walk away under your own power is not proof that “everything is okay.” The body often sends mixed signals after a traumatic impact to help insulate you from sudden pain. It is therefore critical to get checked out at an emergency room or by your primary care doctor as soon as possible following an accident.

What Damages Can You Recover for a Head, Neck, or Back Injury in Lake Oswego, OR?

If you are injured due to someone else’s negligence, Oregon law allows you to negotiate a settlement and or sue the responsible party to seek monetary damages as compensation for your losses. Such damages are often quite significant when it comes to head, neck, and back injuries. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, such injuries often require extended–and expensive–medical care followed by a lengthy period of rehabilitation. Second, accident victims often continue to experience chronic pain for months or years after the accident, which significantly reduces their ongoing quality of life. And third, many of these head, neck, and back injuries lead to permanent impairments that will never fully heal.

With all that in mind, some of the damages you can seek for a head, neck, or back injury in Oregon include:

• Economic Damages: The phrase economic damages refers to out-of-pocket losses that are generally simple to quantify in dollar terms. This includes past, present, and estimated future medical bills arising from a head, neck, or back injury. It can also cover the victim’s lost income and diminished earning capacity as a result of their injuries.
• Non-Economic Damages: Basically, any damages that cannot be quantified–yet still exist and are entitled to monetary compensation–are noneconomic damages. This is where a victim can seek compensation for their pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and the ongoing emotional trauma of dealing with paralysis or other permanent effects of their head, beck, or back injury.
• Punitive Damages: In limited cases, an Oregon court may order a defendant to pay punitive damages if they acted out of malice or with a “reckless and outrageous disregard” for the safety and well-being of others. Under Oregon law, however, the state takes 70 percent of any punitive damage award, with the remaining 30 percent going to the plaintiff.

Contact Lake Oswego Head, Neck, and Back Injury Lawyer Lance D. Youd Today

If you are suffering from the ongoing effects of a head, neck, or back injury and someone else was to blame for your situation, you have every right to step forward and take legal action. The team at Lance D. Youd Personal Injury Law is here to help. We represent accident victims in Lake Oswego and throughout Clackamas County. Call us today at (503) 399-8967 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.