When people think about back injuries, they often think of sports injuries. However, there are many other ways that people can injure their backs. Car accidents are a common cause of back injury, as are slips and falls. Back injuries can be very serious and can often require surgery or long-term rehabilitation.
If you have suffered a back injury, it is important to seek medical attention right away and to follow your doctor’s orders carefully. You may also want to consult with a Las Vegas back injury lawyer to see if you have a case for personal injury.
Here are seven common signs and symptoms of back injuries.
1. Loss of bowel or bladder control
One potential sign of a back injury is loss of bowel control or bladder control. This often happens when the nerves that help you to feel your legs are damaged by the injury, blockage, or compression. You may have difficulty with urination or defecation.
2. Loss of sensation in the legs and feet
Tingling, numbness, and loss of sensation can all be signs that your back is injured and that there has been damage to the nerves that help you to move your legs and feel them. If you have these symptoms after a car accident or slip and fall, they may be a sign of a serious back injury and you should seek medical attention right away.
3. Sudden pain in the lower back region
A sudden, sharp pain in your lower back could be an indicator that something has gone wrong with your spine. Back injuries such as ruptured discs or broken bones can cause this kind of intense pain that lasts for several minutes and then goes away.
4. Pain that radiates to the legs and feet
Back injuries can often cause pain that radiates, or spreads out, into the legs or feet as well as up into the abdomen or chest as well as down the back of your thighs. This kind of pain is a sign of nerve damage from the injury.
5. Pain that is worse during periods of rest
Pain that has gotten increasingly worse over the last few days may be a sign of a serious back injury. You should seek medical advice right away if you are experiencing consistent pain that does not subside when you lie down or rest, particularly if it gets worse than usual during rest.
6. Pain that is worse during physical activity
Pain that becomes more intense when you do things like coughing, sneezing, or moving your arms overhead may be a sign of nerve damage. This is because the nerves are being jarred by these types of activities, rather than getting stronger as they would if you were healing properly.
7. Difficulty walking
Difficulty walking is a classic sign of a back injury. If you have trouble lifting your leg or moving it in any way, this may be a sign that something has happened to your spine and that you will need to seek medical attention immediately.
How Can an Attorney Help You Get Compensation for Back Injuries?
If you or someone you know has suffered a back injury, you may want to consult with an attorney. Back injuries are often the result of car accidents, slip and falls, work-related accidents, or other kinds of personal injury claims. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options after suffering a serious back injury. That means you can concentrate on your recovery instead of worrying about lawsuits and paperwork.
An experienced attorney will know the deadlines for filing personal injury claims so that you don’t have to worry about missing an important deadline. He or she can also inform you of the value of your claim, help you build a strong case with any necessary witnesses or evidence, and fight for your right to the compensation you are entitled to for your injuries.
Back injuries are no laughing matter. If you or someone you know has been seriously hurt because of the negligence of another person, contact an experienced personal injury attorney today to discuss your legal options.