Back Injuries Lawyer
Back Injuries
Accidents occur every day, in every state, county, city and
town in our country. While many accidents do not result in death
or serious injury, other accidents dramatically affect victims
for the remainder of their lives. Back injuries involving disc
herniation may result from a variety of accident types
auto, construction site, slip and fall, and
others.
The human spine consists of three distinct areas
– the cervical spine (neck region), thoracic
spine (middle portion of the spine) and lumbar (lower) spine. The
bony portions of the spine called vertebra. The cervical spine is
comprised of seven vertebra which begin at the base of the skull
and conclude in the neck area, at the top of the ribcage. The
thoracic spine consists of twelve vertebra, which correspond to
the twelve ribs comprising the rib cage. Finally, the lumbar
spine contains five vertebra, which make up the lower back and
terminate at the sacrum, just above the tailbone, or coccyx. It
is the lumbar spine that is responsible for carrying most of the
weight of the body, balancing the torso on the sacrum.
The vertebra that form the spine likewise form a canal through
which the spinal cord passes. The spinal cord and the brain form
the body's central nervous system. The series of nerves that
comprise the spinal cord pass through the vertebral column and
branch out into the body, passing through portions of the
vertebra called transverse process and vertebral foramen.
The vertebra of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine are
separated by interverbral membranes called "discs." These
interverbral discs, which serve as the shock absorber for the
spine, are comprised of soft, rubbery tissue that is surrounded
by a tough, outer layer called the annulus. Pressure upon the
spine (and therefore the interverbral discs), whether by natural
or other, traumatic forces, can cause spine injury. Such an
injury often causes a disc to bulge and then rupture, or
"herniate." Trauma to the spine can cause the annulus to rip or
tear, allowing disc tissue to protrude and touch the nerves of
the spinal cord that pass through the vertebra and into the body.
The impact between disc tissue and nerve root can cause great
pain and discomfort, often resulting in painful, tingling
sensations into the arms or legs. Herniation disc injury can
result in significantly diminished range of motion, extreme pain
and substantial disability. While many herniated discs ultimately
resolve without surgical intervention, others require
surgery.
Disc surgery can entail substantial risks, including
paralysis.
Events resulting in spinal cord injury are often the subject of
litigation. To protect your legal rights following a traumatic
event resulting in such an injury, it is generally wise to obtain
legal advice from an attorney who is experienced in such matters.
An attorney can help "level the playing field" by providing
accident victims with information regarding the practical and
legal aspects of personal injury law.
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