Baltimore Neck and Back Injury Lawyer
When you suffer a neck or back injury due to someone else’s negligence, the physical pain is often just the beginning of your challenges. These injuries can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, expensive medical treatment, and lost wages. If you need a Baltimore neck and back injury lawyer, Iamele & Iamele, LLP has been protecting Maryland citizens’ rights for over 50 years. Our father-and-son legal team provides the aggressive representation and personal attention you deserve during this difficult time.
Understanding Neck and Back Injuries in Personal Injury Cases
Neck and back injuries are among the most complex and debilitating injuries that can result from accidents. The spine contains delicate structures including vertebrae, discs, nerves, and soft tissues that work together to support your body and enable movement. When these structures are damaged, the consequences can be life-altering.
Common types of neck and back injuries include herniated discs, bulging discs, spinal cord injuries, whiplash, cervical sprains, lumbar strains, and compression fractures. These injuries frequently occur in car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall incidents, workplace accidents, and medical malpractice situations. According to the most recent available data, spinal cord injuries affect approximately 294,000 Americans, with motor vehicle accidents being the leading cause.
What makes these injuries particularly challenging is that symptoms may not appear immediately after an accident. You might feel fine initially, only to develop severe pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness days or weeks later. This delayed onset can complicate your injury claim, making it essential to work with experienced attorneys who understand the medical complexities involved.
Common Causes of Spinal Injuries in Baltimore
Baltimore’s busy streets and highways, including Interstate 95, Interstate 695, and major thoroughfares like Pratt Street and Baltimore Street, see thousands of accidents each year. Rear-end collisions are particularly notorious for causing whiplash and other cervical spine injuries. The sudden forward and backward motion of the head can strain or tear the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck.
Construction sites throughout Baltimore also pose significant risks for back injuries. Workers who lift heavy objects, operate machinery, or work at heights face constant danger of spinal trauma. When employers fail to provide proper safety equipment or training, they may be held liable for resulting injuries.
Medical malpractice can also lead to devastating spinal injuries. Surgical errors during back or neck procedures, misdiagnosis of spinal conditions, or improper treatment can worsen existing problems or create new ones. Our comprehensive personal injury practice has handled numerous medical malpractice cases involving spinal injuries.
Property owners who fail to maintain safe premises can also be responsible for back and neck injuries. Slip and fall accidents on icy sidewalks, poorly maintained staircases, or uneven surfaces can cause serious spinal trauma. These cases require thorough investigation to establish liability and demonstrate how the property owner’s negligence contributed to your injury.
The Long-Term Impact of Spinal Injuries
The long-term implications of neck and back injuries often do not become apparent until long after the initial occurrence. What might seem like minor discomfort immediately following an accident can develop into chronic pain conditions that affect every aspect of your life. Many clients discover that their injuries prevent them from returning to their previous employment or enjoying activities they once loved.
Medical treatment for spinal injuries can be extensive and expensive. Initial emergency care, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, pain management, and potentially surgery can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some patients require ongoing care for the rest of their lives, including regular injections, medications, assistive devices, and home modifications.
The emotional toll of chronic pain cannot be underestimated. Depression, anxiety, and relationship strain are common among those dealing with persistent back and neck problems. Maryland law recognizes these non-economic damages, and our attorneys work diligently to ensure all aspects of your suffering are properly valued in your claim.
Lost wages represent another significant component of spinal injury cases. If your injury prevents you from working temporarily or permanently, you deserve compensation for both current lost income and future earning capacity. Our firm has the depth and breadth of experience necessary to work with economic experts and medical professionals to accurately calculate these damages.
Baltimore Neck and Back Injury FAQs
How long do I have to file a neck or back injury lawsuit in Maryland?
Maryland’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, certain circumstances can affect this timeline, such as when injuries are not discovered immediately. It’s crucial to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
What if my employer says my back injury is covered by workers’ compensation?
While workers’ compensation may cover some of your expenses, it doesn’t always provide full compensation for your losses. If a third party contributed to your workplace injury, you may have additional claims beyond workers’ compensation. Our firm handles both workers’ compensation and personal injury cases.
Can I still recover compensation if I had a pre-existing back condition?
Yes, you can still pursue compensation even with pre-existing conditions. Maryland law follows the “eggshell plaintiff” rule, meaning defendants must take victims as they find them. If an accident aggravated your existing condition, the responsible party can be held liable for the worsening of your condition.
How much is my neck injury case worth?
The value of your case depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term prognosis. Our attorneys evaluate each case individually to determine the full amount of compensation you are owed.
What should I do immediately after suffering a spinal injury in an accident?
Seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel fine initially. Document the accident scene if possible, gather witness information, and avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies. Contact our firm as soon as possible for guidance on protecting your legal rights.
Will my case go to trial?
While many cases settle out of court, our attorneys’ ability at trial has proven key to our success in obtaining positive results for our clients. Insurance companies know we are prepared to take cases to court when necessary, which often leads to better settlement offers.
How do you prove that someone else caused my back injury?
Proving liability requires thorough investigation and evidence gathering. We work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and other specialists to build strong cases. Evidence may include police reports, witness statements, medical records, surveillance footage, and expert testimony.
Serving Throughout Baltimore
- Federal Hill
- Inner Harbor
- Fells Point
- Canton
- Hampden
- Mount Vernon
- Charles Village
- Roland Park
- Towson
- Dundalk
Contact a Baltimore Neck and Back Injury Attorney Today
Don’t let insurance companies minimize your neck or back injury claim. The experienced Baltimore neck and back injury attorneys at Iamele & Iamele, LLP understand the complexities of spinal injury cases and fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve. Domenic Iamele brings over 50 years of legal experience, while Anton Iamele adds his appellate court background and trial skills to every case. Operating as a small firm that emphasizes client service, we become personally involved in most aspects of each case, treating our clients with close, personal, and hands-on attention. Your initial consultation is free, and evening and weekend meetings are available to accommodate your schedule.
