Asheville Back Injury Lawyer

Asheville Back Injury Attorney

Suffering a back injury can cause all sorts of serious problems for you, your job, and your health. It can put you out of work for extended periods of time, it can disrupt your personal relationships, and it can even lead to additional health problems in time. If you ever suffer a back injury, it is important that you take the proper steps to protect yourself by hiring an Asheville back injury lawyer who can help you build your case and fight for compensation.

The North Carolina Industrial Commission handles back injuries differently than other types of repetitive stress injuries suffered on the job. In order to successfully claim North Carolina workers’ compensation benefits, the injured worker must demonstrate that the back injury was a direct result of a “specific traumatic incident.” This has been defined as the sudden onset of pain while performing normal work duties but excluding the slow onset of pain over months or years. If you injured your back on the job in North Carolina, talk to an attorney at Ganly & Ramer, P.L.L.C., in Asheville. We bring together more than 35 years of combined experience of workers’ compensation knowledge and skill to help injured workers and their families receive the medical treatment and pay benefits they are entitled to.

Common Causes of Back Injuries in the Country

Back injuries are common in the United States, and they can be caused by a wide variety of traumatic accidents or chronic conditions. Back pain can vary in multiple ways, from an unbearable constant pain to an occasional dull ache, depending on the condition and its severity. There are any number of situations that could result in a back injury, but the following are some of the most common that anyone could find themselves dealing with:

• Car accidents. Car accidents are one of the most common causes of back injuries, particularly spinal cord trauma. The sudden shock of a car accident can severely injure your back in any number of ways.You may experience muscle spasms, a burning sensation, constant stiffness, discomfort, or even a persistent tingling sensation along your back. Depending on your injury, it may take some time to recover, or you may not recover at all.
• Bad falls. A bad fall can happen to you at any moment and at any place. Slipping on a wet floor, tripping over some debris, missing a step on the stairs, or even just tripping over your own feet can all result in catastrophic injury, depending on your situation.If someone is at fault for your injury, such as a neglectful store owner who failed to block off a hazardous area, you may be able to pursue compensation under premises liability laws.
• Assault. Violent encounters can often lead to serious back injuries. If you are stabbed or shot in the back, the resulting damage could lead to chronic lifelong pain, spinal cord trauma, or even death. If you end up in a physical fight, you could suffer whiplash or a strain on your neck and back due to violent pulling or shaking. It is important to avoid these situations as much as possible but to protect yourself if you are attacked.
• Athletic injuries. Almost every sport has its severe injuries, but back injuries tend to be most common in sports such as football, hockey, diving, skiing, and cycling. However, back injuries can affect athletes in any sport.It is vital that you wear your protective gear properly when applicable, but also to do what you can to minimize the effect of a back injury in the event of an accident, such as staying physically fit and holding yourself properly.
• Repetitive stress. Repetitive stress injuries can result in strain on your back, as well as your arms, legs, hands, and various muscles. In the workplace especially, you may often find yourself engaging in repetitive behavior all day, every day. Repeating the same motions with little change and little rest can injure your muscles, bones, and tendons. It’s important to take breaks when needed and to change your routine sometimes.

Work-Related Back Injuries

Our firm confidently handles a wide range of back injuries, including:

• Herniated disks (slipped disks or bulging disks)
• Back strains and sprains
• Broken vertebra
• Spinal cord trauma

Our firm has earned recognition as one of the pre-eminent workers’ compensation litigation firms in North Carolina. Our credentials and awards include the highest AV Preeminent* peer review rating for ethical standards and legal ability, being listed in Super Lawyers Magazine and rated among Best Lawyers in America. We work on a contingency fee basis. You will not pay attorneys’ fees or case preparation costs if you do not recover workers’ compensation benefits.

FAQs

How Are Pain and Suffering Calculated?

Typically, pain and suffering are calculated by judges and juries through common sense, with each case being provided consideration for the facts unique to the individual situation. There is no set formula for calculating pain and suffering in Asheville, NC. To reach an agreeable number, juries may decide to use a multiplier method or a per diem method, each of which has its own specific way to reach an appropriate amount.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?

You have three years to file a personal injury claim in the state. That means you have three years from the date of your initial injury to start building a case, speak with a lawyer, gather evidence, and file a claim. If you fail to file within that three-year period, your case may be thrown out, and your opportunity to seek compensatory damages may pass. It is important to start building a case as soon as possible.

What Can I Recover in Compensation for a Back Injury?

For a back injury, you can recover compensation for multiple different kinds of suffering. If your back injury is work-related and you are able to fill out a workers’ comp claim, you will most likely be able to receive assistance with your medical expenses and compensation for any lost wages you have missed out on since your injury. If your injury persists, you may also be able to receive disability benefits until you recover.

When Is a Back Injury Considered to be a Major One?

Any injury that causes you significant pain and changes in your life may be considered a major injury. A back injury may be considered major when it causes you chronic pain that impedes your ability to function and does not improve with over-the-counter medication. If the pain has started to spread to other parts of your body, such as your neck or legs, you may consider the injury a major one and may want to see a doctor.

Call Ganly & Ramer, P.L.L.C. For Help

Get professional legal help for your back injury claim. Call our Asheville office at 828-844-5274 or use our convenient email contact form to arrange a free consultation.

Dealing with a back injury can be debilitating and overwhelming. If you received your back injury as a result of your job, you may want to consider filling out a workers’ comp claim with the help of an experienced back injury or workers’ comp lawyer. It is vital that you take the necessary steps to protect yourself by speaking with someone who understands the kind of help you need.

At Ganly & Ramer, P.L.L.C., we can provide you with legal assistance throughout this trying time. We can help you build your case, gather evidence, and protect your interests. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

*AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories: legal ability and general ethical standards.