What should I do if I injure my back or spinal cord in an accident in Florida?

Back and spinal cord injuries can include herniated disks, fractured vertebrae, strains, and more. Often these back injuries linger for years and can be seriously debilitating. If you injure your back in an accident in Florida, it is important to protect yourself.

• Seek emergency medical attention (even before calling a lawyer!) Your health is paramount.
• Follow up on your medical treatment. If you don't follow prescribed treatment plans, it could hurt your case.
• Contact a Florida personal injury lawyer. Even if you don't intend on using a lawyer, you can get helpful information.
• Keep a journal of your recovery. Your recovery may have ups and downs, and you will need to remember important details.
• Keep track of missed time at work, including any sick time take.

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Should I accept a settlement offer for my back injury claim?

Insurance adjusters are not your representatives. It is their job to try to pay as little as possible on behalf of the insurance company for each back injury claim. Even if you don't end up using a back injury lawyer, it's worth it to set up a free consultation.

Each back injury is different and compensation can range depending on the sever​ity of the injury. The CDC estimates that average medical costs for a serious spinal cord injury could top $15,000 a year. Any good Florida back injury lawyer will seek to recover damages to help compensate a victim of a back injury for at least the following:

• Medical Costs
• Lost Wages
• Pain and Suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium

In Florida there are also damages caps for "noneconomic" damages in medical malpractice claims and other types of claims.

How much is my Florida back injury claim worth?

Do I even need a Florida back injury attorney?

Not every back injury claim requires the use of an attorney. However, it doesn't hurt to consult with a Florida back injury attorney. You need to protect yourself in case injuries manifest later. We offer free back injury consultations and we'll help you find the right attorney even if we can't take your case.

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Will it impact my case if I do not immediately seek treatment?

Florida Back Injury Lawyer

If a back injury does not manifest until later, what are my options for filing a claim?

If you have immediately apparent back injuries or spinal cord injuries that manifest later due to the an accident, then not seeking immediate medical attention will most likely impact your case negatively. 

A common occurrence is when a back injury victim has seemingly minor injuries and they can feel fine after the accident. Instead of taking the ambulance to the hospital, they get a ride home. Later on, however, the pain manifests. It could be that night, or days later.

Once the adrenaline from the accident wears off and your body starts to feel pain, you might realize you have a claim for damages in Florida.  It is important to seek medical attention as soon as pain manifests if you haven't already been treated.

When seeking medical attention, it is important to tell your doctor that you have been injured in an accident and that the accident is listed as a cause of the back pain (if it truly is the cause!). Medical providers and insurance companies use specific coding when treating back injuries. Further, in court if the accident is not listed as the cause of back pain, it could hurt your case.

So if you have sustained a back injury or other type of personal injury in an auto accident or other type of accident, it is important that the physician notes that in your medical records.

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Florida Personal Injury Attorneys