How Much is a Neck and Back Injury Settlement in Texas?

How much is a neck and back injury settlement, usually? There are a lot of factors that determine this number. Whether you were injured in an automobile accident or on the job site can determine who is culpable and what kind of damages you will be pursuing. It can be difficult to tell if you are making the right move, even if you are offered compensation through an employer or an insurance company. Workers’ compensation, if even offered, can ignore the compound costs of missed work, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.

Spinal cord injuries frequently start as minor neck and back pain but can grow into severe injuries. It can be difficult to know to what extent neck and back injuries will change your life, and therefore what kind of compensation is appropriate.

How is a settlement calculated?

The people on the other side of your case, be they insurance agents or corporate representatives, have one goal: to save their company money. Even if fault is easily assigned and it is obvious that you are owed a significant amount of money, it is likely that you will receive a sum that is more in line with corporate standards than your actual needs. This is why you need someone on your side who knows how to play the game, to make sure you know when to reject a lowball insurance settlement offer, or when not to press for more. Knowing how to find a top-rated attorney can make a huge difference in the outcome of your personal injury case.

The lawyers at Grimes & Fertitta are former defense lawyers for insurance agencies. We know what moves the insurance companies will make before they make them which can be a very useful attribute to have in your case.

Factors that may impact your settlement 

The severity and type of your injury

This is usually the largest determining factor, as it can be pretty hard to refute the injuries themselves or their costs. Here are some serious injuries that often result from car crashes and workplace accidents:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Herniated disc
• Broken or slipped vertebrae
• Sprains and strains

The need for ongoing treatment

Medical care does not stop at any determined point after an accident. People often need treatment for years, and in severe cases can require assistance in perpetuity. It is possible to end up responsible for significant medical costs even after reaching a settlement at the time of an accident. These factors are usually not covered by workers’ compensation, and are a great reminder of why hiring a Houston spinal cord injury lawyer should be at the top of your list after an accident.

Here are a few types of ongoing treatment that we frequently see:

• Physical therapy
• Medications and injections for pain management
• Chair lifts, wheelchairs, and other accessibility-related devices
• Diagnostic measures, MRIs, and more

Your ability to work in the future

Inability to work does not only mean lost wages –– it can mean loss of identity and purpose. Someone’s entire life can be thrown off-course because of the inability to work, and it can leave a person in a state that won’t be fixed by any dollar amount. The concept of pain and suffering exists to address these concerns.

These factors have the most serious implications and yet can be the most difficult to substantiate. The complex nature of personal injury settlements lies in these spaces because the true import of the case often lies in its more intangible qualities.

Proving negligence: How to hold the party responsible accountable  

Proving liability is not as simple as figuring out who caused the accident. You must prove that the at-fault party owed you a “duty of care” — like those owed by your employer or other drivers on the road –– that this duty was violated, and that this violation resulted in injuries for which damages are owed.

These things can be difficult to prove even for those with deep personal injury law experience. Do not consider going at it without a back and neck injury attorney that you can trust, like those at Grimes & Fertitta.

Types of damages to pursue

In keeping with the complex nature of personal injury claims, there are a few different types of damages to pursue. Some types of damages in a lawsuit for personal injury are:

Special compensatory damages

• Medical expenses cover medical costs like hospital bills, surgery and offsite procedure costs, medication costs, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and other caretaking expenses.
• Property damages are literal damages to your personal property at the time of the accident, most often a car or bicycle.
• Loss of wages takes into account past and future wages lost.

General compensatory damages

• Pain and suffering refer to long-term injury complications. You can be awarded both current and future damages for pain and suffering depending on the circumstances.
• Mental anguish is another immense factor that is often overlooked. It refers to depression, PTSD, or any other lasting mental conditions.
• Physical disfigurement or impairment is similar to long-term complications under pain and suffering but specifically related to physical disability.

Wrongful death damages

• Funeral expenses are meant to cover the cost of burials.
• Loss of financial contribution covers a deceased spouse or family member’s lost wages.
• Punitive damages are meant to punish the party responsible for the accident. These are less common than compensatory damages and are intended to ensure that the offending party does not repeat their mistakes.

Suffered a Neck and Back Injury? Grimes & Fertitta Will Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve.

How much is a neck and back injury settlement? Well, it depends on your case. At Grimes & Fertitta, we have made it our mission to make sure that no one is held responsible for the negligence of another party. There could be justice (and a settlement) waiting for you if you choose our legal firm to represent you in your personal injury case. As former insurance lawyers, we have the knowledge and the expertise needed to fight for your right to compensation.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident because of the negligence of another party, call Grimes & Fertitta at 713-224-7644 or contact us online to schedule a consultation today.

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