There are very large numbers of claims for back injury following accidents every year. The range of accidents, which can give rise to this type of personal in injury, is very wide. For example, you may suffer back injuries following motorcycle accidents or car accidents. Older people often sustain serious back injuries in slipping and tripping accidents.
Accidents at work often result
in personal injury to the back. This may be, for example due to lifting heavy objects. When a heavy object is lifted, increased pressure is put on the lumbar spine. If the weight is lifted incorrectly and it is positioned too far in front of the spine, the back muscles have to exert a tremendous force to keep the body upright. This can cause the muscles to strain or tear or result in a hernia damaging a disc. Clearly, there is a risk of serious personal injury giving rise to the possibility of a compensation claim if it was inappropriate to lift a heavy weight or inadequate equipment or training was provided for the purpose.
Accidents in the home often
result in personal injury to the back. Where someone else was to blame for your accident, you may make a claim for personal injury. The variety of circumstances that can result in accidents in the home is infinite. Just by way of simple example, you may climb a stepladder to change a light bulb. If the ladder collapses or topples over due to faulty manufacture, you may well land on your back and suffer very serious personal injury and you would be entitle to make a personal injury claim against the manufacturer, the retailer or the importer of the ladder.
The guidelines issued by the Judicial Studies Board for back injuries tell us that compensation awards will range from about £4000 to about £90,000.
Of
course, it is not in every case that back pain or injury to the back will give rise to a claim for personal injury.
In fact, it is believed that as much as 80 percent of back pain can be attributed to lack of exercise and poor physical fitness. Strong muscles, especially the abdominal muscles, support the back and help distribute weight when heavy weights are lifted. Back and abdominal muscles that have lost their flexibility and strength cause more stress to be placed on the ligaments.
Excess body weight, which is often carried in a person's abdomen, also puts extra strain on the lower back. Being overweight can make it more difficult to exercise and keep the muscles in the back and abdomen strong and flexible. Of course, certain sports and activities may be associated with back pain and injury.
If you have suffered a back
injury or are suffering from back pain and you think it
has been caused
by an accident where soemone else was to blame, please call Accident Aid for free no obligation advice. We are always happy to assist.
