Fayetteville Cervical Spine Injuries Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

The cervical spine is the upper part of your spinal column in your neck.  Severe injuries to the spinal cord at this location typically result in serious injuries that can leave the victim paralyzed while less severe injuries can even leave the victim with substantial pain and suffering for the rest of their lives. 

If you or a loved one suffered a cervical spine injury in the workplace in Arkansas, contact our Fayetteville cervical spine injury Workers’ Compensation lawyer today.  Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, has decades of experience representing workers with a broad range of injuries, including permanent paralysis and other serious results from cervical spine injuries.  To schedule a free legal consultation on your Workers’ Compensation claim, contact our law offices today at (479) 316-0438. 

Information on Cervical Spine Injuries

The spinal column is made up of the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves and spinal fluid, which is housed inside the bones of your spinal column, called vertebrae.  Each vertebra is separated from the next by a softer disc of tissue that pads the bones and helps you handle impact without damaging any the bones or nerves. 

Each section of your spine has a different name: 

• The top 7 vertebrae in your neck make up the cervical spine. 
• The next 12 vertebrae down your back make up the thoracic spine. 
• The next 5 vertebrae in your lower back make up the lumbar spine. 
• The 5 vertebrae fused together down into your hips make up the sacrum. 

• Your tail bone contains 4 fused vertebrae and is called the coccyx. 

Your spinal cord sends signals from your brain down your back to control the rest of your body.  Signals to other parts of your head and face typically do not go down into the spinal column, but nearly every other signal is routed down through your spine.  Injuries to your spine can damage the spinal cord and cut off signals below the point of injury. Because of this, injuries to the cervical spine are some of the most severe injuries you can face. 

A broken neck is often considered a fatal injury because it can cut off signals to the processes that keep you alive, such as signals telling your lungs to breath and your heart to pump blood.  Still, many cervical spine injuries are survivable, though they may still lead to permanent pain or disabilities. 

Symptoms of Cervical Spine Injuries

Injuries to the lower vertebrae of the cervical spine, such as the C5, C6, or C7 vertebrae, may not damage nerves severely enough to stop vital bodily functions in every case.  However, these injuries may still cause quadriplegia or tetraplegia – paralysis in all four limbs.  Less severe injuries can require treatment by fusing the vertebrae together, causing discomfort, pain, and reduced range of movement. 

Other injuries may only damage the soft tissue (discs) or bones in the neck without damaging the nerves.  These injuries can require surgery to repair herniated discs or broken bones, but these injuries are not typically life-threatening. 

Still, any injury to the neck and spine can cause intense discomfort which often lasts for the rest of your life.  More serious injuries can result in numbness, tingling sensations, pain, twitches, spasms, or total paralysis below the point of injury. 

Filing Workers’ Compensation for a Cervical Spine Injury in Arkansas

If you or a loved one suffered an injury to your cervical spine in Arkansas, contact an attorney right away.  If you were injured at work, you may be entitled to file for Workers’ Compensation which can support you and your family and help pay for your medical expenses without any need to prove that your boss or employer caused the injuries. 

If you sue for an injury in court, you must prove that the party you are suing was responsible for your injuries before you can receive compensation.  If you were injured by a coworker or a contractor at work, this means you may not be able to sue your employer directly.  Workers’ comp. ignores who is at fault and merely works to get you the help you need.  The primary qualifying element is that your injury or condition is work-related. 

Workers’ compensation can pay you benefits for your medical care costs and lost wages.  The cost of healthcare and ongoing care after a cervical spine injury can be substantial, and these costs should be covered in full if you receive Workers’ Compensation coverage.  While you are unable to work, you may also be entitled to 66% of your normal wages to help support yourself and your family aside from the covered medical costs.  Since many cervical spine injuries are permanent, these benefits may be necessary. 

Contact Our Fayetteville Cervical Spine Injury Lawyer for a Free Legal Consultation on Your Workers’ Comp. Case

If you or a loved one suffered a severe cervical spine injury at work, contact Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law today.  Our Fayetteville cervical spine injury Workers’ Compensation lawyer represents injury victims and their families and works to get them the coverage they need for medical bills and lost wages.  For help with your case and to schedule a free legal consultation, call our law offices today at (479) 316-0438.