Portland Neck Injury Attorney

Neck and back injuries are sometimes dismissed as minor aches and pains. Overtime, however, they can cause ongoing issues with chronic pain and mobility, inhibiting the ability to work or otherwise enjoy a normal life. If you or someone you know suffered a back or neck injury as the result of the negligence of another person, it is important to seek the help of a personal injury lawyer.

The Johnston Law Firm, P.C., represents people throughout the Portland metro who suffer from back and neck injuries, including neck strain, whiplash, slipped disks, spinal cord damage, separated vertebrae and others. We understand the seriousness of these injuries and are committed to helping you recover the compensation you deserve after an accident. You can count on us to fight on your behalf, so you can focus on your recovery.

One of the most devastating injuries that you can sustain is a spinal cord injury, also called an SCI. The spinal cord consists of nerve bundles that constantly carry messages between your brain and the rest of your body. If you sustain trauma to your back or neck that causes a fracture, dislocation, or other types of injury to your vertebrae, it can compress or tear into the nerves and spinal cord tissue, causing serious damage and interrupting the signals that allow your body to function. As you can imagine, this type of injury requires immediate medical attention and often long-lasting treatment.

The effects of spinal cord injuries can vary substantially from one victim to another. Spinal injuries are generally separated into two categories:

• Complete Injury: A complete injury means that the victim loses all movement and sensory abilities below the point of the damage, resulting in complete paralysis.
• Incomplete Injury: An incomplete injury can impair some functioning below the point of damage though victim’s retain some sensation and movement.  

In addition to the complete and incomplete distinction, victims may experience symptoms of spinal cord injuries either temporarily or permanently. Some patients regain mobility with time and treatment while others are permanently paraplegic or quadriplegic.

If you have been injured in the workplace, you may be wondering whether or not you have a personal injury claim. Typically, those who suffer a back or a neck injury at work must file workers’ compensation claims in order to recover benefits, and are barred from filing a claim against their employers as a result. That being said, an injured worker may have a third-party liability claim. A third-party claim is a type of claim brought against someone other than the worker’s employer. For example, if a construction worker is injured by a drunk driver (not related to the construction company) at a roadside construction site, the worker may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party liability claim against the at-fault driver. As such, if you have been injured at work, don’t hesitate to talk to our personal injury lawyers about your options if a third-party’s negligence played a role in your injuries.

The value of a neck or spine injury claim varies depending on the severity of the injury and the effects it has on your daily life. Understanding these issues is essential to the success of your personal injury case. Our firm will work with your doctor to understand the extent of your current injury and any potential long-term complications. We also typically work with financial experts to help us calculate a fair dollar amount to pursue in negotiations or at trial. Our goal is to recover a fair amount for your financial costs of medical bills and lost wages, as well as compensate you for any emotional suffering.