Back pain is a common experience often joked about as we get older. However, it can become debilitating and even prevent people from performing daily activities.
Over one million back-related injuries happen in the workplace every year. Many cases of back injury can also occur due to accidents or negligence. If you’ve been a victim of any of these, you may be able to seek compensation.
Soft tissue back injury settlement amounts can vary. This article covers the factors that can affect the settlement amount. Read on to discover more!
Circumstance of the Injury
Soft tissue back injuries often occur during exercise and sports. However, it can also result from excessive overuse or a falling accident. A person can only claim compensation for a back injury if it happened due to someone’s negligence.
For example, a restaurant is liable if it fails to clean up a spill, resulting in a slip-and-fall accident. If you get injured in the workplace due to unsafe working conditions, you can make a claim. Motorcycle or vehicular accidents are also eligible for compensation.
Severity and Impact of the Injury
The value of any injury claim depends on its severity and impact on the individual. Soft tissue refers to the body’s ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Common soft tissue injuries include sprains, strains, and contusions.
This type of injury has three levels of severity. A mild injury would result in swelling or tenderness, while a moderate injury may have some degree of tearing. A severe injury involves complete tears, resulting in high levels of pain and swelling.
Individuals may find that they’re unable to use the injured muscle or joint. A full recovery is possible, although it may take longer, depending on the injury.
A person who suffered a sprain may not receive as much compensation as someone who has life-changing injuries. However, severe soft tissue injuries can also permanently alter the injured body part. In this case, you may be able to receive a higher settlement amount.
What If I Was Partially at Fault?
The law of contributory negligence states that if you’re partially at fault for your injury, you will receive a reduced settlement amount. If the court finds that you’re 20% at fault for your injury, you will receive only 80% of any compensation.
An example would be when a worker fails to wear the proper safety equipment. Any compensation from a road accident will be reduced if you fail to wear a seatbelt or check the traffic. Contributory negligence claims can get complicated, so it’s best to talk to a back injury lawyer.
After an injury, you should focus on getting proper back pain treatment. If you’re suffering from chronic back problems, check out this spinal cord stimulation treatment.
Factors That Affect Soft Tissue Back Injury Settlement Amounts
Anyone who has suffered an injury due to negligence can seek compensation. However, factors like the severity, impact, and circumstances can affect the total amount. Here’s everything you need to know about soft tissue back injury settlement amounts.
If you want to learn more about dealing with back pain, check out our other blog posts. We have more tips on back pain management to help you live your best life.
