5 COMMON CAUSES OF NECK PAIN CITED IN PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS

Neck pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain. In a National Institute of Health Statistics survey, 15 percent of respondents reported suffering from neck pain. This percentage was second only to lower back pain, which affected 27 percent of respondents, and tied with severe headaches.

Neck injuries are frequently cited in personal injury claims. In this blog, we list five of the most common sources of neck pain that could lead to a personal injury claim.

Falls account for a significant number of neck pain cases, especially neck pain that begins due to an injury in the workplace. A fall from any height, including slip-and-fall incidents on a level surface, can result in neck misalignment and pain. However, falls from a height, such as off a ladder or from an upper story of a building to a lower story, are particularly likely to cause neck problems.

When a fall results from unsafe working conditions that should have been addressed by an employer, the injured employee may be eligible to file a personal injury claim. For example, if a fall from scaffolding occurs due to outdated equipment or a trip-and-fall incident occurs due to debris the employer should have cleaned up.

2. Object Impact 

The term object impact injury describes an incident where an individual collides with an object — whether the collision occurs when an object falls or when the person walks into a stationary object. For example, hitting your head on a low doorway and being hit by a stray foul ball both qualify as object impact injuries. If the impact occurs near the shoulders, upper arms, head, or neck, then these incidents are highly likely to result in neck pain.

Object impact injuries often happen in workplaces, especially construction and warehouse job sites. These injuries may also be cited in general personal injury claims as well. For example, if a person negligently dropped or threw an object into traffic, off a building, or into a crowd, then the resulting injuries could qualify as a personal injury.

When you lift a heavy object, you engage your entire spine. When you lift a load that is too heavy or lift any load improperly, then the motion can strain the muscles of the upper body, including the neck. This type of overexertion is particularly common for workers whose occupations include carrying heavy loads, such as movers and construction workers.

While many repetitive-motion injuries affect small muscle groups like the wrists and hands, the positions assumed during repetitive motions can affect other parts of the body as well. For example, a clerical worker who leans forward while typing is likely to experience neck pain as a result.

Repetitive-motion neck injuries are particularly likely for individuals with head-forward posture since this position puts constant strain on the neck muscles and joints.

The head and neck are highly vulnerable to damage during collisions, especially car accidents. A collision at a significant speed can cause whiplash, which visibly alters the alignment of the vertebrae in the neck and can change the range of motion in the affected area.

The most common cause of whiplash injuries is rear-end collisions, but this type of injury can also occur when playing sports or riding roller coasters. If a car accident results from the negligence or recklessness of the at-fault party, the injured party may have a claim.

If you are suffering from neck pain related to an accident, workplace injury, or repetitive motion required by your occupation, then you may have a personal injury claim. Schedule a consultation at the Law Offices Of Wells and McElwee, P.C. to determine whether the cause of your neck pain makes you eligible for a personal injury claim.