Back Injury Guide

Back injuries can be devastating, significantly impacting your life and rendering even the most active individuals suddenly unable to perform simple tasks. These injuries often happen after sudden trauma or due to someone else’s negligence—like a car crash, a fall, or a work-related incident—and the effects can linger long after the accident itself.

Legally Reviewed by:

Mark S. Gervelis, Esq.

Last Updated:

December 19, 2025

Understanding the causes and types of back injuries, how they are diagnosed, and the legal options available can help you protect your health and rights after a back injury.

Common Causes of Back Injuries

Back injuries can happen in many ways. Accidents involving sudden impact or trauma often cause them, and common accidents that may lead to back injuries include:

Car accidents: Rear-end collisions and other types of crashes can cause back injuries due to the sudden force and violent impact.
Slip and fall accidents: A sudden fall or forceful impact can injure the spine or strain muscles and tendons, especially if you twist or fall awkwardly.
Workplace accidents: Lifting a heavy object or performing repetitive actions at work can cause a sudden injury or lead to overexertion from the constant strain.
Sports accidents: Falling or harsh impacts from recreational activities or sports can lead to injuries.

Back injuries can result from sudden forces and impacts, or from movements that cause your spine to twist or shift unnaturally or unexpectedly. They may also occur due to repetitive activities, such as weightlifting, prolonged sitting or standing, twisting and bending, or engaging in awkward movements. If left untreated, symptoms are likely to worsen over time. In some cases, severe back injuries may even result in a wrongful death.

Common Back Injuries

Different injuries can affect the soft tissues, nerves, bones, joints, and discs of the spine. All back injuries can cause pain that makes it hard for victims to move, and more serious injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis.

Common back injuries caused by an accident you can suffer from include:

Herniated or bulging discs: Damage to the soft tissue between the vertebrae, pushing it into the spine or nerves.
Fractured vertebrae: A break in the bones of the spine.
Soft-tissue injuries: The muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the spine being overstretched or torn.
Compression fractures: The force of an accident can collapse or crush the vertebrae of the spine, potentially pinching and compressing nerves, such as the sciatic nerve.
Facet joint injury: Damage or irritation to the connecting joints between vertebrae.
Chronic back pain triggered by trauma: Some injuries can lead to ongoing pain that may flare during physical activity or stressful times.

Back injuries may cause sharp or persistent pain, muscle spasms, tingling, numbness, or radiating pain that affects mobility. Back pain makes it difficult to move, sit, bend, or perform daily activities. Without proper care or preventative care, your initial injuries can develop into chronic issues and pain.

How Are Back Injuries Diagnosed?

Seeking medical attention as soon as possible can help confirm the cause of your symptoms and prevent complications. Clearly describe all your symptoms and the impact of the pain on your daily life.

Health care professionals can diagnose back injuries through:

Physical exams to test your ability to sit, stand, and walk, as well as the strength in your legs
X-rays of the spine to get images of broken bones
CT or MRI scans to get images of muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and tendons of the spine
Electromyography (EMG) to test nerves and muscles
Blood tests to rule out possible infections

Seeking medical care as soon as possible is crucial to prevent your condition from worsening, ensure that injuries are not overlooked, and provide documentation of your injury and any medical treatment you receive.

Long-Term Effects of Back Injuries

Back injuries can affect far more than your physical comfort. They may limit your ability to work, drive, sleep, exercise, or keep up with household responsibilities—sometimes for months or longer. Even after treatment, some people face ongoing restrictions that change what daily life looks like.

If a back injury occurs due to an accident or unsafe conditions, it may also raise questions about who is responsible and what support may be available.

What to Know About Your Legal Options After a Back Injury

If your back injury happened because of an accident or unsafe conditions, you may have options to pursue compensation through an insurance claim or, in some situations, a personal injury lawsuit. Even if you’re initially unsure which option may apply to your situation, two things are consistently important:

Medical documentation: Records, imaging results, treatment plans, and follow-up visits help show what you are dealing with and why you need care.
Accident evidence: Photos, reports, witness information, and timelines can help connect the injury to what happened—especially when insurance companies question whether a back injury is “serious” or related to the incident

Ohio Laws That May Affect Your Back Injury Claim

In Ohio, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the accident. Liability rules depend on how the injury happened. For example, in premises liability cases, like a slip and fall, you generally must show the property owner or occupier failed to take reasonable steps to address a hazard or warn people about it.

Ohio also uses a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning that generally, you may still recover damages if you are 50%or less responsible for the accident—but your share of fault will influence your recovery. For example, if you’re found to be 20% responsible for an accident, your compensation will be decreased by that percentage.

How Can An Attorney Help After a Back Injury Caused by Negligence?

A back injury lawyer can address your questions and assess whether you have a valid case. Your attorney will investigate liability, collect evidence, calculate your total damages, manage paperwork, and help secure a fair settlement for your injuries. You can be confident they will prioritize your best interests while building your case.

The injury lawyers at Gervelis Law Firm will handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies for you. Insurers often try to shift blame, dispute or deny claims, or lower victims’ payouts, but an attorney can help defend you against these tactics. If insurance refuses a fair settlement, we will pursue your case in court.

What Compensation Can Back Injury Victims Receive After an Accident?

If another person’s negligence leads to your back injuries, you may be able to seek both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover financial elements such as current medical expenses, bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and future medical costs.

Non-economic damages compensate for the emotional and physical toll of the injury, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, diminished quality of life, and loss of physical abilities or enjoyment of activities.

If Someone Else Caused Your Back Injury, Take Action Today

Recovering from a back injury can be overwhelming, and you don’t have to face it alone. Depending on your situation, you may be able to recover the costs of your treatment, as well as other related expenses.

The attorneys at the Gervelis Law Firm have years of experience handling complex injury claims, serving areas throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania. We will fight tirelessly on your behalf and take pride in providing our clients with aggressive and effective legal representation, so they can focus on what matters: their recovery.

C ontact Gervelis Law Firm today for a free consultation or call (866) 792-2728.