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What Is the Average Settlement for a Back Injury?

Posted on December 26, 2022 in

Injuring your back in a preventable accident, such as a car crash or slip and fall, can lead to lifelong pain, discomfort and disability. In Arizona, you may be eligible for a financial settlement to help you pay for past and future expenses connected to your back injury. Hiring a personal injury attorney in Scottsdale may be necessary to achieve the case results that you deserve.

Minor vs. Severe Back Injuries

It is difficult to determine how much a back injury case is worth based on averages, as each case is 100 percent unique. One of the determining factors when calculating a back injury settlement, however, is the severity of the injury. If the injury is classified as minor, such as a pinched nerve or minor muscle strain in the victim’s back, the value of the settlement may be on the lower end. 

If you suffer a catastrophic back or spinal cord injury in an accident in Arizona, on the other hand, the value of your claim could be significant. A catastrophic injury is one that will most likely affect the victim for life, such as paralysis or permanent nerve damage. Other examples of serious back injuries are slipped disks, ruptured or herniated disks, spinal fractures, spinal compression or crush injuries, and spinal cord tears.  A back or spinal cord injury attorney in Scottsdale can help you determine the value of your case and guide you through the legal process.

If your doctor or a medical expert states that you will most likely have to deal with pain, immobility or other issues connected to your back injury for the foreseeable future or the rest of your life, this will increase the value of your settlement. Other factors that affect your settlement can include your age, how much you were earning prior to the accident, the number of defendants, the insurance coverage available and the actions of the defendant(s).

Types of Compensation Available for a Back Injury

One of the first steps in seeking fair financial compensation for your back injury claim in Arizona is to make a list of your compensable losses. A personal injury claim in Arizona could result in financial compensation for your economic and noneconomic damages. This means you could recover compensation for the following types of losses:

  • Past and future medical expenses and health care costs
  • Required necessary doctor’s appointments, medications and medical devices
  • Long-term or permanent disability damages
  • Losses of income, wages and future employment opportunities
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional damage and psychological distress
  • Lost quality or enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Wrongful death damages, if applicable
  • Punitive damages (in some cases)

A spinal cord injury attorney can help you create your list of compensable losses. Then, with this information, your lawyer can submit a demand letter to one or more insurance companies and help you negotiate for just financial compensation for your back injury. You may deserve much more than what an insurance company initially offers you.

Average Back Injury Settlements 

The bottom line is that there is no such thing as an average settlement for a back injury. Some plaintiffs receive $10,000 or less while others receive hundreds of thousands for catastrophic spinal cord injuries. The value of your case is something that you will need to discuss in detail with an attorney for a clear, accurate answer. 

It is important to have a conversation with a lawyer before accepting a settlement offer from an insurance company for a back injury. Insurance providers often attempt to pay as little as possible for back injuries by offering low settlements. Your personal injury attorney can give you an accurate portrayal of how much your case is worth based on the factors that are unique to you. Then, your attorney will go up against an insurance provider – in or out of court – to pursue maximum financial compensation on your behalf.