If your child suffers from neck or back pain caused by an accident in Orange County, California, he or she could be facing a very serious injury with long-lasting effects. The muscles and bones in the neck and back are essential to many motor functions and, without these, your child may have lifelong limitations.
Compassionate attorney Woods Williford knows what it takes to seek the compensation your child needs to recover from a neck or back injury. Contact our office today at (888) 340-2440 to discuss your case.
Neck Pain in Children
Neck pain may result from strained muscles or a more serious injury, but determining the extent of the injury can be difficult without a physical examination by a doctor.
The neck protects your child's spinal cord, and a bone fracture in the neck can cause spinal cord damage. Spinal cord damage is permanent and can dramatically affect the rest of your child's life.
Whiplash is a soft tissue neck injury that occurs when the force from impact forces the child's head forward and it suddenly snaps back, typically caused by a motor vehicle or sports accident. Some children have pain and neck stiffness months after the accident or may have chronic pain for the rest of their lives.
Other accidents that can cause neck injuries in children are falling from significant heights or sustaining a direct blow to the top or back of the head.
If your child complains of neck pain or you notice his or her head cocked to one side, contact your child's doctor or call 911 immediately.
Back Pain in Children
Unlike adults, back pain in children is more likely to indicate a serious underlying injury, especially in children under four years old. The back is a complex structure, and an accident could affect the vertebrae, muscles, ligaments, or the spinal cord. Your child may experience muscle weakness or shooting pain through the legs as a result of the back injury, severely limiting the ability to participate in activities and overall quality of life.
Children under age 9 are more likely to damage their cervical spine, while children over age 9 are more likely to damage the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine.
Your child's doctor may use an X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scan, or positron emission tomography (PET) scan to determine the reason for your child's back pain. Depending on the nature and severity of your child's back injury, treatment may include wearing a halo device or surgically fusing two vertebrae. Your child may need extensive physical therapy for years after the injury.
Contact a California Child Neck and Back Pain Injury Attorney
If your child suffers from neck or back pain caused by an accident in California, contact Woods Williford, P.C. for experienced legal representation. Neck or back pain can indicate very serious injuries, and some of these injuries may affect your child for the rest of his or her life. Our team fights for just compensation for your child.
Call us today at (888) 340-2440 or fill out our online form for a free consultation.