What Is Cervicalgia and How It Affects Your Personal Injury Claim

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, a slip and fall mishap, or any other type of incident causing trauma to your neck that has resulted in localized pain, you may be suffering from cervicalgia. This is a general medical term used to refer to neck pain that originates from the cervical spine – the upper portion of the spine that supports your head. This pain does not radiate to other areas of the upper body, but it can have a massive impact on your quality of life, and ability to work. If you’re looking to file a cervicalgia personal injury claim, understanding what cervicalgia is, and how it can impact your claim is critical to getting the compensation you deserve. As experienced personal injury lawyers, we will be using our experience today to provide an overview of what you need to know.

An Introduction to What Cervicalgia Is & What Factors Cause It

Cervicalgia or pain specific to the neck region, is often overlooked but can result from physical activities that involve the use of improper posture, sudden jerks of the neck, or that have the potential for spinal injuries. The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae separated by shock-absorbing discs, as well as nerves, muscles, ligaments, and blood vessels that support the head and enable a full range of motion in the head, neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. If you experience abrupt strains or injury to any of these areas, as one would in a rear-end or head-on vehicle collision, this can lead to cervicalgia. Now that you know what cervicalgia is, here are factors that can cause it:

• Trauma: A sudden impact or force that causes the neck to move beyond its normal range of motion, such as in a car accident, a fall, or a sports injury.
• Degeneration: The natural wear and tear of the cervical spine due to aging or overuse, which can lead to disc herniation, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, or spondylosis.
• Posture: Poor posture or prolonged sitting or standing in an awkward position can strain the muscles and ligaments of the neck and cause inflammation and pain.
• Stress: Emotional or psychological stress can cause muscle tension and spasms in the neck and shoulders, which can compress the nerves and cause pain.
• Infection: A bacterial or viral infection that affects the bones, discs, or soft tissues of the neck can cause inflammation and pain.
• Other conditions: Some medical conditions that impact the whole body, such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, or meningitis, can also cause neck pain.

What Are The Symptoms of Cervicalgia?

The symptoms of cervicalgia can vary depending on the cause and severity of the condition. Some common symptoms include:

• Persistent pain in the neck, including discomfort when moving it.
• A reduced range of motion and stiffness and/or tension.
• Frequent headaches and/or dizziness.
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
• Muscle weakness/spasms in the neck and shoulders.
• Numbness/tingling in the arms/hands.
• The neck is tender/sensitive to the touch.
• You find yourself having difficulty sleeping or concentrating.

If you believe you have cervicalgia after an accident, it is important to have a medical professional examine you, take your medical history, and provide you with a diagnosis as it could impact your personal injury claim.

Getting A Diagnosis & Treatment For Cervicalgia After An Accident

To get a diagnosis for cervicalgia, a medical professional must complete a physical examination of the neck, and take down a detailed list of your medical history. You may be asked to take tests to rule out other causes of neck pain and to determine the extent of the damage caused to the cervical spine. These tests may include:

• X-rays: To show the alignment and structure of the bones in the neck.
• MRI: To get a look at the soft tissues and nerves in the neck.
• CT Scan: To get a detailed look at the alignment of the bones and discs in the neck.
• EMG: To measure the electrical activity of the muscles and nerves.
• Blood tests: to see if there is inflammation or infection present.

The treatment of cervicalgia depends on the cause and severity of the condition. The main goals of treatment are to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, restore function, and prevent further damage. Some common treatment options include:

• Medication: To reduce pain and inflammation, such as anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, analgesics, or corticosteroids.
• Physical therapy: To improve mobility and strength in the neck through exercises, stretches, massage, heat therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or traction.
• Chiropractic care: To adjust the alignment and movement of the cervical spine through manual manipulation or mobilization techniques.
• Acupuncture: To stimulate specific points on the body with needles to relieve pain and promote healing.
• Surgery: To remove damaged discs or bone spurs, decompress nerves, fuse vertebrae, or implant artificial discs

When filing a cervicalgia personal injury claim, knowing how the diagnosis was handed down, how severe your condition is, and what treatments are required to get you functioning again, is a must for helping you prove your case. Since cervicalgia is a general term used to describe neck pain, it may be difficult to establish a clear link between it and your accident, making it challenging to win due compensation.

How Cervicalgia Can Affect Your Personal Injury Claim: Challenges To Overcome

If you have suffered cervicalgia as a result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you have the option of filing a cervicalgia personal injury claim. This claim can help cover medical expenses and other damages resulting from the accident. However, proving your claim can be challenging due to several factors:

• It is not a specific diagnosis, but a general term that covers various causes and symptoms of neck pain. This can make it difficult to establish a clear link between your condition and your accident.
• It can have multiple contributing factors besides trauma, such as age-related degeneration or pre-existing conditions. This can make it difficult to determine how much of the pain can be attributed to the accident.
• Cervicalgia can have subjective and variable symptoms that are hard to measure objectively. This can make it difficult to quantify the extent of your impairment and disability.
• Cervicalgia can be treated with conservative and non-invasive methods that may not leave any visible evidence of your injury. This can make it difficult to demonstrate the severity of your condition and the need for ongoing care.

To overcome these challenges, you need to have strong evidence to support your cervicalgia personal injury claim, such as:

• Medical records: To document your diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and expenses related to your cervicalgia.
• Expert testimony: To explain the cause, nature, and impact of your cervicalgia on your health and function.
• Witness statements: To corroborate your account of the accident and your symptoms.
• Photos or videos: To show the scene of the accident and your injuries.
• Income records: To show the loss of earnings or earning capacity due to your cervicalgia.

It is essential to consult with a personal injury lawyer to understand the legalities surrounding your personal injury claim and how your cervicalgia diagnosis may affect it. A skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer will not only advocate for your rights, but also help you: investigate the facts and circumstances of your accident, identify and pursue liable parties and sources of compensation, negotiate with insurance companies and defense lawyers, prepare and file a lawsuit, and represent you in court or at trial if necessary.

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If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident and are experiencing symptoms of cervicalgia, don’t hesitate to reach out to Personal Injury of Florida for a free consultation. You can give us a call at 561-507-5700 any day of the week at any time – day or night. We have the knowledge and resources to handle complex cervicalgia personal injury claims and will work hard to obtain the maximum compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Let us take care of your legal matters, while you focus on your recovery.