Whiplash is a neck injury that is caused when the head and neck are suddenly moved back and forth. This can happen in a car accident, during a sporting event, or even if you are violently shaken. Whiplash can cause persistent pain, stiffness, and headaches. In some cases, it can also lead to a facet joint injury.
If you are experiencing a facet joint injury due to someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation for any medical treatment you receive for your injury. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today for what steps to take next to recover compensation for costs related to your treatment.
Whiplash Symptoms
Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) is a term used to describe the range of symptoms that can occur due to an acute whiplash injury. WAD can cause significant disability and affect your ability to work or participate in normal activities.
The most common symptoms of whiplash are:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, or fingers
- Reduced range of motion
- Blurred vision
- Radiating pain in the arms
What Are Facet Joints?
Facet joints are the joints that connect each vertebra in your cervical spine. There are two facet joints at each level of your spine, one on each side. These joints allow your spine to move and twist. They also help to keep the vertebrae in alignment.
Facet joint whiplash injuries occur when these joints are damaged in a car accident. The damage can be caused by the force of the impact, by the vertebrae being forced out of alignment, or when the spine is compressed.
Facet Joint Pain Symptoms
Facet joint pain is a common sign of whiplash. The pain is usually worse when you move your neck or head. You may also feel pain in your shoulders, upper back, or arms. The pain can range from mild to severe and may last for days, weeks, or even months.
Nerve Damage
One of the most common symptoms of facet joint whiplash is nerve damage. This can occur when the bones in the spine compress the nerves that travel through them. This can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms and legs. It can also lead to weakness or paralysis if the nerves are severely damaged.
Headaches
Another common symptom of facet joint whiplash neck injuries is headaches. These can be caused by damage to the nerves or by the inflammation of the joints in the spine. The pain from these headaches can range from mild to severe. In some cases, they may even be constant.
Diagnosis of a Facet Joint Injury
Your doctor will first take a medical history to rule out other mechanical neck disorders and ask about your symptoms to diagnose a facet joint injury. They will then do a physical examination of your neck and spine. Imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, may also be ordered to look for damage to soft tissue.
Long-Term Complications of a Facet Joint Injury
While most people with facet joint whiplash recover without long-term complications, some may experience chronic neck pain, stiffness, and headaches. A facet joint injury can lead to a serious cervical spine injury if left untreated. These include disk herniation, spinal cord compression, and nerve damage. Treatment is important to prevent these complications from occurring.
Disc Herniation
Disc herniation is a condition that can occur when the discs in your spine become damaged. The discs are the cushions between the vertebrae. They help to absorb shock and keep the spine healthy. When they become damaged, they can bulge or rupture and put pressure on the nerves in your spine. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness. Disc herniation is a serious condition that can require surgery to correct.
Spinal Cord Compression
Spinal cord compression is another serious condition that can occur due to facet joint whiplash. This occurs when the nerves in your spine are compressed. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness. In some cases, it can also lead to paralysis. Spinal cord compression is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Cervical Spine Injury
Facet joint whiplash can also lead to a cervical spine injury. This is when the bones in the neck are damaged. This can cause pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders. It can also lead to problems with balance and coordination. In some cases, it may even cause paralysis.
Treatment for Facet Joint Injuries
If you have been injured in a car accident and believe that you may have a whiplash or a facet joint injury, it is important to see a doctor right away. Treatment for this condition will vary depending on the severity of the injury.
If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to see a doctor to get the treatment you need. In some cases, pain medication and physical therapy may be all that is required.
Can You File a Lawsuit for Facet Joint Injuries Caused by Whiplash?
To determine whether you have a case, it is important to speak with a car accident lawyer at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., who will review the facts of your situation and advise you on your best course of action.
Our team is here to support accident victims. We will help you gather evidence to support your claim and negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company for fair compensation.
What Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Do For You
The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.
Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.
We Get You Results
Many factors go into determining the value of your case. These include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our attorneys have experience evaluating cases just like yours to determine what they may be worth and will work hard to get you fair compensation for your injuries.
Here are a few of our case results:
- $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
- $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
- $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
- $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
- $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
- $1 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.
Contact an Accident Lawyer Today
If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600 or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.