Neck Injuries

Morrow & Sheppard LLP is privileged to represent injured persons who suffer serious neck injuries as the result of another party’s wrongful conduct or negligence. Whether you injured your neck while working offshore or in a motor vehicle accident, a dedicated Houston neck injury attorney at our firm stands ready to help you secure the compensation you deserve. To ensure your legal rights aren’t jeopardized by a corporation, insurance company, or employer, speak with one of our lawyers immediately following your injury.

Many people do not realize how important the neck is to everyday life. A serious neck injury, as seen by our Houston personal injury lawyers, is often a completely disabling source of pain.

Your neck is composed of several parts that must work together for your body to function properly. These include:

• The cervical spine, which includes several bones and joints.
• Seven fluid-filled cervical discs and 23 total discs in the spinal column that separate the cervical vertebrae and absorb shock when you move.
• Muscles and ligaments that hold the cervical spine together.

Slip and fall accidents, work accidents, car accidents, and trucking accidents often result in neck injuries or spinal cord injuries. The neck area is a sensitive part of the body and even seemingly minor accidents can result in a variety of injuries, including:

• Cervical dislocation – when bones in the neck move out of position and render the spine unstable.
• Herniated disc – the fluid inside the discs is pushed out, causing damage to nearby nerves.
• Neck fracture – a break in a cervical bone often caused by a traumatic accident.
• Spinal cord injuries (SCI) – an injury to the third vertebrae or above can cause death or result in the injured person requiring a respirator to breathe.
• Strains and sprains – injuries to muscles and ligaments often caused by trauma, accidents, or heavy lifting required by an employer.
• Whiplash and whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) – usually caused when the injured person’s head is hyperextended and quickly thrown forward. This serious injury can cause a variety of symptoms including dizziness, inability to sleep, pain, tingling, and weakness. It is well-documented that whiplash and WAD often do not materialize until days after an accident.

The severity of a neck injury is often related to the vertebrae (C1-C7) that have been injured. For example:

• C1-C3 vertebrae injuries: the diaphragm may no longer function, which can result in death or require the use of a ventilator to breathe.
• C4 vertebrae injuries: loss of shoulder and biceps function.
• C5 vertebrae injuries: wrists, hands, shoulders, and biceps may not function.
• C6 vertebrae injuries: hands and wrists may not function.
• C7 vertebrae injuries: arms, fingers, and hands may not function.