Back injuries are regrettably common in car crashes, slip and fall incidents, and other preventable accidents. This happens because the back absorbs an intense amount of pressure and force upon impact, and the outcome can lead to ongoing pain and even permanent impairment.
One injury that’s especially painful is a lumbar compression fracture, which happens when one or more of the vertebrae in your lower back becomes compressed or collapses. You’ll need extensive medical treatment that may include spinal surgery, and in extreme cases, the injury may prevent you from working a job or even living a normal life. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about lumbar compression fracture settlements and how an experienced personal injury lawyer can maximize your compensation.
What Compensation Can You Get for a Compression Fracture?
If you suffered a compression fracture due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Georgia law allows injury victims to recover damages for both the financial impact and the physical pain caused by the bodily injury. Whether your case involves an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit, maximum compensation often depends on the severity of your fracture, your recovery time, and how the injury affects your daily life.
Here are the main types of compensation you may be eligible for:
- Medical Care Expenses: You may be able to recover the full cost of your medical treatment, including hospital bills, imaging tests (like X-rays or MRIs), surgery, medications, and follow-up visits. This can also include physical therapy, massage therapy, or chiropractic care if prescribed for your recovery. Future medical costs may also be covered if your bodily injury leads to long-term or permanent health issues.
- Lost Wages: If your compression fracture keeps you from working, either temporarily or permanently, you can seek fair compensation for lost income. This includes both past wages and any future loss of earning potential if you're no longer able to work. Pay stubs, tax records, or a letter from your employer can help document your loss.
- Pain and Suffering: This non-economic damage covers the physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress caused by your injury. A compression fracture can lead to chronic pain, loss of mobility, and frustration with limited activity. In Georgia, there’s no fixed formula for calculating pain and suffering; it’s based on how the injury has changed your quality of life.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injury prevents you from doing activities you once enjoyed (like hobbies, sports, or travel), you may be compensated for that loss. This type of damage reflects how the fracture affects your quality of life beyond just work or income. Georgia courts consider testimony, medical reports, and your own statements about how your daily life has changed.
- Permanent Disability or Disfigurement: If the fracture causes lasting damage, you may be entitled to higher compensation. For example, if you’ve developed a hunched posture, lost mobility, or suffer from nerve damage, it could increase your personal injury claim value.
- Out-of-Pocket Costs: You can also be reimbursed for expenses directly related to your injury, such as travel to medical appointments, home modifications, or assistive devices like a back brace. Keeping receipts and a log of expenses helps support this part of your accident claim.
- Punitive Damages (in Rare Cases): If the at-fault party acted with extreme recklessness or intentional harm, such as driving under the influence, you may be eligible for punitive damages. Under Georgia law, punitive damages are capped at $250,000 in most cases, unless the harm resulted from DUI or intentional misconduct.
How Much is a Compression Fracture Settlement?
Average settlement values for compression fractures vary widely, as they depend on the severity of the fracture, medical treatment requirements, and long-term impact on the injured person’s life. Below are common settlement ranges based on these factors.
- Mild to Moderate Compression Fractures: In cases where the fracture is stable and responds to conservative treatment (such as bed rest, pain medication, bracing, and physical therapy), settlement values tend to be on the moderate side.
- Severe Compression Fractures Requiring Surgery: When surgical intervention is needed (e.g., vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, or spinal fusion), or when a spinal cord injury results in partial disability or permanent limitations, a fair settlement will have a higher value to reflect those losses.
- Multiple Compression Fractures or Permanent Injury: In more serious cases involving multiple vertebrae or fractures that result in permanent spinal deformity, chronic pain, or nerve damage, settlement amounts will be higher to reflect your future treatment needs and income loss.
If you’ve suffered a compression fracture or permanent spinal cord damage, a Georgia back injury lawyer can help you secure the compensation you’re entitled to. They’ll gather the medical records, diagnostic reports, and expert evaluations needed to show the full extent of your injury. They can also calculate the long-term financial impact (such as future lost income or ongoing care) and present a clear claim to insurance companies or a jury.
Because Georgia law requires proving the other party’s fault to recover damages, an experienced lawyer will investigate the accident, preserve evidence, and handle negotiations on your behalf. Whether through a settlement or trial, getting legal representation gives you a better chance at receiving fair compensation.
What is a Lumbar Compression Fracture?
A lumbar compression fracture is a structural collapse of one of the vertebrae in the lower back, specifically in the lumbar spine (L1–L5). These vertebrae, which form the base of the spine, support your body’s weight and enable movement. In a compression fracture, part of a vertebra (usually the front portion) collapses or becomes compressed under force. This leads to a wedge-shaped deformity where the front of the bone is shorter than the back.
Unlike fractures where a bone snaps or breaks completely, a compression fracture results from pressure that exceeds the vertebra’s ability to support weight. The affected bone doesn’t shatter but instead compresses. This change in shape can affect how your weight is distributed across the spine and may lead to long-term strain on nearby vertebrae and muscles. Multiple vertebral fractures over time can even lead to spinal deformity, such as kyphosis. This is why lumbar compression fractures are a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention.
What Types of Accidents Cause Compression Fractures?
Although these severe injuries are common in older adults with weakened bones, they can also affect healthy individuals after a traumatic event. Here are the most common kinds of accidents that can lead to a compression fracture:
- Car Accidents: High-speed collisions can cause the spine to absorb a sudden, intense force. The impact may compress the vertebrae, especially if the person is thrown forward or the seatbelt puts pressure on the lower back. Even with airbags and restraints, the lower spine remains vulnerable in a motor vehicle accident.
- Falls from Height: Falling from a ladder, rooftop, or staircase can generate enough force to crush a vertebra on impact. Landing on the feet or buttocks often directs that force upward through the spine. These types of falls are one of the leading causes of compression fractures, particularly in the lower back.
- Bicycle or Motorcycle Accidents: Riders are more exposed to trauma and less protected from impact. A crash can throw the rider off the vehicle and cause them to land forcefully on their back or hips. This sudden, concentrated impact may result in one or more vertebrae compressing.
- Workplace Accidents: Jobs involving ladders, scaffolding, or heavy lifting come with a risk of falls or strain-related spinal injuries. This means that construction workers, warehouse employees, and roofers are especially vulnerable to spinal trauma. Compression fractures can result from falls, even from a moderate height, or from improper heavy lifting techniques.
- Recreational Accidents: Activities like ATV riding, zip-lining, or trampolining carry a risk of uncontrolled impact. A hard fall or awkward landing can create enough force to injure the spine. Even seemingly low-risk recreational events can cause serious damage if conditions are unsafe or equipment fails.
How Can You Tell if You’ve Suffered a Compression Fracture?
A compression fracture typically feels like sudden, sharp back pain that doesn’t go away. While some people know right away that something is wrong, others may not realize they’ve fractured a vertebra until the pain worsens over time or everyday movements become difficult. These fractures can affect posture, nerve function, and mobility, so it’s important to recognize the signs early.
Here are the most common symptoms of a compression fracture:
- Sudden Back Pain: This is often the first and most noticeable symptom. The pain usually starts without warning and feels sharp or stabbing, especially in the lower or middle back. It may begin after lifting something, falling, or even just twisting the spine.
- Pain That Gets Worse With Movement: Bending, standing, or walking often makes the pain more intense. Rest may offer some relief, but even simple activities can trigger discomfort. This pattern sets compression fractures apart from muscle strains, which tend to ease with gentle movement.
- Loss of Height: Compression fractures can cause one or more vertebrae to collapse, reducing overall spine length. If you've noticed that your clothes fit differently or people comment that you seem shorter, this may be why. Height loss is especially noticeable when multiple fractures occur over time.
- Stooped or Hunched Posture: A single fracture can cause subtle posture changes, but multiple fractures may lead to a noticeable curve in the back, often called kyphosis. This “hunched” appearance results from the front of the vertebrae collapsing. Over time, this change in alignment can lead to muscle fatigue and further back problems.
- Limited Range of Motion: A compression fracture can make it difficult to twist, bend, or lift objects. Movements that once felt routine may now trigger pain or stiffness. This limitation often makes daily activities like getting out of bed or reaching overhead more difficult.
- Numbness or Tingling: If the fracture compresses nearby nerves, it can lead to sensations like tingling, numbness, or a pins-and-needles feeling in the legs. In more severe cases, it may also cause muscle weakness. These symptoms suggest nerve involvement and should be evaluated quickly.
- Pain That Doesn’t Go Away: Unlike soreness from overuse, spinal fracture pain tends to linger and can last for weeks or months if untreated. It may come and go but never fully resolve. This ongoing discomfort often signals something more serious than a pulled muscle.
Get a Free Consultation From a Georgia Back Injury Attorney
At The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C., we represent people who’ve suffered a cervical spine injury because someone else was negligent. We've helped clients throughout Georgia recover fair compensation for severe injuries that limit their movement, cause lasting discomfort, or keep them from returning to work.
We’re ready to stand by you, push for the fair settlement you’re owed, and take your case to court if that’s what it takes. For more information, call our law firm at (404) 596-8044 or contact us online to schedule your free legal consultation.