Back Injury in Phoenix

Back injuries can result from nearly any type of accident. Some of the most common situations we see include:

• Workplace Accidents: Lifting heavy objects, repetitive motion, or slips on unsafe surfaces.
• Motor Vehicle Collisions: Rear-end crashes frequently cause whiplash and spinal injuries.
• Slip and Fall Accidents: Spinal trauma often occurs on wet floors, uneven sidewalks, or poorly maintained properties.
• Sports and Recreational Injuries: From hiking Camelback Mountain to participating in contact sports, active lifestyles carry risks.
• Defective Products: Malfunctioning ladders, chairs, or equipment that lead to falls.

Each cause may lead to different legal options, including workers' compensation, personal injury claims, or product liability lawsuits.

Not all back injuries are treated the same in a legal claim. Knowing the difference matters:

• Acute Injuries: Herniated discs, fractures, or sprains that happen suddenly in an accident.
• Chronic Conditions: Long-term pain from repetitive strain, degenerative discs, or old injuries worsened by a new accident.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Often the most severe, potentially leading to paralysis or permanent disability.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Strains and sprains may be harder to prove, but still cause long-term pain.

In Arizona, even if you had a pre-existing condition, you may still be eligible for compensation if the accident aggravated it. This is a key point that insurance companies often try to dispute.

If you’ve suffered a back injury in Phoenix, the path toward compensation depends on where and how the injury happened. Some cases fall under the workers’ compensation system, while others may involve a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent party. In certain situations, both avenues may be available. Understanding your legal options is the first step in protecting your rights and ensuring you don’t miss out on the full compensation to which you’re entitled.

Workers’ Compensation

If your injury happened on the job, you’re likely covered under Arizona’s workers’ compensation system. Workers’ compensation is no-fault, which means you can usually file even if you contributed to your injury. It covers medical bills and partial wage replacement, but does not allow for damages for pain and suffering.

Personal Injury Lawsuits

If your back injury was caused by negligence outside of work, such as a slip and fall in a store or a car accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. These cases can recover a wider range of damages, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and long-term disability.

A lawyer can help determine which path applies to your situation, and sometimes both may be applicable.

The statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including back injuries, varies depending on the severity of the injury, the circumstances that led to it, and whether a government entity was involved in the incident. Workplace injuries may have shorter claim time frames, and missing these deadlines could cause you to lose out on your right to compensation, so contacting an experienced personal injury attorney is essential to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Insurance companies often argue that back injuries are exaggerated, pre-existing, or unrelated to the accident. That’s why strong evidence is crucial. Useful documentation includes:

• Medical records and imaging (MRI, CT scans, X-rays) showing the extent of injury.
• Doctor’s notes and treatment plans confirming your limitations.
• Accident reports (from employers, police, or property managers).
• Witness statements from coworkers, bystanders, or family.
• Employment records showing missed work and reduced earning capacity.

Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) may also be required; having an attorney ensures that your rights are protected throughout the process.

The damages available depend on whether your case is workers’ compensation or personal injury, but compensation may include:

• Medical expenses (past, current, and future)
• Lost wages and loss of earning potential
• Pain and suffering damages
• Emotional distress
• Costs of rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Vocational retraining, if you can’t return to your prior job
• Permanent disability benefits may be available in severe cases

Some back injuries never fully heal. Chronic pain, mobility loss, or nerve damage can create lifelong struggles. In these cases, victims may qualify for:

• Long-term disability benefits
• Vocational rehabilitation programs to train for new employment
• Future medical care coverage for surgeries, injections, or therapy

Recognizing the long-term impact of a back injury is vital in calculating fair compensation.

Insurers often use the same strategies to deny or undervalue claims:

• Claiming your injury was pre-existing.
• Arguing you’re exaggerating symptoms.
• Delaying settlement offers until you’re desperate.
• Offering low-ball settlements that don’t cover future treatment.

Having an experienced Phoenix back injury lawyer by your side makes it more difficult for insurers to use these tactics.

Meeting with a Morgan & Morgan back injury lawyer in Phoenix is straightforward. During your free consultation, you can expect:

• A review of your medical records and accident details.
• An explanation of your legal rights and options.
• An honest evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
• Guidance on the next steps to take immediately.

This first step is critical to securing the evidence you need and ensuring you don’t miss deadlines.

Since 1988, Morgan & Morgan has fought for injury victims nationwide, recovering over $25 billion for clients. We have the size, resources, and local presence in Phoenix to take on major employers, insurers, and corporations, and win.

The best part? You don’t pay us unless we win your case. The Fee Is Free™.

Back injuries can have a profound impact on your health, career, and financial stability. Don’t face the recovery process alone. Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case review with a Phoenix back injury attorney. We’ll fight for the medical care and compensation you need to move forward.