If you’re in Oregon and need legal help with a back or spinal injury, choose Herron Law. With 28 years of personal injury experience, our legal experts will help you understand what to do after an injury and how we can help.
This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and filing deadlines can change, and the correct approach depends on the facts of each case.
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Table of Contents:
Why Choose Herron Law?
With nearly 30 years of personal injury experience in Oregon courts, Herron Law helps clients pursue civil claims arising from back and spinal injuries.
In addition to back and spinal claims, we handle related personal injury matters, including child injuries, slip and fall injuries, and catastrophic injuries.
At Herron Law:
- Our lead attorney, Bart Herron, brings decades of experience representing victims in Oregon.
- We offer 100% free consultations.
- We won’t charge a fee until you win.
Still not sure? See what our 2,000+ other clients have had to say about our service.
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What Are Common Causes of Back, Disc, and Spine Injuries?
The common causes of back, disc, and spine injuries include:
- Heavy Lifting: Lifting or carrying heavy objects with poor technique can strain muscles, damage discs, or place excessive pressure on the spine.
- Falls and Accidents: Slips, falls, vehicle collisions, and other impact accidents can cause fractures, slipped discs, soft-tissue injuries, and even spinal damage.
- Poor Posture: Prolonged sitting, slouching, or unsuitable workstation layouts can gradually strain muscles, joints, and discs supporting the spine, causing injuries over time.
- Repetitive Movements: Frequent bending, twisting, lifting, or reaching can cause compound strain on joints and increase the likelihood of back and disc injuries.
- Sports Injuries: Contact sports, sudden movements, overtraining, or incorrect technique can injure spinal joints, muscles, ligaments, and discs.
- Age-Related Injuries: Spinal discs naturally lose moisture and flexibility with age, increasing the risk of disc degeneration, herniation, and stiffness.
- Being Overweight: Carrying excess body weight can place increased pressure on the lower back and spinal joints, contributing to pain and degeneration.
- Weak Core Muscles: Poor abdominal and back strength can reduce spinal support, making strains and other injuries more likely during everyday activities.
- Underlying Medical Conditions: Osteoporosis, arthritis, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, and other conditions can weaken or alter the spine and increase injury risk.
- Sudden Awkward Movements: Unexpected twisting, bending, or jerking movements can overstretch muscles and ligaments or place sudden pressure on spinal discs.
What Should You Do After a Back or Spinal Injury?
After a back or spinal injury, further sudden movements could put you at increased risk of further injury. It’s important to:
- Stop the Activity: Avoid movements that worsen pain or could aggravate the injury, particularly after a fall, collision, or lifting incident.
- Seek Urgent Help: Call emergency services for paralysis, severe weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin, or major trauma.
- Get Medically Assessed: Persistent, severe, or worsening back pain should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to identify possible spinal, disc, nerve, or soft-tissue injuries.
- Avoid Unnecessary Movement: If a spinal injury is suspected, keep the person still and avoid moving them unless they are in immediate danger.
- Use Pain Relief Appropriately: Over-the-counter painkillers can help with some minor injuries but check suitability with a pharmacist or healthcare professional.
- Follow Rehabilitation Advice: Physiotherapy, stretching, strengthening exercises, or other treatments may be recommended depending on the type and severity of the injury.
- Monitor Symptoms: Seek further medical advice if pain spreads, numbness develops, mobility worsens, or symptoms fail to improve as expected.
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What Evidence Do I Need to Prove Negligence in a Spinal Injury Case?
To prove negligence in a spinal injury case, you typically need evidence showing that another party owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injury.
Useful evidence can include medical records and scans, accident reports, photographs or video footage, witness statements, workplace or maintenance records, and correspondence relating to the incident.
Evidence of financial losses, like pay slips, receipts, treatment costs, and travel expenses, can also help demonstrate the impact of the injury and support a compensation claim.
What Is the Step-By-Step Legal Process of a Spinal Injury Lawsuit?
Once you’ve been declared stable after a spinal injury, you must start the legal process within the 2-year statute of limitations under Oregon law.
- Speak to an Attorney: An Oregon personal injury lawyer can assess liability, damages, and applicable deadlines.
- Investigate the Injury: Gather medical records, accident evidence, witness statements, and proof of financial losses.
- Make a Claim: Your attorney may negotiate with the party responsible or the insurer.
- File a Lawsuit: If unresolved, a complaint is filed with an Oregon court.
- Discovery: Both sides exchange evidence and take testimony.
- Settlement or Trial: Many cases settle; otherwise, a judge or jury decides the liability and damages.
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Ways Herron Law Can Help
Herron Law plays a key role in providing clients with legal representation. Our lawyers also support victims who have been injured or traumatized due to the misconduct of another party in relation to a back or spinal injury.
Our key responsibilities include:
Case Evaluations:
- Free Initial Consultation: Your personal injury attorney will offer a free 30-minute consultation to understand the case details and determine its validity.
- Legal Advice: Herron Law will offer legal advice on the merits of a case, potential outcomes, and the steps involved in pursuing legal action.
Investigation:
- Gathering Evidence: Our attorney gathers evidence, including medical records, witness statements, and any other documentation that can help prove wrongdoing by the third party involved.
Expert Consultation:
- Working with Specialists: If needed, one of our attorneys will consult medical professionals to strengthen your case.
Filing the Lawsuit:
- Preparation of Legal Documents: The personal injury attorney prepares and files the necessary legal documents to begin any claims.
- Court Representation: If a trial is necessary, the attorney will represent you, presenting any evidence and arguing the case before a judge.
Settlement Negotiation:
- Negotiating with Defendants: If defendants are involved in your claim, we will negotiate with them, their insurers, or their representatives to pursue a fair, lawful settlement.
Fighting for you:
Herron Law’s attorneys advocate for you and your loved ones, striving to ensure justice is served and the responsible parties are held accountable.
By undertaking these responsibilities, our attorneys play a pivotal role in helping to navigate the complexities of the legal system during challenging times.
Their expertise not only aids in securing financial compensation but also in achieving a sense of justice and closure.
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What Type of Back Injuries Does Herron Law Handle?
At Herron Law, we handle a wide range of potential back injuries and their associated claims. These include:
- Herniated or slipped discs.
- Bulging discs.
- Spinal fractures.
- Soft tissue injuries.
- Sprains and strains.
- Nerve damage.
- Sciatica.
- Chronic back pain.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Aggravation of pre-existing back conditions.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Back and Spinal Injury Claims in Oregon?
Most back and spinal injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury under the Oregon statute of limitations.
Missing the deadline could prevent you from recovering compensation. Exceptions may apply, so it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Who Can Be Liable in a Back or Spinal Injury Claim?
Liability depends on how the injury occurred. Potentially responsible parties can include:
- Negligent drivers in car or truck accidents.
- Employers or contractors in workplace accidents.
- Property owners who fail to maintain safe premises.
- Manufacturers of defective products.
- Healthcare providers in medical negligence cases.
- Businesses or other individuals whose actions caused injury.
In some cases, more than one party can share responsibility for back or spinal injuries.
What Compensation Could I Receive After a Back or Spinal Injury?
The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the severity of your injury and its impact on your life. You may be able to recover damages for:
- Medical bills and rehabilitation costs.
- Lost wages and reduced earnings.
- Pain and suffering.
- Ongoing care or treatment.
- Loss of mobility or independence.
- Property damage, where applicable.
More serious spinal injuries can result in higher compensation because of long-term medical and financial needs.
Awards & Associations
At Herron Law, we are dedicated to our clients.
Bart Herron has been recognized by professional attorney organizations, including The National Trial Lawyers, and has worked with many wonderful clients, from Afghanistan veterans and military family members to students, doctors, and police officers.
Our other awards include:
- 2015 Premier Trial 100 Attorneys Oregon, by the American Academy of Trial Attorneys.
- Oregon’s 10 Best Client Satisfaction Award, by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Herron Law can help investigate your car accident, establish liability, assess your back or spinal injuries, and pursue compensation from the party responsible or insurer.
Ask about their experience with spinal injury cases, likely claim value, expected timescales, legal fees, evidence required, communication process, and whether they are prepared to take your case to trial.
A contingency fee means the lawyer is paid a percentage of your recovery if successful. An hourly rate requires payment based on time worked regardless of the outcome.
Settling can be faster, more cost-effective, and predictable. Going to trial can result in higher compensation, but it can take longer, cost more, and carry greater uncertainty.
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Learn More with Herron Law
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