Neck injury

Help making a personal injury compensation claim

Most people will experience neck pain at some point in their life. The neck is part of the spine, and neck pain is very similar to lower back pain but in a different part of the body. Neck pain can range from mild discomfort to a severe burning pain. A common cause is muscular strain or tension. This may occur after sleeping in an awkward position or after unaccustomed exercise.

Very occasionally neck pain may be caused by a problem in the discs between the neck bones or vertebrae. The pain tends to be a burning feeling and is associated with symptoms such as tingling or numbness in the arms. Accidents resulting from manual handling work such as lifting, pushing or carrying may also cause neck pain.

The Claim Solicitors are leading personal injury solicitors in the UK and have won compensation claims for thousands of people who have been injured in a variety of circumstances. Our approach is to provide a friendly and efficient service to make the process of claiming compensation as straightforward as possible.

We can act under a no win, no fee agreement which means that you can pursue your claim knowing that if you lose you will not have to pay us, or your opponent's solicitor's costs. If your claim is successful we recover our legal costs from your opponent. In short, there is nothing to lose by pursuing a personal injury compensation claim with The Claim Solicitors.

If you have sustained an injury in an accident that was not your fault and would like to make a claim for personal injury compensation or if you would like to discuss in confidence any matter related to a personal injury claim, please call our claim team on 0800 197 32 32 or complete the claim assessment opposite.

What are the signs of a neck injury?

• Pain in the neck area and stiff, sore neck muscles
  in the shoulders
  
  
• Headaches and migraines
  
  
• Numbness or 'pins and needles' in the shoulders,
  arms and hands
  
  
• Sudden and intense pain can cause abnormal neck
  posture, forcing the head to turn to one side. This
  condition is known as torticollis.

What causes neck pain?
The neck supports the weight of your head, and is very vulnerable. Many things can trigger neck pain, including:

• Car accidents involving whiplash
  
  
• Muscle tension caused by stress and fatigue
  
  
• Trauma or injury
  
  
• Postural problems from prolonged use of a
  computer keyboard
  
  
• Falling asleep in an awkward position
  

Can I claim compensation for my neck injury?
If you believe your neck pain was caused as the result of someone else's carelessness, you may have a valid claim for personal injury compensation.

If you have been sustained a neck injury in an accident that was not your fault and would like to make a claim for personal injury compensation or if you would like to discuss in confidence any matter related to a personal injury claim, please call our claim team on 0800 197 32 32 or complete the claim assessment opposite.

If you would like to see how much compensation you would receive for your injury, click here to use our compensation awards as a guide.

Treatment of neck injuries
Most cases of neck pain disappear without treatment or with the help of mild pain killers. If the pain lasts for a few days or more, your doctor may prescribe other pain killers, or suggest physical therapy such as physiotherapy, chiropractic or osteopathy. It is important to keep mobile and try to continue your normal daily activity even when you are sore.

Most cases of neck pain are due to soft tissue (muscles and ligament) strain and will settle with time. There is usually no need for investigations such as x-rays or scans.

If the neck pain has lasted for longer than three months, it is called 'chronic neck pain'. Chronic neck pain may require more investigation and specialist treatment.

What can I do?
People with weak neck muscles are more likely to suffer neck pain. Inactivity weakens muscles and makes the soft tissues more prone to strain. An exercise programme can help to strengthen the neck. Your occupational health worker can give you advice.

If you have neck pain, try to stay as active as possible and keep up your normal everyday activities. If you are given a neck-collar, try not to use this for more than one or two days. Holding the neck immobile for a prolonged period, either with a collar or by your own effort, will cause more pain and disability. Neck pain will often disappear within a few weeks.

Neck pain caused by a whiplash injury in a car accident is usually a sign of damage to the soft tissue. It is important to continue with normal daily activities as much as possible as this has been shown to reduce the length of time you will feel pain.

Cervical spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is a 'wear and tear' of the vertebrae and discs in the neck. Although the main cause of cervical spondylosis is aging, a previous neck injury, which may have taken place several years before, can prompt the condition.

With constant wear and tear and injury the discs, which are like soft rubber shock absorbers between the vertebrae, become hard and stiff as they shrink with age. This causes strains on all the neighbouring joints and tissues, leading to stiffness. Cervical Spondylosis is common in people who have worked hard with their backs (such as construction workers and farmers) and those who have had injuries (such as in a car accident). The older you get, the more likely you are to develop cervical spondylosis.

Cervical spondylosis symptoms:

• Neck pain and stiffness - may be worse with
  upright activity
  
  
• Feeling or hearing of grinding or popping in the neck
  when in motion
  
  
• Muscle spasms or headaches which may originate
  in the neck
  
  
• Numbness and weakness in the arms, hands and
  fingers, and trouble walking due to weakness in the legs
  

Treatment for cervical spondylosis

• Rest
  A soft cervical collar or neck brace may be used to limit
  neck motion and relieve nerve irritation.
  
  
• Medication
  Anti-inflammatory medications or pain relievers may be
  prescribed to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
  
  
• Physiotherapy
  Hot and cold therapy or active exercise program may help
  relieve symptoms.
  
  Exercises may include neck strengthening, neck and
  shoulder stretching and aerobic exercises.
  
  Gentle massage and improving posture may also help.
  
  
• Surgery
  Surgery may be necessary if you the severe pain does
  not improve with other treatments.

Torticollis
Occasionally, if you suffer from neck pain, you may also have muscle spasms that turn the head to one side. This is called torticollis, also known as wryneck. Even though torticollis is not very common, it is an unpleasant side-effect of neck pain. It usually occurs only briefly, although it is possible to suffer from long-term torticollis.

What causes torticollis?
Torticollis is brought about by irritation to cervical nerves, which results in spasm of the neck muscles. In addition to physical exertion or personal injury, torticollis may be caused by the following:

• sleeping awkwardly
  
  
• anxiety/stress
  
  
• neck muscle injury at birth
  
  
• burn injury
  
  
• personal injury that causes heavy scarring and
  skin shrinkage
  
  
• neck muscle spasm
  
  
• slipped facette (two small joints located on the
  side of the spine)
  
  
• serious viral or bacterial infection

What are the symptoms of torticollis?
The following are the most common symptoms of torticollis. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• neck muscle pain and/or spinal pain
  
  
• restricted head movement, usually holding it
  twisted to one side
  
  
• spasm of the neck muscles
  
  
• awkward position of the chin

The symptoms of torticollis may resemble other conditions and medical problems, and you should therefore always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Treatment for torticollis
Treatment for torticollis may include:

• cervical collar
  
  
• heat therapy
  
  
• ultrasound therapy
  
  
• physical therapy
  
  
• surgery

How we can help following a neck injury
If you have been injured in an accident and are suffering with neck pain, call us now on 0800 197 32 32. We can help you make a compensation claim following a neck injury. See no win, no fee for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Useful neck pain links

www.dystonia-foundation.org
Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (USA)

www.dystonia-support.org
International online support group

www.wemove.org/dys
Dystonia section of We-Move

www.dystonia.co.uk

www.spasmodictorticollis.org
Spasmodic torticollis (USA)

www.blepharospasm.org
Blepharospasm (USA)

www.medicines.org.uk
UK medicines information

www.drc-gb.org
Disability Rights Commission

www.skill.org.uk
SKILL - National Bureau for Students with Disabilities

www.dialuk.org.uk
DIAL UK - disability information centres

www.carersonline.org.uk
Carers UK