Whiplash is one of the most common injuries occurring as a result of a car accident. Also known as Whiplash Associated Disorder or WAD, whiplash most often occurs as a result of rear-end car accidents when your body is suddenly propelled forward while you are restrained by a seatbelt. Because your head keeps moving and your body is held back, this causes a sudden jolt in the neck. This can lead to sprained or torn tendons, muscles or ligaments in the areas of the neck and the shoulders. It can happen in any vehicle involved in a crash, although car accidents are the most common type. Other than that, whiplash may occur if you are working with heavy equipment and as a result of an accident at work, for example from a fall. Did you know that if your accident occurred in the line of duty you might be eligible to receive workers’ compensation? If you’ve experienced a similar situation, be sure to contact the best Workplace Injury Lawyer in El Cajon to find out what your options are.
Whiplash Symptoms and Long-Term Effects
You may not realize that you have whiplash immediately after the car crash, because you may not experience any pain in your neck or your shoulders right away. This immediate unawareness happens because the high adrenaline and cortisol blood levels leave you temporary immune to the pain. This is one of the most dangerous aspects of whiplash, as you may have damaged your muscles and ligaments and not even feel it. As the adrenaline levels subside you will experience swelling and pain, as well as limited motion. Other symptoms may develop such as stiffness, sore jaw, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in your ears and more.
The full onset of the symptoms may occur up to 12 hours after the injury occurred. If whiplash injuries are not addressed and the patient does not seek help, whiplash can cause even more damage in the long run. This is why it is important to seek the doctor’s help as soon as possible, even if you do not feel any immediate symptoms.
What to Do?
You should get checked up by the paramedics after the accident even if you feel no immediate symptoms. Should they advise you to visit a hospital, do not delay seeing the doctor. If the accident occurred in the line of work, you may be entitled to worker’s compensation, but getting it can be a tricky process. In order to ensure that you are compensated for your work-related injury, be sure to consult an El Cajon workplace injury lawyer as soon as possible after the unfortunate event. Look for a doctor you trust and seek medical attention from a doctor that accepts workers’ compensation insurance. Collect all the medical data like ER admission forms, blood tests, medical charts and the doctor’s notes as evidence for your case. However, if your employer has a preferred medical provider, you may have to see them instead.
Seek Advice from Professional Workplace Injury Lawyer El Cajon
If you are suffering from whiplash or any other injury sustained in a car crash, you are most likely entitled to workers’ compensation. The main obstacle in the process is proving that the accident was truly work-related. However, if you ally with Accident & Work Injury Law Group, your chances will increase significantly. Our seasoned attorneys will go to any lengths to defend your rights and work towards getting the maximum benefits. Contact us now at 1-800-300-6175 or through our website form.
The information you obtain in this article is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.
