NECK INJURIES

NEW YORK CITY NECK INJURY ATTORNEY

NEW YORK CITY NECK INJURY ATTORNEY

Neck injuries are one of the most common injuries from traffic accidents, and the symptoms are not always present right away.  That’s why you need an experienced New York City neck injury attorney to represent you.  After a car, bus, truck, or bicycle accident, it’s a good idea to check to see if your neck has a full range of motion. Gently moved your down and around in a circle and notice if there is any pain with this movement.  Our necks are less protected than other parts of the body, and what might feel like a slight twinge initially could be a herniated disc, a torn ligament or even a slight fracture. This is all the more reason you should seriously consider taking an ambulance to the hospital directly from the scene of an accident.

It’s also a good idea to call an expert New York City Neck Injury Attorney to find out what you might need to do right away to preserve your rights.  At Wittenstein & Wittenstein, we’ve been holding client’s hands through their cases for over 60 years. Let us work on the legal aspects of your situation, while you focus on returning to full health.  Please call us for a free consultation at 718-261-8114.

Strains and Sprains (Whiplash)

Whiplash is the lay term for mild traumatic injuries to the neck.  Sensitive tendons, muscles, and ligaments work together in your neck.   A strain of the neck is when the muscle or tendon is suddenly contracted or stretched.  A sprain is when the ligaments are stretched or torn. It is very difficult to diagnose a neck problem with any certainty without Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) films.  With an MRI, a doctor can determine the extent of your neck problem and recommend the best treatment.

Herniated Disc

The neck (cervical spine) is made up of discs with a hard shell and a soft gel filled interior.  This works to absorb force and protects the spine. When the gel inside the disc protrudes, due to trauma or degeneration, this is known as a herniated disc.  Symptoms include a shooting pain that radiates down the arms, numbness or tingling and muscle weakness.

A herniated disc is usually diagnosed with an MRI and clinical testing of reflexes, range of motion and pain level.  Treatment is usually a combination of physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, pain relievers and muscle relaxants. Rarely, surgery is necessary to relieve the pain.

These are the most common types of traumatic neck injuries from traffic accidents.  If you have sustained an injury to your neck, you should seek medical treatment and consider suing the negligent party for compensation.  Please call Wittenstein & Wittenstein for a free consultation at 718-261-8114

10 Laws To Be Thankful For!

10 LAWS TO BE THANKFUL FOR! As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, this is a perfect time to reflect on what we’re thankful for. What better place to start with than the law? There are many laws in effect that we take for granted- many of which plays a huge role in our everyday lives. 1. “Restaurant Culture” - Laws Protecting Us When We Eat Out New Yorkers love eating at new restaurants, food fairs, or from various street vendors. That trust begins with knowing that there are laws in place which require strict adherence, with food safety inspectors on the prowl.  Seeing that “A” in the window instills confidence! 2. “GASP - This has high fructose corn [...]

New York’s “Scaffold Law” Protects Injured Construction Workers

New York State Labor Law § 240/241 was one of the first labor laws enacted in the United States.  It predates the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Workers Compensation Programs.  It was enacted in 1885, and despite lobbying to repeal it, has survived to this day. A similar law in Illinois was repealed in 2013.  There is even a website scaffoldlaw.com, dedicated to “Scaffold Law Reform,” with scurrilous claims that the laws actually makes worksites “less safe.”  Why is a law that protects injured construction workers so controversial? So, you must be wondering now, what’s the big deal about this Scaffold Law?  What makes it so terrifying to builders? First off, it operates as [...]

HISTORY OF BUILDING CODES

Did you know that there have been building codes dating back to 2000 BC?  Authorities of the time were eager to create rules and records, and to create structures that were more reliability unlikely to collapse and kill people.  When buildings feel on people, it didn't make Kings look good! The most elaborate and building code of ancient times was the Code of Hammurabi, which is well-known as the first full-blown law book.  Unlike today when enforcement of building codes can be lax, under the Code of Hammurabi a builder that collapses, killing workers and occupants, would be put to death.  The history of building construction codes shows a growing concern for safety and reflects [...]

When Do You Need to Call a Personal Injury Attorney in Forest Hills?

Accidents and injuries can come upon us suddenly. Unfortunately, these things can happen to anyone, at any time. Personal Injury Law allows every injured individual to get compensation whenever the negligence of somebody else causes harm. There are many different situations that can give rise to a personal injury case. However, every situation where someone gets injured does not meet this legal standard.  It is necessary to show that somebody else’s fault caused the accident and that your injuries are related to the accident. Not everybody is aware of all the different situations when a personal injury attorney should be contacted.  So, to avoid any kind of confusion, we will now look at common cases [...]

Dangers of the State Island Ferry

Ferry travel feels so safe, none of the lane changing and stress of driving, but The New York Post has reported that ferry captains warn that The Staten Island Ferries are “ticking time bombs.”  After a major accident in 2003, there has been some scrutiny of the safety of these aging ferries, and what’s been revealed shows that most of the ships suffer from serious safety problems.  The ferry captain, who wanted to remain anonymous said of the ship’s propellers, “They often fail, resulting in the shutdown of one or more of the four “drives” that are linked to propellers, making it at times impossible to slow, or even stop, the boat.”  [...]

Drivers & Passengers: Keeping Safe in Rideshares

How Safe Are Rideshares? Companies such as Lyft, Uber, Juno and Via provide many of us with viable ways to get around New York City. It is also a source of income for many individuals. While appreciating the convenience these apps provide, it is important that both drivers and passengers take adequate precautions to ensure that trips are safe. Here are five tips we suggest you follow. Avoid Illegal Street hails NYC’s Taxi & Limousine Commission prohibits drivers of rideshare companies from picking up passengers that try to hail a ride. Only yellow and green cabs are allowed to pick up street hails. Besides risking hefty fines issued by NYC or TLC officers, rideshare drivers who [...]

Sharks in the Water – Watch Out for Unethical Lawyers

MAKE SURE YOUR YOU HIRE A REPUTABLE ATTORNEY Most attorneys are ethical and diligent, but there are the ones that give us all a bad name.  Dishonest lawyers, like liars in every walk of life, take advantage of trusting souls for a quick buck, whereas ethical attorneys seek to get you great results and provide amazing service, hoping you'll come back and/or refer your friends and family.  Reputable attorneys will never engage in these tactics. Here are some things watch out for when you are looking to hire a reputable attorney: RUNNERS Some attorneys hire people to hang around emergency rooms, getting access to medical records that show which patients are being treated for injuries from [...]

What Types Of Accidents Cause The Most Serious Injuries?

Any type of traumatic injury calls for evaluation to determine its severity, but the lion’s share of injuries from car accidents and falls are relatively minor. Accidents involving heavy impacts and falls from a significant height cause the majority of catastrophic disabilities such as paralysis, loss of a limb, blindness and loss of cognition. In order to collect the huge amount of compensation they’ll need to regain as much quality of life as possible, victims need experienced and specialized legal representation. For example, workers injured on a construction site should hire a NYC construction accident lawyer and people injured by large vehicles should retain a truck accident lawyer in NYC. How To Choose The Best NYC [...]

How to Handle Your Free Consultation

Some of the best Queens accident attorneys offer free consultations to determine whether an attorney-client relationship is a good fit. Most Queens accident lawyers offer clients a contingency fee retainer that does require clients to pay them a penny unless and until money is collected for them, so these consultations help lawyers choose the cases they are willing to invest their time and money prosecuting. If you have a weak case, you’ll spend the time trying to get the attorney to take the case, but clients with strong cases will have the top New York City catastrophic injury attorneys seeking to represent them. Here’s how to handle your free consultation for strong, medium, and weak [...]