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

Who Is Liable in a Car Accident Involving a Rideshare Service?

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become a popular and convenient transportation option for many. Whether you're commuting or traveling, catching a ride using your smartphone is convenient and economical. However, with the rise in rideshare usage, car accidents have been increasing in New York City. If you’re involved in an accident while using a rideshare service, determining who is liable can be confusing at times. If you were hurt while using a ridesharing vehicle, consulting an experienced car accident lawyer in Queens and Brooklyn can be helpful. Rideshare Drivers are Independent Contractors Rideshare companies classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. This distinction is crucial because it limits the company's liability [...]

Your Rights After A Bicycle Accident

Cyclists can now count on dedicated bike lanes throughout the five boroughs of New York City, making going for a ride more fun and commuting easier. This is attracting many new bikers to come on board to enjoy the healthy benefits of cycling. Learning how to bike safely in the city is an important step to take before you hit the road, and it’s also a good idea to understand your rights if you are unlucky enough to have a bicycle accident. It’s also good to know that some of the best New York City bicycle accident attorneys offer free consultations to discuss the particulars of your potential case. Insurance Coverage for Bicycle Accident Victims [...]

Do I Have a Construction Accident Claim?

If you’ve been injured on or near a construction site, you may be entitled to monetary damages for your out of pocket medical expenses, lost earnings, pain, suffering and mental anguish. Construction sites are dangerous and there are many laws, regulations and customs that must be followed to ensure the safety of workers, bystanders and guests on the site. When an accident occurs, the legal options can be very complex, so it’s important to speak to an experienced NYC construction accident lawyer as soon as possible. Is Workers Compensation an Exclusive Remedy? The lion’s share of victims of construction accidents are workers on the site. New York law prohibits most lawsuits by workers against their employers, [...]

Attorneys Fighting for Justice

When our country was founded only white, propertied, Protestant men had the right to vote. Much progress has been made to include a much wider range of voters, but many inequities remain. One of those inequities is access to the legal system for middle-class people who cannot afford to pay hundreds of dollars an hour for legal representation. That’s why the best Queens, Brooklyn, and Bronx car accident attorneys represent clients on a contingency fee, so clients don’t have to pay a dime until their case is settled. In this political climate, we can’t take anything for granted as long as cherished rights are being stripped from us regularly by those beholden to the interests [...]

Do I Have a No-Fault Case?

“No-fault laws” have been in effect throughout most of the United States since the 1970’s, so most people are aware of these laws, but there are many misconceptions about how they operate.  The purpose of “no-fault” legislation was to reduce the number of lawsuits for personal injuries arising from traffic accidents, but it has actually resulted in an increase in litigation. It’s ironic that personal injury attorneys are now sometimes called no-fault lawyers and people injured in traffic accidents ask, “Do I have a no-fault case?” Let me set the record straight! Prior to no-fault laws, personal injury cases for traffic accidents were like all other types of personal injury cases. If a person was injured [...]

Child Injury Lawyer | Laws That Protect Children

WHY THERE ARE LAWS THAT PROTECT CHILDREN We don't leave babies alone in the house because they are not able to take care of themselves at all.  As children grow and mature, they begin to display greater levels of ability and can be rewarded with greater independence.  Laws take this into account and have different protections and expectations for children of different ages.  A child injury lawyer is aware of these laws and how to apply them. EXAMPLES OF CHILD PROTECTIVE LAWS CAR SEATS A statute is a law that is passed by a legislature.  It's written down and needs to be followed precisely.  An example of a law that protects children is New York State's [...]

Can I Sue For Sexual Abuse When I Was A Child?

The answer is yes. The Child Victims Act, passed in 2019, changed the law so that victims of sexual abuse, that are under the age of 55, can sue persons and organizations for child sexual abuse, no matter how long ago it occurred. For example, you could sue a coach that mistreated you at your elementary school in 1970 or a pediatrician that fondled you in 1975. Since the law was enacted, many victims have collected compensation for the abuse they suffered. It’s difficult for victims to tell their story, so the patient kind ear of a woman child injury attorney makes it easier to come forward with your story. Claims must be filed by August, [...]

Free Consultation: What to Expect from the Attorney

Some attorneys offer free consultations to new clients as a way to expand their clients base and to assess whether their firm and the client are a good fit. They are also a great way for clients to begin to understand the legal issues that apply to their matter. To get the most out of a free consultation with a NYC construction accident lawyer, or a Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island or Bronx car accident attorney, it’s important to create a list of questions and to bring all of the paperwork you have about legal matters at hand. Expect Detailed and Useful Information If you’re consulting with a NYC construction accident lawyer, you should expect to [...]

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 [...]