A torn neck muscle can feel like a sharp, shooting pain or a stabbing pain that worsens when you move or turn your neck. A tear in the neck’s muscles can also feel dull and make your neck feel tight, limiting your range of motion. You may also hear this injury called a muscle strain. If your neck is swollen or tender, you should see a doctor for a definitive diagnosis.
You may also consider consulting a personal injury lawyer if someone else’s negligence caused your neck injury. An attorney can hold that person financially liable for treating your injury and replacing the income you cannot earn until you recover.
What Are the Symptoms of a Torn Neck Muscle?
When your neck is sore, you will feel it every time you move. To get the proper treatment, you need an accurate diagnosis. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, some of the symptoms of a torn neck muscle can include:
- Headaches, particularly ones at the back of your head
- Numbness and tingling in your arms or hands
- A sudden inability to move or turn the neck
- Muscle spasms or tightness
- Pain that increases when you move your head
If your neck injury results from a negligence-based injury, a personal injury lawyer can pursue compensation for you. They will also encourage you to seek appropriate health care if you have not already done so. Your neck muscle strain symptoms can vary, and a doctor can help identify your injury and the treatment necessary for recovery.
How Is a Torn Neck Muscle Diagnosed?
If neck pain is chronic or persistent and spreads to your limbs, seek medical care immediately. A doctor will review your symptoms to diagnose your torn muscle and perform a complete physical exam. They might also request one or more of the following imaging tests:
- An X-ray that provides an image of your vertebrae and spinal cord
- A CT scan that provides a highly detailed image of the structures of your neck
- An MRI that provides a detailed image of the bones and soft tissues of your neck
Cases will differ, so depending on the results of these tests or the cause of your injury, your doctor may also request an electromyography (EMG) to look for a pinched nerve. Blood tests can also help identify an infection that could contribute to a torn muscle’s inflammation. Testing can help support your personal injury claim, as it can help doctors identify if your accident contributed to your pain.
How Does a Torn Neck Muscle Happen?
A torn muscle can be caused by overuse, repetitive strain, and wear and tear. It can also be caused by accident trauma, including:
- Car accidents (especially rear-end collisions)
- Bus and truck accidents
- Bicycle and motorcycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
If another party acted negligently and caused your injury, the at-fault party could be held financially accountable, and you could receive compensation.
What Is the Treatment for a Torn Neck Muscle?
After a doctor diagnoses you, they will determine the best treatment, which could include over-the-counter pain relief medications. If these do not provide the relief you need, they may prescribe something stronger. Additional treatment options can include:
- Physical therapy to align your spine and gently stretch and strengthen your muscles while they heal
- A soft collar to stabilize and supports your neck and relieve pressure on the muscles
- Prescriptions for muscle relaxers
- Ultrasound therapy
In severe cases, your healthcare provider may also prescribe injectable numbing medications. In rare cases, surgical muscle correction may be needed.
Who Will Cover the Costs of My Treatment Protocol?
Responsibility for your medical bills will fall to the person or entity who caused your injury. A personal injury lawyer can demand compensation after:
- Construction accident
- Motorcycle accident
- Truck accident
- Car accident
- Dog bite or attack
- Motorcycle accident
- Pedestrian accident
- Slip and fall accident
The at-fault party is responsible if they owed you a duty of reasonable care, failed to provide it, and caused your accident and its financial consequences. Your lawyer will prove these elements of negligence that allow them to seek damages.
What Medical Bills Is the At-Fault Party Responsible For?
The at-fault party is responsible for all your medical bills from when your injury occurs until you complete recovery. Do not let concern for treatment costs prevent you from getting the help you need. You should also stick to your treatment plan until your doctor advises you to stop.
Medical expenses include:
- Emergency room costs
- Hospital admissions
- OTC and prescribed medications
- Therapy and rehabilitation
An attorney can also demand compensation for assistive medical devices you require, including foam collars and adaptive devices to increase your comfort levels. They will collect your medical records and bills from every healthcare professional, department, and facility where you received (or expect to continue receiving) care.
What Additional Compensation Can I Recover?
In addition to your medical bills, your lawyer will demand compensation for the income you cannot earn while your injury prevents you from returning to work. Compensation for lost wages also includes your recovery period. It also includes your loss of the ability to earn in the future.
The at-fault party and their insurance company are also responsible for:
- Past, present, and future pain and suffering
- Ongoing mental and emotional anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Your lawyer will prove the value of these intangible losses. They will not give you the task of collecting evidence. Instead, they will take on the hard work of building your case and negotiate the best possible settlement for you.
Call in the Strong Arm to Fight for You – Our Attorneys Are Ready to Help You
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a recent accident, you may know what a torn neck muscle feels like. You also know the costly and extensive medical care treatment can require. At Loncar Lyon Jenkins, we will demand financial compensation for this and all the other expenses of the accident.
Get a free consultation. Contact our case review team today to start fighting for the compensation you need and deserve.
