What is a Spinal Burst Fracture?

Spinal burst fractures are extremely serious injuries, and are usually caused by severe trauma such as a motor vehicle accident or a fall from a height. 

Extreme amounts of force exerted onto the spine can crush the vertebrae of the spine. A burst fracture involves extreme compression, or crushing, of the vertebra, causing the edges of the bone to spread out in all directions. With bony fragments and edges spreading out in all directions, there is a strong possibility that the spinal cord will be injured, resulting in paralysis or partial neurological injury. A burst fracture also causes severe instability of the spine at the affected area.

Neurological injury from a burst fracture can (in some lucky cases), cause no injury at all, or it can cause complete paralysis if the spinal cord damage is severe. The degree of neurological injury is usually determined by the amount of force at the time of injury, and the severity of the damage to the spinal canal. Bony fragments from a fractured vertebra can be forced into the spinal canal, resulting in loss of strength, sensation, or reflexes below the level of the injury. Mild burst fractures can result in relatively minimal symptoms or mild or no neurological injury.

Following an accident where a spinal injury is suspected, x-rays, CT scans, and/or MRI scans may be used to determine the amount of soft tissue trauma, bleeding, or ligament disruption, the presence and location of fracture, the type of fracture, and the amount of spinal canal compromise. All of these elements help determine the course of treatment.

Burst fractures, even without neurological injury, can be extremely painful, and can cause severe, long-term disability. Spinal burst fractures with neurological or spinal cord injuries can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating.

If you or a loved one sustained a spinal fracture as a result of a work-related accident, or a car accident due to someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation in Minnesota. For a free, no-obligation case evaluation, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email to schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys. We can help you get the compensation you are entitled to. 

Minnesota Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can be classified in two ways: complete spinal cord injuries and incomplete spinal cord injuries. Complete spinal cord injuries involve injuries to the spinal cord that cause complete loss of voluntary function and sensation below the point of injury. Incomplete spinal cord injuries do not cause complete loss of voluntary function and sensation below the injury.

Thankfully, advancements in modern medicine have reduced the likelihood that a spinal cord injury will be complete. Many spinal cord injury victims do eventually gain some voluntary function and sensation below the point of injury with medical care.

Spinal cord injuries are caused by severe trauma to the spinal cord. These types of injuries can be the result of blunt force trauma, falls, or high speed car accidents.

In Minnesota, if you suffer a spinal cord injury as a result of your work activities, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, including wage loss benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation benefits, and medical expense benefits.

If you suffer a spinal cord injury in a car accident due to someone else’s fault or negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages from the at-fault party.

Spinal cord injuries are physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury at work, or as the result of a car accident, a Minnesota workers’ compensation or personal injury attorney can explain your rights, help you through the process of bringing a claim, and help you get the compensation you’re entitled to.

For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email. 

Types of Spinal Fractures

A spinal fracture is when you break a bone in your spine. The spine is made up of vertebrae stacked on top of each other, and they can break, just like other bones in your body. Spinal fractures, however, can be more severe than other bone breaks because a spinal fracture can result in trauma to the spinal cord.

There are number of different ways to classify spinal fractures depending on the area of the vertebrae that is fractured, the severity of the fracture, and the kind of fracture.

There a variety of different types of spinal fractures, including:

Compression fracture: Compression fractures are common in patients with underlying osteoporosis. Sudden force or pressure applied to the vertebra can cause the vertebrae to fracture, especially if the vertebra is already weakened. A wedge fracture is a type of compression fracture, where the anterior, or front, of the vertebra collapses and becomes wedge shaped.

Burst fracture. Burst fractures are caused by extreme trauma, such as car accidents. They happen when the vertebra is crushed by extreme forces, and it is fractured in multiple places. Bony fragments from the fracture can cause spinal cord injury. Burst fractures are usually severe.

Flexion-distraction fractures. Sudden forward forces, such those involved in a high speed rear end collision, that cause extreme stress on the spine can break vertebrae. A flexion-distraction fracture usually involves the posterior (back), and middle portions of the vertebra.

Fracture-dislocation. Any spinal fracture can also involve dislocation, where the vertebra moves significantly, and causes the spine to become very unstable. Fractures of the spine are severe injuries, and can be caused by car accidents or workplace accidents. They can involve significant medical care and disability. If you’ve sustained a spinal fracture as a result of your work activities, or as the result of a car accident, a Minnesota workers’ compensation attorney or personal injury attorney can help you get the benefits you’re entitled to. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email. 

Common Minnesota Construction Injuries and Work Comp

As the weather starts to warm up here in Minnesota, construction season is going to get into full swing. Unfortunately, with more construction comes more construction worker injuries.

Some of the most common and most severe construction worker injuries we see in our Minnesota workers’ compensation practice include:

Head injuries. Construction-related head injuries can be caused by slip and falls, trip and falls, motor vehicle accidents, falling equipment or materials, blunt force trauma and many other things, and can result in closed-head injury, traumatic brain injury, concussion, coma, or even death.

Repetitive motion injuries. Repetitive motion injuries are also known as cumulative trauma injuries, or Gillette-type injuries in Minnesota workers’ compensation. They can include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, rotator cuff tears, trigger finger, epicondylitis, degenerative disc disease, cervical or lumbar herniations, meniscus tears, and many other conditions. These types of injuries occur over time and are usually the result of a combination of muscle tension, repetitive motions, over use, and incorrect posture.

Spinal cord injuries. The spinal cord controls every function of the human body. A spinal cord injury can be devastating. Spinal cord injuries can cause a variety of disabilities, including loss of sensation or function, A severe spinal cord injury can cause devastating disability, paralysis, quadriplegia, paraplegia, or even death.

Crush and amputation injuries. Equipment used in the construction trades is meant to cut and shape wood, metal, concrete, and other materials. When the human body comes into contact with these types of tools and machines, the results can be devastating, including traumatic or surgical amputation, loss of function, and disfigurement.

Burn injuries. Construction workers are surrounded by burn risks on a job site, including hot water, steam, chemicals, explosions, and electricity. Burn injuries are terribly painful, and can result in loss of function and disfigurement.

Broken bones and dislocated joints. Fractures can occur as a result of trip and falls, slip and falls, dropped equipment or materials, motor vehicle collisions, or a variety of other accidents. Dislocations usually occur when a joint is suddenly moved beyond its normal range of motion. These types of injuries can cause severe disability and loss of range of motion.

Eye injuries. Construction sites are eye injury hazards, ranging from chemicals, to wood and metal chips, to tools like nail guns or staplers. Eye injuries that cause blindness or impair a workers’ vision can be devastating.

Herniated discs. Herniated discs in the low back or neck are probably the most common construction worker injury we see in our workers’ compensation practice. They can be caused by almost any kind of trauma – overuse, lifting, twisting, falls, contact with objects, and motor vehicle collisions. They can also be severely disabling.

Construction worker injuries also raise a number of unique issues in workers’ compensation law, including determining whether the injured worker is an independent contractor, which contractor is responsible for workers’ compensation insurance coverage, and whether there is a third party liability claim.

Unfortunately, construction worker injuries can be some of the most contentious types of workers’ compensation claims. If you’ve sustained an injury as a result of a construction accident in Minnesota, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Make sure you get all the workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to. Don’t let a construction injury ruin your life. Contact us at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our workers’ compensation lawyers.

Visit us at MeuserLaw.com to learn more about Minnesota workers' compensation.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries Caused by MN Car Accidents and Work Injuries

Even minor damage to the spinal cord can result in catastrophic injury. Approximately 250,000 Americans currently live with a significant spinal cord injury. Of these Americans, 52% suffer from paraplegia, which means they have suffered a spinal cord injury in the thoracic (mid-back) or lumbar (low back) area, and 47% suffer from quadriplegia, which means they have significant injury to their spinal cord in the cervical (neck) spine. It is estimated that about 12,000 people per year suffer spinal cord injuries.

Spinal cord injuries refer to damage to the spinal cord, which results in paralysis, impairment in normal functioning, decreased mobility, and loss of sensation. Most spinal cord injuries are caused in work-related accidents (28%) or motor vehicle accidents (24%).

Symptoms of spinal cord injury include:

• Loss of sensation and movement;
• Loss of bowel or bladder control;
• Back pain or neck pain;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Weakness;
• Paralysis;
• Numbness in extremities;
  

Different levels of the spine control different functions in the body. As a result, the level at which the spinal cord injury occurs is usually determinative as to the level of impairment.

Cervical Injuries

Cervical (neck) injuries usually result in full or partial tetraplegia (Quadriplegia).

• C3 vertebrae and above : Typically results in loss of diaphragm function, necessitating the use of a ventilator for breathing.
• C4 : Results in significant loss of function at the biceps and shoulders.
• C5 : Results in potential loss of function at the shoulders and biceps, and complete loss of function at the wrists and hands.
• C6 : Results in limited wrist control, and complete loss of hand function.
• C7 and T1 : Results in lack of dexterity in the hands and fingers, but allows for limited use of arms. C7 is generally the threshold level for retaining functional independence.
  

Thoracic injuries

Injuries at or below the thoracic spinal levels result in paraplegia. Function of the hands, arms, neck, and breathing is usually not affected.

• T1 to T8 : Results in the inability to control the abdominal muscles. Accordingly, trunk stability is affected. The lower the level of injury, the less severe the effects.
• T9 to T12 : Results in partial loss of trunk and abdominal muscle control.
  

Lumbar and Sacral injuries

The effects of injuries to the lumbar or sacral regions of the spinal cord are decreased control of the legs and hips, urinary system, and anus.

If you’ve sustained a spinal injury as a result of a work-injury or car accident, contact Meuser & Associates at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email, for a free, no-obligation consultation. Make sure you get the benefits you are entitled to.