Not all serious injuries show up on X-rays, and a follow-up with a specialist, including testing such as an MRI might indeed show a serious injury.
Section 5102(d) of the New York State Insurance Law gives guidance for what is legally considered a “serious injury.”
- Death
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfigurement
- Fracture
- Loss of a fetus
- A permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function or system
- A permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member
- A significant limitation of use of a body function or system
- A “medically determined injury or impairment of a non-permanent nature which prevents the injured person from performing substantially all of the material acts which constitute such person’s usual and customary daily activities for not less than 90 days during the 180 days immediately following the occurrence of the injury or impairment.”
In order to make a claim for pain and suffering in New York, an injured person must legally prove that they have a serious. Let’s look at each of the categories:
- When somebody is killed in an accident, they will have a “wrongful death” claim, with its own rules and regulations.
- Dismemberment is when a part of the body is lost, such as losing a finger or arm. This is obviously “serious.”
- Significant disfigurement can take many forms, but often it is a scar in a prominent place. This can happen when a laceration does not heal well, and is an injury that might not show up on an x-ray.
- Fractures show up on X-rays and even the smallest fracture will meet the “serious injury” threshold.
- It must be proven that the loss of the fetus was caused by the accident, and did not happen spontaneously or for some other reason.
- This item can apply to a serious “soft-tissue” back injury, neck injury or other injuries that cause a permanent loss of use of a body part – such an nerve damage that causes paralysis, which might not show up on an x-ray.
- When a body part sustains a permanent “limited range of motion,” it is considered a serious injury.
- Very similar to number 7, but referring to different parts of the body
- When a person loses time from work or other activities for 90 days during the first 180 days after an accident, it is considered a “serious injury” even if there is a full recovery.
If you are feeling pain after an accident, you should see a doctor for a follow-up and consult a personal injury attorney, even if all your x-rays at the emergency room are negative.
Do I Need a Pediatric Malpractice Attorney?
Pediatric Malpractice Attorneys specialize is handling cases for children that are victims of medical malpractice. It is a sub-specialty for the types of medical treatment that children receive, and the types of problems that tend to occur. Of course, just like with medical treatment, a generalist malpractice attorney can handle many of these cases, but it is usually better to go with a lawyer that is more knowledgeable about this particular area. A really good malpractice lawyer will know everything about the medical procedures for the case, almost as much as a doctor! Did you know that it could be malpractice for some orthopedists to treat children with broken bones? That's because children have growth plates which an orthopedist that treats adults may not have [...]
When you’ve injured in a car accident – don’t refuse the ambulance!
The other day a client called, telling me that she was very nervous about what to do because she just had a car accident. She said that she had the green light, but the woman that blasted through a red light, lied to the police, and the police report says that the accident is a "question of lights." She said she had a witness, a pedestrian, that had to jump out of the way as that woman sped through a red light. She said she was hurt and so was her mother. I told her she should come in right away. She said she was busy and could not come in until next Tuesday. By the time they came in, the case was already severely [...]
Why Drunk Driving Accident Injuries Are Often Catastrophic
Of the thousands of motor vehicle accidents that happen each year in New York City, the ones that cause the most serious injuries are usually caused by drunk driving. This is because sober drivers that make a mistake are usually able to mitigate the damage, they cause by slamming on the brakes, turning out of the way, or other corrective actions, whereas drunk drivers aren’t able to accomplish this. The best negligence lawyers Queens are well aware of these tragic consequences and can help you understand why drunk driving accidents are so catastrophic. What Alcohol Does to a Driver These are just some of the effects that Queens drunk driving accident attorneys report that makes drunk driving accidents so much more likely to cause [...]
SPINAL CORD INJURIES
QUEENS SPINAL CORD INJURIES ATTORNEY WITTENSTEIN & WITTENSTEIN Queens Spinal Cord Injuries Attorney knows that the back and spinal cord are complicated and important structures of bones, ligaments, muscles, joints, and nerves. Back injuries can cause pain that is so severe that it’s difficult to move around and to enjoy normal activities. Back injuries can be caused by the following: Car accidents Truck accidents Motorcycle accidents Medical malpractice Accidents in nursing homes Workplace accidents (i.e. heavy lifting, overexertion, repetitive lifting or bending motions) If your back injury was caused by somebody else’s negligence or recklessness, you have a right to sue for compensation. It is important that you consult with an experienced Queens back injury lawyer as soon as possible to find out if your [...]
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bicycle Accidents
Many cities, including New York City, are encouraging residents and visitors to use bikes to get around the city. There are more bike lanes being put in every day, and you can rent a "Citi-bike" just about anywhere. It's not surprising that this has resulted in an increasing number of bike accidents citywide. They only have two wheels, so they are easy to tip over when they are hit by a car. There is no protection other than a helmet for the bicyclist, so injuries from bike accidents tend to be serious. If you are injured in a bicycle accident, an experienced bicycle accident attorney in NYC can explain the law as it applies to your specific situation. If you've been injured in a [...]
Can I Sue for My Back Injuries?
IT'S OFTEN POSSIBLE TO SUE FOR BACK INJURIES If you are wondering "Can I sue for my back injuries,?" the answer, like so many answers in law, is "it depends." When a back injury is caused by the negligent, reckless or intentional acts of another person, it is often possible to make a successful case. If the accident happened at work, you generally cannot sue your employer, but there are exceptions. Let's look at different scenarios where it possible, and not possible, to make a case. HOW SERIOUS IS THE INJURY? It's not possible to bring a lawsuit where the only evidence is subjective complaints of back pain. If you went to the hospital after the accident and complained about back pain, that's a good [...]