You’ve joined an intramural hockey league with your friends, but you’ve decided to keep the contact play active in the game. With this rule in place, the sport becomes extremely aggressive, with each player doing anything to score a goal. You’ve managed to get the puck away from the other team and are flying down the ice to the net. Suddenly, this big, burly player flies at you full-throttle, and he throws you into the boards. It feels as if your neck twisted all the way around, and you’re now unable to move. Unfortunately, neck injuries are a common occurrence in sports, especially when the game is aggressive in nature. It’s important to receive medical treatment immediately, and to find a neck injury attorney that you trust.
Is Your Neck Fractured or Broken?
A person should not be moved if they have suffered a neck injury, and it’s important to determine if the neck is potentially fractured. A neck fracture is when there is a break in one (or more) cervical bones. If the neck is suddenly twisted, or a person receives a massive blow to the head, a neck fracture might be the result of this intense trauma. If another person is at-fault in the neck injury, a neck injury attorney will be able to help you receive compensation for your injuries. Talk to a lawyer and see what you are eligible to receive, because a neck injury can affect you for the rest of your life.
The Signs and Symptoms
A medical professional will provide a medical assessment and give you an official diagnosis if you have suffered a neck injury, but these are a few signs and symptoms that you can identify for yourself:
- Pain (severe or mild)
- Pain that travels from your neck to your shoulders or arms
- Bruising and swelling
- Tenderness
- Numbness
- Weakness in the arms or legs
These symptoms are the warning signs of a broken or fractured neck. They should be taken seriously, as the injury can become more severe over time.
Preventing a Neck Injury
When you are involved in a sport, or another potentially dangerous activity, it’s important to follow certain rules to ensure that you do not come out of the game, practice, or event with a severe neck injury. Here are a few tips to follow:
- Avoid playing sports when you are extremely exhausted
- Replace damaged or broken sporting equipment
- Do not wear headphones
- Inspect the playing area for any glass, rocks, cracks, etc. before playing
- Follow the rules of the sport
- Pay attention to the game, while avoiding distractions
If you follow these few rules (and the ones your coach tells you) you will play safer, while avoiding serious injuries.
Hiring a Toronto Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have sustained a neck injury and need a neck injury attorney to fight for your case, our lawyers at Sokoloff are ready to help you with your case. The first consultation with a neck injury attorney is free of charge—so that you are able to ask any questions you might have concerning your case. Book your consultation with a Toronto personal injury lawyer at Sokoloff today.
Sources:
http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Sports-Related%20Neck%20Injury.aspx