In California personal injury cases, injuries to the paraspinal muscles—the deep muscles running alongside the spine—are considered soft tissue injuries, but they can still cause severe pain, reduced mobility, and long recovery periods, especially after car accidents, slip-and-falls, or lifting injuries.
These muscles play a critical role in spinal stability, posture, and movement, so even a strain can significantly affect someone’s ability to work, sleep, or do everyday tasks.
🧠 What Are Paraspinal Muscles?
- The paraspinal muscles include muscle groups like the erector spinae, multifidus, and rotatores that run along both sides of your spine, from the neck (cervical) through the lower back (lumbar).
- They support the spine and control bending, lifting, twisting, and maintaining posture.
⚠️ Common Causes in California PI Cases:
- Car accidents (especially rear-end and side-impact)
- Slip and falls (twisting while falling can tear or strain muscle fibers)
- Heavy lifting injuries (common in worksite injuries)
- Sports accidents
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Direct blows or sudden jerking motions
💥 Types of Paraspinal Muscle Injuries:
| Injury Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Strain (Grade I–III) | Overstretching or tearing of muscle fibers |
| Spasm | Involuntary contraction of muscles after trauma |
| Contusion | Bruising of muscle tissue due to impact |
| Tendinopathy | Chronic irritation or damage at muscle attachment sites |
| Myofascial pain syndrome | Trigger point-related chronic pain condition after trauma |
🧾 Key Medical Evidence:
- Clinical diagnosis from physical exams (range of motion, palpation)
- MRI or ultrasound (sometimes used to confirm muscle tears or inflammation)
- Physical therapy records
- Pain management or orthopedic reports
- Documentation of activity restrictions (e.g., lifting, walking, driving)
💵 Recoverable Damages in a PI Claim:
✅ Economic:
- Emergency room and doctor visits
- Physical therapy or chiropractic care
- Prescription meds and pain management
- Lost income from missed work
- Future medical care (if chronic pain develops)
✅ Non-Economic:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress (depression, frustration)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (if relationships are impacted)
💰 Estimated Settlement Values for Paraspinal Muscle Injuries:
| Injury Severity | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Mild strain or sprain | $5,000 – $20,000 |
| Moderate muscle injury w/ physical therapy | $20,000 – $50,000 |
| Severe or chronic pain (long-term PT, pain management) | $50,000 – $100,000+ |
| Cases with work restrictions or disability | $100,000 – $250,000+ (rare unless combined with disc or nerve injuries) |
Note: These are rough estimates. Settlement values depend on:
- Severity of injury
- Duration and type of treatment
- Impact on daily life and work
- Clear medical documentation tying injury to the accident
📅 California Time Limits:
- [Generally] 2 years to file a personal injury lawsuit
- 6 months to file if a government agency is involved
🔍 How to Strengthen a Paraspinal Injury Case:
✅ Get treatment immediately and follow all therapy recommendations
✅ Consistent documentation of pain, limitations, and medications
✅ Medical opinion linking your pain and limitations to the accident
✅ Proof of impact on work, recreation, or daily function
✅ Avoid long gaps in treatment—insurance companies will use this against you
⚠️ Insurance Company Tactics:
- Calling it “just a muscle strain” or temporary
- Arguing your pain is age-related or from poor posture
- Offering lowball settlements before full recovery
- Disputing necessity of extended physical therapy or chiropractic care
Law Offices of James R. Dickinson – 909-848-8448
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