Last Updated: 2/16/2023
As you may know, spondylolisthesis is a condition of the spine where one or more vertebrates in your back slides forward over the vertebrae below it. This condition can cause back pain, sciatica due to nerve compression (which can cause pain and/or numbness in one or more of your legs) and other even more serious conditions. Treatment can include physical therapy, injections, surgery and activity restrictions among other things. Often people live with spondylolisthesis their entire lives with no symptoms until they have a traumatic event like a car accident. However, insurance companies will try to blame anything and everything that they can on a prior medical condition. So if they see in your medical records that you have been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, chances are they will try to blame your current problems on it.
What Can I Do if I Have Spondylolisthesis?
Under Iowa law, a person injured in a car crash is entitled to recover damages for an injury that aggravates a prior condition like spondylolisthesis. Therefore, if your medical records show no history of prior back problems until after a crash and your doctors provide opinions that your current back pain is due to the car accident, then you should be able to recover for the condition. However, this does not mean the insurance company will recognize and agree with your doctors. They may still take the position that they are not going to pay for anymore than a few weeks of treatment following the car crash because of your pre-existing spondylolisthesis. If you do not believe that the insurance company is offering you a fair amount of compensation, then you should contact an experienced Iowa personal injury attorney for assistance.
How Can an Attorney Help Me?
At our office, we offer a no cost comprehensive car crash review at no risk to you. We will tell you if we think it is worth pursuing the matter further with our office or if you should try to settle the case on your own. If you are not yet ready to hire a personal injury lawyer, then you should at least request a copy of our Iowa Car Accident book which includes your rights, responsibilities and things to look out for in your case. You will learn 6 Things to Know Before Talking to the Insurance Adjustor, 5 Things to Know Before Signing Forms or Hiring an Attorney and 10 Myths about Car Accidents. We offer our Iowa car accident book because Iowa Personal Injury Attorneys Corey Walker and Erik Bair have represented hundreds of Iowans injured in car accidents for more than 20 years and they have seen too many clients make costly mistakes resulting in them losing thousands of dollars. Iowans from Des Moines, Ames, Newton, Pella and from throughout Iowa beginning to realize that the insurance company for the other driver is not required to tell them the law or help them with their case so it is important to learn about Iowa's car accident laws. Finally, you can learn about car accidents in the comfort of your own home with no cost, risk or obligation so to learn how to avoid costly mistakes request your copy of our Iowa car accident book now. For immediate assistance call (641) 792-3595 and ask for Corey or Erik.