Breaking your tailbone, also known as the coccyx, can be a painful and frustrating injury. It most commonly occurs after a slip and fall, a car accident, or other acute trauma to the lower back. Even though the tailbone is a tiny bone on the tip of your spine, pain from an injury may cause simple tasks like sitting, bending, or walking to be painful for weeks or months. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, what you do next is even more critical.

Having some idea of what to do first cannot only aid in your recovery but also protect your legal rights.

Consult A Personal Injury Attorney If Someone Else Is to Blame

If you have a broken tailbone as a result of another person’s carelessness, such as slipping on a dirty floor or a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. You can recover the cost of medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering and a good personal injury attorney can guide you through the process of making a claim.

A lawyer will look at the details of your accident, collect evidence such as doctors’ reports or witness statements, and determine if you have a solid case. Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations and charge on a contingency fee basis, which means that they only get paid if you receive a settlement or court ruling.

Get Immediate Medical Attention

After any fall that causes trauma to the tailbone, you should see a physician right away. Even if the pain is tolerable at first, coccyx injuries can worsen over time if not addressed. Early inspection also creates a health history that could be invaluable if you sue for personal injury.

Physicians can also inspect for related injuries, such as fractures of the pelvic region or lower back, which can coexist with a fractured tailbone. Early medical assessment provides treatment and prevents possible further complications.

Follow the Doctor’s Treatment Plan

Tailbone damage will generally heal within weeks, and your doctor’s treatment plan is the fastest path to recovery. Rest, pain relievers, and sitting on a doughnut or pillow will accomplish most treatments. More powerful medication or therapy may be required in some individuals.

Use Ice Packs to Reduce Swelling

Applying ice packs to the area where the tailbone is painful will decrease swelling and dull pain, especially in the first 48 hours of the incident. Ice must be applied for 15 to 20 minutes, and then repeated twice daily. A towel or cloth should be put between the ice pack and skin to avoid frostbite.

This easy step can be a great aid in the alleviation of pain. Applying ice treatment with proper rest and support when sitting can make recovery a breeze and enable you to return to normal activities more easily.

Wrapping Up

A broken tailbone can be a painful reminder of how exposed the human body is, but proper precautions can enable you to recover and protect your legal rights. If another person’s negligence hurt you, a personal injury attorney might secure the funds you need for treatment and lost wages.

That said, proper care, X-rays, and listening to your physician’s advice will heal you. Most recover in months or weeks with medical treatment and time and resume normal activities.

The following is a summary of what you should do if you accidentally break your tailbone:

• Slips, falls, or car wrecks typically lead to tailbone injuries.
• If the other person is liable, you have a personal injury attorney who may act on your behalf to pursue damages.
• Medical attention is needed to diagnose the injury and rule out more severe causes.
• Treatment by your physician following your visit enhances healing and maximizes
• the chances of success.
• The majority of individuals recover within weeks or months, but legal and medical assistance can make it easier.