Study of whiplash compensation claimants reveals obesity no obstacle to recovery

It has long been assumed that obesity slows recovery from whiplash-style neck injuries. However, a Canadian study of whiplash compensation claimants found that, contrary to all popular notions concerning the links between obesity and chronic pain, obesity does not appear to hinder the recovery of patients suffering from this kind of neck injury.

The study of whiplash compensation claimants was carried out by Dr Xiaoqing Yang at the Toronto-based Institute of Work and Health then reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology. In all, 4,395 claimants were monitored over a period beginning in 1994 and lasting for more than three years.

It was when the findings that obesity made no or negligible difference to whiplash recovery times were reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology that they caused a stir. Previously it has always been held as a rule that obesity heightened the symptoms of chronic pain and that weight loss played an invaluable role in helping to minimise the effects of cervical spine injury.

Although the researchers were able to confidently state that there is no difference in the recovery times experienced by individuals of different weights, they did warn that since obesity has strong associations with other injuries and health conditions, it could be an indirect complicating factor in the progress of a patient's whiplash injury recovery.

Car accident litigation lawyers
Although there are other causes such as sporting accidents or slips and falls, car accidents are the world's most common cause of whiplash-style neck injury.

While it may not have any visible symptoms, whiplash can be extremely debilitating, restricting sufferers' mobility and comfort to such a degree that many may need to take extended periods off work in order to recuperate.

YouClaim are experts in helping such people claim for pain, suffering and lost earnings, something which is reflected in the excellent success rate we have built up over the years in representing our clients.

All our no win, no fee solicitors are governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and all work on a no costs basis, win or lose. This means that if your claim is a success, we will claim our fees from the opponent's side, and if it is not, we recoup our costs through ATE (After the Event) Insurance. In short, this means that you never have to pay us anything.

Many prospective claimants worry that their compensation awards will be eaten up by hefty cuts, at YouClaim we enjoy being able to reassure all our road accident claim clients that our no-cut commitment assures them 100% compensation. We take no cuts.

If you would like to discover more about how our expertise can be used to give you the best chance of receiving whiplash compensation, fill out an online claim form, have an electronic chat or call us now on 0800 10 757 95.

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