Bulging or herniated discs are a common result of many accidents. While not as serious as a spinal cord injury, a herniated disc can cause severe pain and weakness, impacting a person’s ability to work or participate in activities they enjoy.
If you’re coping with a herniated disc injury after an accident in Georgia, getting quality legal services can help you pursue maximum compensation for your medical expenses and other losses. Contact the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., today for a free case evaluation with an Albany disc injury lawyer.
What is a Herniated Disc Injury?
Vertebrae in the spinal column are cushioned by discs, which have a soft, jelly-like inner filling surrounded by a tough outer layer. A herniated disc injury, also called a slipped disc, occurs when the inner filling of a spinal disc pushes through the outer layer through a tear or rupture.
Herniated discs can put pressure on the spinal cord or nerve bundles exiting the spinal column, causing severe pain and weakness in various parts of the body. They occur most frequently in the lumbar spine (the lowest region of the spinal column) and cervical spine (the top region of the spinal column). Herniated disc injuries differ from other kinds of spinal injuries, such as fractured vertebrae and spinal cord injuries.
Common Spinal Disc Injuries
Other types of spinal disc injuries include:
- Bulging disc – A bulging disc injury happens when the inner portion of a spinal disc causes the outer layer to bow or bulge outward, but the outer layer has not yet suffered a tear or rupture. According to the Mayo Clinic, a bulging disc is less likely to cause pain than a herniated disc.
- Degenerative disc disease – Degenerative disc disease is the natural degradation of the outer layer of the spinal discs that occurs as people age. Other environmental and lifestyle factors can accelerate the decline. Degenerative disc disease increases the risk of suffering a bulging or herniated disc injury.
- Pinched nerve – A herniated or bulging disc can press on nerve roots exiting the spinal cord, causing radiating pain throughout the nerve bundle. Pinched nerves in the lumbar spine can cause a common condition called sciatica.
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
A herniated disc can cause various symptoms depending on the location of the injury, including:
- Pain limited to one side of the body
- Sharp pain in one leg, hip, or the buttocks
- Pain when moving the neck
- Pain radiating through the shoulder and upper arm
- Numbness or tingling in fingers
- Muscle weakness in one arm or leg
Pain or discomfort from a herniated disc can become sharp when engaging in specific activities or movements, such as:
- Prolonged standing or sitting
- Extended physical exertion
- Sneezing, coughing, or laughing
- Bending backwards
- Walking extended distances
Accidents That Can Cause a Herniated Disc
At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., an experienced back injury attorney can help you seek financial recovery after suffering a herniated disc. Accidents that could cause disc injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents–The force of impact in car crashes, including collisions with bicycles and pedestrians, can tear the outer layer of a spinal disc.
- Truck accidents – Due to their size and weight, commercial trucks impart more violent force to a traffic accident than cars, significantly increasing the chances of physical trauma that results in serious injuries, including a bulging or herniated disc.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders may suffer herniated disc injuries when a collision occurs or if they get thrown from the bike and strike the ground.
- Workplace accidents – A herniated disc can happen in any workplace, but especially in occupations involving heavy labor. Construction workers, warehouse workers, delivery drivers, and utility workers can suffer a herniated disc injury due to overexertion, repetitive movements, or falls.
- Premises liability accidents – Georgia law requires property owners and managers to keep their premises free of safety hazards. A premises liability accident occurs when a visitor gets hurt due to a dangerous property condition. Many types of premises liability incidents can cause a herniated disc, such as slip-and-fall accidents, trip-and-fall accidents, or elevator/escalator accidents.
- Defective product accidents – Accidents caused by malfunctioning or flawed consumer products, such as e-scooters or ATVs, can lead to spinal injuries if the defect causes a crash, fall, or other incident.
Compensation for Your Herniated Disc Injury
If another party’s carelessness caused your spinal injury, you can file a legal claim demanding herniated disc compensation from them. A back injury attorney from the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., will fight to maximize financial recovery for your:
- Medical bills and rehabilitation, including surgeries, hospitalization, physical therapy, and pain management care
- Disability care and replacement services if the injury interferes with your ability to perform daily tasks
- Lost wages or reduced earnings if you need to transfer to a part-time or modified-duty position due to medical restrictions
- Lost earning capacity and employment benefits
- Chronic pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life if the injury prevents you from participating in hobbies you previously enjoyed
The value of your herniated disc injury claim will depend on various factors, such as:
- The severity of your injury
- Duration of your medical treatment
- The types of treatment and rehabilitation you need
- Whether the disc injury temporarily or permanently keeps you out of work
- How your back injury adversely affects your personal life
Get Help from a Herniated Discs Injury Lawyer in Georgia
Living with a herniated disc injury can cause immobilizing pain and significant limitations in your daily life. If someone else’s negligence is responsible for your spinal injury, recovering maximum compensation can keep you financially afloat while you recover. However, insurance companies are notorious for devaluing back injury claims. Let an experienced attorney fight back for the full compensation you deserve. Call or contact the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., for a free consultation with an Albany personal injury lawyer.
Our law firm has a proven track record of successfully representing accident victims in personal injury cases and workers’ compensation claims. You can rely on us to negotiate aggressively with the insurance company, file all timely claims, and push for the fair settlement you deserve. Reach out today for help with your personal injury case in Albany.
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