Charlotte Herniated Disc Injury Lawyer

Charlotte Herniated Disc Injury Attorney

A herniated disc injury caused at the workplace or by a car accident can have serious long-term effects, limiting the ability of a person to move and complete normal, everyday tasks. Although it is fairly common for a herniated disc to be corrected, the pain and limitations of such an injury can still greatly hinder an individual’s life. A accident attorney can provide you with information about what your next steps should be after such an accident.

If you have experienced a herniated disc as the result of an accident that was caused by another person or entity’s negligence, it is important that you contact an experienced Charlotte herniated disc injury lawyer. They can aid you in getting the help and compensation you need. Rather than waiting and hoping that an injury will go away on its own, reach out for assistance. You will be thankful that you did.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc, also sometimes called a slipped disc or a ruptured disc, refers to an issue involving one or more of the discs that make up the space between the bones of the spine. These discs are soft and rubbery, containing a nucleus in the center that is also soft. Sometimes, for various reasons, the nucleus of a disc can push through the exterior of the disc and even press onto spinal nerves that are nearby. This can be extremely painful.

Herniated discs often happen in the lower back, although they can technically occur in any part of the spine. Sometimes, disc herniation can happen gradually as a result of aging as well as wear and tear on the body that happens naturally as you get older. Other times, herniated discs are caused by specific circumstances, such as workplace or car accidents.

Herniated Disc vs. Regular Back Pain

Back pain is a broad term that many people use to describe any type of pain felt in the back or spinal region. However, there are various types of back pain that stem from a variety of causes. Herniated disc pain, specifically, is a result of a bulging disc pressing on nerves along the spinal cord, which is a certain type of pain that is different from that caused by muscle strain. There are some simple ways to discern whether back pain is nerve-related or muscle-related.

The nerves that are in your spine do not end with your spine. They travel to other parts of your body. Therefore, when you have pain that is a result of nerve damage, the pain will most likely extend into regions beyond your back. This could include the shoulders, arms, legs, and more, even to your legs. Numbness and tingling may also be present along these nerve pathways, which would not necessarily be the result of muscle pain.

Is a Herniated Disc the Same as a Bulging Disc?

The discs in between the bones of the spine are flexible and rubbery, designed this way to help with and facilitate the body’s movement. As the body ages, however, these discs become increasingly less flexible. Because of this, the outer layer of the disc can sometimes bulge out. Bulging discs are defined by the changing shape of the outer layer of the disc.

Conversely, a herniated disc involves not only the outer part of the disc but the inner part as well. When a disc is herniated, the nucleus, which is the interior section of the disc, has slipped through the outer part and can, in some cases, press on the surrounding nerves. A herniated disc can oftentimes be more painful than a bulging disc because it has a higher likelihood of affecting the surrounding nerves, which is where a good deal of the pain can come from.

Symptoms of a Herniated Disc

If you are experiencing symptoms of what may be a herniated disc, it is important to have a medical professional examine your back injury. Symptoms of a herniated disc can manifest in various areas of the body, including the back, arms, legs, shoulders, neck, hips, and even feet. This is mostly because of the large span of nerves that run from your spinal cord to almost every other area of the body.

Some specific symptoms of a herniated disc can include, but are not limited to:

• Pain, numbness, or tingling in any of the above-mentioned areas
• Sharp bursts of pain along nerve areas.
• Jolts of pain that feel like electric shocks along nerve areas
• Pain while bending to sit or straightening up from being in a bent position
• Pain while sitting or lying down in specific positions

Herniated discs involve nerve pain, which is a very different kind of pain from muscle pain. Both of these types of pain may be experienced as a result of a workplace accident, which is why it is important to consult a medical professional. Once your injuries have been properly identified, an experienced accident attorney can help you get the compensation that you need to adequately recover, both physically and financially.

There are cases in which a herniated disc does not give any symptoms of pain. There are other cases in which pain does not show up until days or weeks after the accident has taken place. For these reasons, it is important to seek legal counsel once an accident occurs so that, if pain does manifest later, you are aware of your options.

Herniated Disc Treatment

Treatment for a herniated disc can be quite simple. Once your pain has been identified as being caused by a herniated disc, a few measures may be implemented to help treat it. Primarily, you will want to change certain activities to keep from doing any movement which causes pain. This may be supplemented with certain pain medications, such as Tylenol, muscle relaxers, and, potentially, opioids in certain severe cases.

If your injury is serious and painful enough, it may be recommended that you engage in some form of therapy to help yourself heal properly. In rare cases, surgery may be used to treat a herniated disc. This will most likely not become an option until all other forms of treatment are exhausted. Surgeons can sometimes remove the portion of the disc that is protruding and causing pain to the nerve.

If you have a herniated disc as a result of a workplace accident, especially one that was not your fault, you could be entitled to compensation to cover treatment and therapy costs. An experienced accident attorney can help you determine if this is an option for your specific case.

A herniated disc is considered an orthopedic injury. Orthopedic injuries are those that pertain to the body’s orthopedic, or musculoskeletal, system. This includes your bones, ligaments, joints, tendons, muscles, and nerves. It is a complex system that involves various parts of the body and can affect many other areas of the body if injured. Such an injury may require a visit to an orthopedic specialist or surgeon.

Medical Expenses That Factor into Treating Herniated Discs

There are many expenses that factor into any injury. After a herniated disc injury at work, most people will likely need to be examined for injuries that they may not be aware of. If you do have a herniated disc, there can be many treatments that you will need to properly recover. These may include medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and, potentially, even surgery. You may be able to receive compensation for all these expenses after an accident that was not your fault.

Beyond these costs, there are others that can factor into your situation and possibly result in compensation. These can include the loss of work time as a result of needing to be on bed rest or simply being unable to perform the physical functions that are required in your normal workday. An experienced attorney can help you identify areas of life in which your injury may affect your ability to make money, which you can, therefore, be compensated for.

Effects of Untreated Herniated Discs

The spine functions as the central support structure of the entire body, making it one of its most important parts. Injuries that involve the spine are serious and can result in long-term issues if left unattended and untreated. Herniated discs can involve the spine in multiple areas, making them issues that should not be ignored or put off to be dealt with at a later time. The spine also facilitates flexibility, so it can be difficult to function with an unhealthy spine.

Leaving a herniated disc untreated can have a variety of long-term effects on your overall health. In serious cases, you could be at risk of permanent paralysis. In less serious cases, you could experience long-term pain. Because the discs in your spine are so closely linked to the nerves, damage to them can result in permanent nerve damage. This has the potential to also damage the bladder later if the problem is ignored.

If you choose not to file a claim for a wrongful herniated disc injury at work, it can leave you in pain in the future, without the ability to have treatments financially covered or compensated. If you have sustained any type of injury at work that you believe may have resulted in even a painless herniated disc, it is important to move quickly in getting it diagnosed and seeking legal counsel.

How Herniated Disc Injuries Happen in the Workplace

In some cases, herniated disc injuries do not cause pain until long after the injury has occurred. Certain actions, however, are more likely to cause herniated discs. If you are aware of these potential causes of herniated discs, you may be able to identify the problem before the pain gets beyond a bearable point. Some common ways that herniated discs happen in the workplace include:

• Heavy lifting. Many manual labor jobs include lifting heavy things on a daily basis. Specific techniques are required to successfully lift heavy objects in a way that does not unnecessarily stress or strain the body. Such techniques can include using the strength in your knees rather than putting all the weight on your back. Sometimes, when too much weight is put on the back, herniated discs can happen.
• Certain repetitive motions. Many jobs require repetitive motions throughout the day, such as pushing, pulling, lifting, bending sideways, and/or twisting. These can all cause spinal discs to wear down over time and even lead to herniated discs. In some cases, even the repetitive “motion” of sitting in a certain position over time can cause herniated discs.
• Physical trauma. Traumatic events sometimes happen during manual labor. These may include a fall, a blow to the back, and even certain sudden movements that involve sharply twisting or lifting.

Are Herniated Disc Injuries Covered Under Workers’ Comp?

Herniated discs that are truly caused by workplace-related injuries may be covered by workers’ comp. It is important that you gather evidence to prove that the injuries you sustained were caused by or related to work. An experienced attorney can help you do this. Successfully proving a work injury can be more difficult if you have a pre-existing injury that was sports-related or happened earlier in life. However, it is not impossible to do so with the help of an accident attorney.

Filing a Claim for a Herniated Disc

Workers’ compensation claims can be complex and difficult to pursue without the help of experienced legal counsel. There are many parties that must be included in the claim, such as your employer and their insurance company. You must also work within certain timeframes to receive compensation. Furthermore, you must gather and present evidence to prove that you are truly injured and that your injury is work-related.

Evidence that you will need to gather may include medical records, employment history, testimonies of witnesses to your injury, and, potentially, even the testimony of doctors or other medical professionals. Your insurance company will review your claim and determine whether your injuries are valid and work-related. For this reason, it is important to have an experienced accident attorney on your side who can help you get what you deserve.

Third-Party Personal Injury Claims

Normally, you are not allowed to file a personal injury claim against your employer, as workplace injuries are generally addressed by workers’ compensation. However, if a third party, such as a subcontractor or vendor, caused your injury due to some form of negligence, you can file a personal injury claim against that party in addition to filing for workers’ compensation.

FAQs

Q: How Much of a Settlement Should I Expect for a Herniated Disc?

A: A herniated disc injury caused by a workplace accident can vary in severity. Because of this, there can be a variety of treatment needs and costs. There are many variables and expenses involved with a herniated disc, including surgery costs, insurance coverage, doctor visits, and more. The value of a settlement for such a case can therefore be extremely varied and will depend upon your specific situation.

Q: What Will the Compensation Be for a Herniated Disc?

A: While the exact figures for compensation for a herniated disc will vary from situation to situation, there are some particular losses that you may be entitled to receive compensation for. These can include costs relating to doctor visits and examinations, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, medication, and more. An experienced attorney can help you determine what specific expenses may be eligible for compensation.

Q: Is a Herniated Disc Considered a Serious Injury?

A: The spine is one of the most important parts of the body, facilitating movement and flexibility. Damage to the spine can cause long-term chronic pain and result in issues with other parts of the body, such as damage to nerves and even some organs. Because of this, significant damage to a disc, such as in a herniated disc, can and should be considered serious. You should seek medical attention if there is pain involved, as it may only worsen over time.

Q: How Are Herniated Discs Treated?

A:  Herniated discs may require multiple forms and aspects of treatment. One way that herniated discs are typically treated is through bed rest or refraining from movements that cause pain. This may need to last for several days or sometimes even weeks. There are also medications, such as pain relievers or muscle relaxers, that may be administered to assist in relieving herniated disc pain. In some serious cases, surgery to remove the bulging part of the herniated disc may be needed.

Get Help Today

Any injury that occurs in the workplace should be taken seriously. Not only should you ensure that you seek proper medical care, but you should also seek appropriate legal counsel. Especially if another individual was at fault for your herniated disc injury, it is important to know and understand your legal options for compensation. At The Bollinger Law Firm, PC, our compassionate and experienced legal team is ready to guide you through this legal process.

After a workplace accident, there are many tasks to be taken care of. When you are injured, these can become even more difficult to manage. Do not try to handle everything alone. Reach out today to speak with a member of our Charlotte legal team about how we can help.