Suffered a Herniated Disc Injury Due to an Accident? Here’s What You Need to Know

Throbbing aches and stiffness along the spine. Numbness and tingling in the muscles.  Excruciating neck, arm, and leg pain. Chronic back pain. Do any of these symptoms describe those you experienced after an auto accident? If so, you are encouraged to seek immediate medical attention because you may be suffering from a herniated disc injury.

If you suffered herniated disc injuries from an accident and have questions about the process for filing a claim, contact the experienced Florida injury lawyers at Searcy Denney for a case evaluation. Our personal injury lawyers have decades of experience and are trained to help clients recover the compensation they are entitled to for the injuries they sustained in an auto accident. At our firm, we fight for our clients.

What is a Herniated Disc Injury?

Discs are the pieces of round cushion that sit between the bones and your spine (also known as your vertebrae). Discs, in a way, act as little shock absorbers to help prevent your bones from rubbing against one another. A herniated disc injury is a common personal injury sustained by individuals after a car accident and typically occurs when the force of an auto accident causes an injured party’s vertebrae to push into the spinal canal. Then causing it to compress or cause pressure. If you suffer from a herniated disc injury after a car accident, you will want to seek medical help immediately – time is of the essence. Without treating this injury promptly and properly, an injured party could suffer from chronic pain or even more long-term disabilities such as paralysis.  

How to Test for and Treat Herniated Disc Injuries

After seeking immediate medical treatment for your auto accident-induced herniated disc injuries, a doctor will perform a medical examination and likely use various types of diagnostic tests to confirm that you are suffering from herniated disks. Some tests that may be performed include, but are not limited to the following:

• CT Scans
• EMG
• MRI
• Myelography
• SPECT
• X-Rays

After confirming a herniated disc injury, a doctor may commonly recommend surgery as a course of treatment to avoid further harm to the spinal cord. Some common herniated disc surgeries include spinal fusion surgery, discectomy surgery, lumbar laminotomy, vertebroplasty, and artificial disc implant. Surgeries for herniated disc injuries include risks such as:

• Infections
• Nerve or blood vessel damage
• Spinal cord fluid leaks
• Bleeding, among other issues

What is the Process Pursuing Compensation for Herniated Disc Injuries Caused by a Negligent Party?

If your herniated disc injuries were caused because of an auto accident, you will want to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can explain the legal process to you and what your options are. 

In some cases, a claim will be filed with an insurance company immediately after an accident. 

Once a claim is reported to the insurance carrier, typically the insurance carrier will assign an insurance adjuster to begin working on the claim. The adjuster will typically contact both the insured party and the injured party to learn about the details of the accident and to collect important documentation relevant to the case such as medical records and other records documenting the damages sustained. Eventually, the adjuster from the insurance company may offer to settle the claim. If you are unsure if the offer is fair, your attorney can review the offer and if necessary negotiate on your behalf to help you obtain the compensation that is appropriate for the injuries you sustained in your case.  

Although the majority of personal injury claims settle outside of the courtroom, some cases go to a trial. In the event the insurance company will not offer a reasonable settlement, you want to work with an experienced Florida injury attorney who can file a lawsuit on your behalf, if necessary. If your case goes to trial, a trial lawyer can help prepare you and your case for trial. 

What Compensation Is Available for Personal Injury Cases Involving Herniated Disc Injuries?

If you suffered serious injuries in an auto accident involving herniated disc injuries, there are a variety of different types of damages that you may pursue for your injuries, including both economic and non-economic damages such as:

• Medical expenses related to the herniated disc injuries you sustained (and other injuries related to the accident)
• Loss of income
• Pain and suffering

If you are unsure about the compensation you may be able to obtain for your herniated disc injuries, speak with an experienced Florida injury lawyer. The Florida injury lawyers at Searcy Denney can help explain the legal process and can advocate on your behalf to ensure you obtain fair compensation for the herniated disc injuries you sustained as a result of an auto accident. If you are concerned about the costs of filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit, Searcy Denney may be willing to take your case on a contingency fee basis depending on the facts of your case. A contingency fee means that you are only charged a fee if you win your case and receive a financial award, so you don’t have to pay fees out of your own pocket. 

Have Questions About Recovering Damages for Your Herniated Disc Injuries? Call Our Florida Injury Lawyers Today  

Were you injured in an accident and sustained herniated disc injuries? If so and you have questions about your personal injury case, contact the Florida injury lawyers at Searcy Denney today. The lawyers at our firm are experienced with personal injury cases and can help you determine whether you are entitled to damages for your herniated disc injuries. We can help explain the legal process that follows a personal injury case. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation. We have offices conveniently located in Tampa,  West Palm Beach and Tallahassee and work on a contingency fee basis.  We are standing by to help you with your personal injury case.