Back injuries can cause significant pain and limit your range of motion. Some of the most common of these injuries are herniated discs, with as many as three million people in the United States suffering from them each year. These wounds can occur for a number of reasons, including accidents.
If you’ve suffered a herniated disc in a Louisiana accident, you may be entitled to file a claim against the liable parties. A knowledgeable Lafayette back injury lawyer can help you put together a strong claim so that you have a chance to receive compensation for what you’ve experienced.
What Are Herniated Discs?
The spine is made up of a number of bones called vertebrae. Between these bones, you have discs that function like cushions, preventing them from rubbing together and allowing you to move easily and without pain.
Each of these discs has a soft center called the nucleus that contains a substance with a consistency similar to jelly. This substance is encased in the annulus.
If you have a herniated disc, some of the nucleus has pushed out past the annulus.
This can lead to a number of symptoms, including:
- Muscle weakness
- Back pain (location-specific)
- Tingling or numbness in legs or arms
- Pain when turning your neck
The pain can range from mild to disabling, depending on the severity of the injury as well as its location.
Common Causes of Herniated Discs
Herniated discs can occur for a number of reasons, with many people developing them from the simple wear and tear that comes with aging. In some cases, however, trauma can be the reason for the pain you’re experiencing.
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of herniated discs. They tend to occur most often in high-speed collisions, but they can be a result of any crash that causes trauma to your spine.
Falls are another cause. They can lead a disc to slip out of place or rupture, resulting in significant pain. Fall-related herniated discs tend to occur in the lower back, but they can also happen in the cervical spine.
It’s also possible to suffer a herniated disc from overuse. If you have a job that requires heavy lifting or repetitive lifting and twisting motions, that can lead to this injury. It can be even more likely to occur if you don’t have appropriate safety gear or if you have not been trained on correct lifting techniques.
Compensation for Herniated Discs
If a slip and fall accident or a collision resulted in a herniated disc, it’s possible to file a claim for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover financial losses that you sustained because of the injury, such as medical expenses. That includes the future medical needs you may have.
You can also recover lost wages. It’s likely that you have had to miss work while dealing with the herniated disc. You may be able to receive this lost income in a settlement. In instances when you won’t be able to return to work in the same capacity or at all, you can claim loss of earning potential.
In contrast, non-economic damages account for non-financial losses, such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
How a Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help After an Accident Leads to Herniated Discs
Suffering a back injury in a car accident, slip and fall incident, or at your place of work can mean experiencing severe pain. You could face significant medical bills as you receive treatment and be unable to work at your full capacity, if at all. If someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct caused your injuries, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help.
Back injury attorneys can do several things to support your claim for compensation, including:
- Evaluating your claim
- Investigating the accident that caused the back injury
- Gathering evidence to prove liability
- Communicating and negotiating with insurance companies
- Representing you in court, if needed
Herniated discs can cause severe pain and complications that hinder your ability to enjoy life, work, lift heavy objects, and participate in hobbies. An experienced personal injury attorney can properly evaluate these losses and fight for fair compensation through a settlement or court verdict.
Do You Have a Herniated Disc? Contact a Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Suffering a herniated disc in a Lafayette accident can be life-altering. You may not be able to perform everyday tasks and could find working impossible. If someone else’s conduct led to your losses, you may have a right to file a claim against them.
At Kenny Habetz Injury Law, our Louisiana back injury lawyer can help you understand your rights. Contact our team today to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.
