Herniated Disc Injuries | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

One of the most common car accident injuries that people suffer from are back and neck injuries. Even if you were wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, you can still sustain an injury to your back or neck. Many injured car accident victims discover that the cause of all their pain and discomfort is the result of a herniated disc injury. If you have been diagnosed with this injury and it was caused by a car accident that was not your fault, then a Virginia personal injury attorney may be able to help you obtain a herniated disc injury settlement.

Herniated or protruding disc injuries are serious – after all, it is part of your spine that has been injured. These discs are what prevent the sharp bones of the spine from rubbing against each other. The discs are what allow us to bend, twist, and move our backs comfortably.

Discs are made up of an inner soft part and an outer hard ring. When a disc is injured, that soft part of the ring pushes out through the outer ring, causing a lot of pain. Slipped or herniated discs can also compress the nerves in an injured person’s spine, causing even more pain and numbness. Herniated disc pain can spread all the way up to the neck, as well as down the legs.

Many car accident victims don’t always immediately realize that they have a herniated or protruding disc injury. They may experience some discomfort following the car crash, and insurance companies will often try to convince victims the back injury and pain they have is minor. The insurance representative will often attempt to get the person to quickly sign off on the accident for much less than what the person would be entitled to receive under a herniated or protruding disc injury settlement.

Diagnosis of a herniated disc can sometimes be difficult because the injury does not show up on x-rays. Injured car accident victims who are suffering from back pain often need to have an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to find out the extent of their injuries and get a proper diagnosis.

Treatment for a herniated or protruding disc injury is at least six weeks and typically involves anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy. Some people also try acupuncture, laser therapy, or chiropractic adjustments. If none of these treatments work, surgery may be called for. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that any of these treatments will heal a herniated disc injury.

Cost of medical treatments and medications, lost time from work, and pain and suffering a car accident victim struggles with are all factors that will be considered in a herniated disc injury settlement. Contact a skilled Virginia car accident attorney to discuss what your legal options are for the pain and loss you have suffered from your herniated or protruding disc injury.