New York Herniated Disc Injury Lawyer
If you’ve sustained a herniated disc due to the negligence of another party, such as a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, you could be entitled to significant compensation. While some individuals eventually recover, others are disabled, requiring surgery and a long period of rehabilitation. Even if you have some mobility, you may be unable to work. A herniated disc and the subsequent chronic pain affect not only your health but also your employment and financial well-being.
You need a qualified and skilled New York personal injury attorney from Douglas & London. We understand the emotional and physical stress a herniated disc can cause you and your family. Our team provides aggressive representation to ensure the best chance of compensation for your medical bills, missed wages, and other losses. Our office is in Manhattan, but we also represent clients in The Bron, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
What is a Herniated Disc?
Our bodies contain 24 vertebrae in the spinal column. Between each vertebra is a spongy disc that acts as a shock absorber. These discs consist of a thick outer layer and a jelly-like inner layer. It is the jelly-like substance that provides cushioning to the spinal column.
Herniated discs occur when some of the gelatinous substance pushes out through the tough top layer. If the disc pushes on the spinal nerves, the victim may experience severe pain. Herniated discs are also known as slipped, bulging, or ruptured. While discs may herniate in any part of the spine, the lower back or lumbar region is most frequently affected.
Common causes of disc herniation
While herniated discs may result from normal wear and tear as the body ages, a sudden impact, such as an accident, can also cause a disc to rupture. The most common accidents include the following:
In addition, herniated discs are common workplace injuries. They are often caused by heavy lifting or other physically demanding work. Many of these injuries generally fall under the purview of workers’ compensation. However, a herniated disc injury lawyer could identify third parties who may prove liable because their recklessness or careless actions caused the accident.
Finally, not all personal injury lawsuits involving herniated discs involve accidents. Some may involve medical malpractice. If a healthcare provider is negligent in diagnosing or treating a herniated disc, severe and permanent injury may occur.
Herniated discs signs and symptoms
Symptoms of a herniated disc vary depending on where the rupture took place. The Mayo Clinic reports that if you experience pain in any of the following areas, a herniated disc may be the cause:
- Lower back–a ruptured disc in the lower back or lumbar region may also cause pain in the buttocks, thighs, calves, or feet.
- Neck–pain in the shoulder or arm may also indicate a herniated disc in the neck.
- Lower back pain that gets worse when walking or standing.
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction, which is a medical emergency.
- Loss of feeling in the legs, thighs, or rectum.
In some cases, disk herniation can compress the entire spinal canal. Emergency surgery might be needed to avoid permanent weakness or paralysis.
How an Experienced New York Herniated Disc Lawyer Can Help
A herniated disc injury attorney investigates your claim thoroughly and identifies the parties that may be liable. We negotiate with their insurance company while protecting your rights. Insurance companies often claim that the accident did not cause the herniated disc or try to minimize the damage or the seriousness of your injury.
We will also advise you on what to do. For instance, it is crucial that you follow your doctor’s treatment plan and attend every appointment. It is also important to avoid posting anything about your accident on social media. Insurance companies scour social media postings to find anything that may discredit your claim.
Our team knows a fair settlement value for your claim based on the extent of your injuries and disability. While most of these lawsuits are settled, we will go to court if the insurance company does not agree to a reasonable amount.
Herniated Disc Compensation
The amount you collect for a personal injury depends upon a myriad of factors:
- The type and extent of your injuries, including the long-term prognosis
- The amount of wages you lost
- The amount of disruption to your daily life
- The strength of the evidence compiled by your personal injury attorney, including testimony provided by expert witnesses
Compensation, or damages, for a herniated disc injury may include:
- Medical expenses, present and future
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
You must also file your claim within the state’s statute of limitations. Typically, this deadline is three years from the date of your injury, though it could be as short as six months.
Contact a New York Herniated Disc Lawyer
If you suffered a herniated disc due to another party’s negligence or recklessness, contact our team of New York Injury Lawyers at Douglas & London. We have a proven track record of multi-million-dollar personal injury settlements and verdicts. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. Because we work on a contingency basis, there is no fee unless you receive compensation.
