I Have A Herniated Disc From A Saint Petersburg Car Accident, What Now?

22 Jul I Have A Herniated Disc From A Saint Petersburg Car Accident, What Now?

It is sad to say that neck and back injuries are some of the most common injuries a Saint Petersburg car accident victim will sustain. Sometimes car accident injuries may be minor, just something that aches or pains from time to time. However, sometime permanent injuries and impairments will severely disrupt an individual’s life. A herniated disc has been considered a permanent and serious injury. Disc injuries can cause significant impairment where one has make changes to their day to day life. While insurance companies try to minimize a herniated disc injury in order to pay you less, as you will see below, justice needs to be sought and proper compensation needs to be recovered when suffering from an injury such as this.

What Is A Herniated Disc?

Often times after receiving an MRI after a car accident, a medical provider may tell you that you have a herniated disc. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, “[a] herniated disc (also called bulged, slipped or ruptured) is a fragment of the disc nucleus that is pushed out of the annulus, into the spinal canal through a tear or rupture in the annulus. The spinal canal has limited space, which is inadequate for the spinal nerve and the displaced herniated disc fragment. Due to this displacement, the disc presses on spinal nerves, often producing pain, which may be severe.”

Where Does A Herniated Disc Occur?

Herniated discs can happen anywhere in the spine. While herniated discs are more common in the lower back, also known as the lumbar spine, they can also occur in the neck, known as the cervical spine. Depending on which part of the spine hurts is where the herniation likely exists.

How Is A Herniated Disc Caused?

Although a herniated disc can be caused by degeneration and age, it can also be caused by a traumatic injury, such as a car accident. The insurance company will want to argue that your herniation(s) was caused by degeneration and because of that, has little value. Therefore, it is important that you have a qualified and experienced Saint Petersburg car accident attorney on your side that can use medical reports, experts, evidence, and testimony to link your injuries to the accident thereby making sure that your are justly compensated.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Herniated Disc?

Symptoms of a herniated disc often vary greatly. It typically depends on the position and size of the herniation. If the herniation is not pressing on a nerve, the pain may be relatively low. However, if it is pressing on a nerve, there may be numbness or weakness where the nerve travels in the body. Herniations can cause a long history of intermittent pain.

Some common disc herniation symptoms in the low back (lumbar spine) include:

• lumbar (low back) radiculopathy
• burning, tingling or numbness
• radiating pain
• sharp low back pain
• leg pain

Some common disc herniation symptoms in the neck (cervical spine) include:

• cervical (neck) radiculopathy
• sharp neck pain
• pain between shoulder pains
• pain that radiates down the arm to the hand or fingers
• numbness or tingling in the shoulder or arms

Treatment For A Herniated Disc

There are a variety of treatments that may be recommended to treat the herniated disc and they all are determined on a case by case basis. Conservative care could include limiting activity, resting, and medication. Non-invasive care could include chiropractic care, massage, ice and heat therapy, and physical therapy. Sometimes more invasive treatment may be recommended such as an injection. In severe car accident cases where all of these measures fail, sometimes the disc herniation is so severe that surgery is recommended. Obviously, this is a last result that should be discussed with an experienced medical provider.

Should I Handle My Disc Herniation Car Accident Claim Alone?

It is best to contact a qualified and experienced Saint Petersburg personal injury attorney that is going to evaluate your claim and maximize your recovery. As you read above, these herniation disc injuries can be incredibly serious and can sometimes have a lifelong effect. It is important that you have someone on your side that is going to fight for every last dollar of compensation so you have monies to cover the treatment of the herniation and to compensate you for any pain and suffering and future medical expenses.

Experienced Car Accident Attorney

I understand that the process after getting into a car accident can be difficult and stressful. You probably have a lot of questions and very few answers. Allow me to be there for you every step of the way. I offer a FREE no-obligation consultation and will review your accident claim with you personally at one of the office locations in Tampa, Zephyrhills, or Saint Petersburg. Cannot make it to me? I will come to wherever is convenient to you at NO charge. You deserve to be compensated and I want to get justice for you!

Contact Saint Petersburg Car Accident Attorney Kevin L. Sullivan II TODAY at (813) 598-4868 for a FREE no-obligation consultation. I look forward to assisting you with your claim!