A herniated disc is one of the more common serious injuries to occur following an auto accident. It is a potentially life changing injury that may require high risk spinal surgery. It is a more serious injury than ordinary whiplash and must be treated as such by your attorney.
What is a Disc Herniation?
Each of us has a small gel like cushion (the disc) between each vertebrae in our spinal column. This disc is what allows us to bend, twist, and turn our spine without pain. In a serious auto accident, the shock to the spine can cause this disc to rupture. This causes a great deal of pain for two reasons. First, you no longer have the necessary cushion to protect the vertebrae from “rubbing” against each other. Second, the herniated disc can move inside the spinal column and rub against spinal nerves causing a great deal of pain not only to the back, but radiating into the arms and legs. If your pain extends away from your back and into your limbs, your doctor will likely order an MRI to confirm the existence of a herniated disc.
The Insurance Company Will Almost Always Deny These Claims
If you have suffered a bulging disc (a disc injury that has not completely ruptured) or a herniated disc, you need to have an experienced personal injury attorney who understands how insurance companies think and who is willing to file a lawsuit to ensure you receive fair compensation. This is because insurance companies frequently deny that a herniated disc is related to an auto accident. Here’s why…
The vertebral discs, like every other part of our body, tends to break down as we age. People as young as 30 can already show signs of disc deterioration and a high percentage of the population already have bulging discs. Men and women who are athletic or work in physical occupations are very likely to show some evidence of disc damage even before an auto accident. For this reason, insurance companies will always argue that the disc injury was pre-existing and unrelated to the auto accident.
Don’t Let the Insurance Companies Ignore Your Disc Herniation
Most auto accidents result in damage to the soft tissue of the neck and back, a so-called whiplash injury. A disc herniation is not the same as whiplash and your settlement amount should not be the same as a whiplash victim, either. As a former insurance adjuster, I know how the insurance companies approach spinal injury claims, and I will use that knowledge to obtain the best possible result for you.
If you have suffered a spinal injury following an auto accident, contact our office right away for a free consultation. Hire an attorney who understands that these claims are serious and require aggressive representation. There is no fee unless we are successful.