A herniated disc, also called slipped disc or prolapsed disc, occurs when the soft tissue between discs spills out and presses on nerves, often causing pain to sufferers. According to the Mayo Clinic, a slipped disc typically occurs in the lower back but can potentially present anywhere on the spine. While slipped discs do not always cause symptoms, they can be excruciatingly painful and potentially cause numbness and weakness in arms and legs.
If you were recently involved in a car accident and subsequently developed back pain or numbness in your arms and legs, you may have one or several herniated discs. Your best course of action is to seek medical advice immediately. You should also consult with a Gainesville herniated disc caused by a car accident lawyer if the accident was the other driver’s fault. You could have legal recourse and potentially receive compensation for your medical bills and other financial losses.
Let us determine your legal options today. Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a free consultation now at 1-800-747-3733.
Herniated Discs
There can be many causes for herniated discs, such as twisting while lifting an object or a sports injury. Slipped discs can also occur naturally as we age. Weak muscles, being overweight, and living a sedentary lifestyle can all contribute to developing herniated discs.
Symptoms of Herniated Discs
Symptoms of herniated discs can differ from one person to another and will vary depending on which nerves the slipped disc is pressing on. Some general symptoms can include:
- Muscle weakness
- Pain and numbness on one side of the body
- Pain and numbness in arms and/or legs
- Pain that gets worse with movement
- Pain that gets worse with standing or sitting for long periods
Complications with Herniated Discs
Some herniated discs heal with time and without any medical interventions. However, this is not always the case. Untreated or severe herniated discs can cause permanent nerve damage. In some cases, a herniated disc can cause incontinence. Another complication with herniated discs is the so-called “saddle anesthesia,” a condition where the patient loses sensation in their inner thighs and buttocks.
Complications can also happen with herniated disc surgery, which is required in some cases. Herniated disc surgery, as well as carrying the usual risks with any surgery, can cause:
- Nerve injury
- Permanent nerve damage
- Dual tear causing a leak of spinal fluid
- Re-herniation despite surgery
- Further disc degeneration
A herniated disc can be a serious injury potentially requiring expensive surgeries and follow-up treatments, as well as extended time off work. If you or a loved one suffered a slipped disc in a car accident due to a reckless or careless driver, they should pay for your damages and not you. A Gainesville herniated disc caused by a car accident lawyer can help you hold the at-fault driver responsible. Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for advice at 1-800-747-3733.
Car Accidents Can Cause Herniated Discs
It is not uncommon for car accidents to cause herniated discs as well as other painful and potentially life-altering injuries. Unfortunately, herniated discs can be tough to diagnose right after a car accident. An emergency physician may not recognize that a car accident victim suffers from the condition as regular x-rays do not show a herniated disc. A patient may return home from a medical facility without knowing why they have back pain. It is only when the pain persists or other symptoms appear, such as numbness in the arms and legs, that they realize something is very wrong.
If you have unexplained back pain after a car accident, consider going back to the doctor for additional imaging tests such as an MRI and potential other diagnostic tests. Do not wait too long with seeking a second medical opinion, especially if you intend to hold an at-fault driver to account for your injuries and suffering. Insurance companies will try to argue that your subsequently diagnosed injuries may not be caused by the accident.
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
If someone else caused your physical injuries, financial damages, and suffering, you can potentially hold them to account and recover compensation. Types of compensation you could potentially receive, among others, can include economic damages such as:
- Past, present, and future medical expenses.
- Costs for medical devices and mobility aids.
- Loss of wages and future loss of wages.
- Repair or replacement of your car.
- A home help or health aide.
- Transport costs.
If you suffered serious and debilitating injuries, it is likely that you also experienced a great deal of physical and emotional suffering. Your entire life may have changed and perhaps you can no longer partake in activities you enjoyed before the accident. In this case, you could be entitled to various non-economic damages. Compensation will vary according to the extent of your injuries; however, some examples of non-economic damages include:
- Physical pain and anguish
- Emotional suffering
- Permanent disability
- Loss of life enjoyment
Consider that the State of Florida sets timelines for personal injury lawsuits, and the time starts ticking down on the day of your injury.
The sooner you act, the sooner your Gainesville herniated disc caused by a car accident lawyer can start working for you, initiate legal action, and collect the necessary evidence to prove your case. Other ways in which your lawyer can work for you include:
- Filing the necessary paperwork for your claim
- Proving negligence of the at-fault party
- Calculating your damages adequately
- Gathering evidence for your damages
- Negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance
- Representing you in court
If you suffer from a debilitating and painful herniated disc after a car accident, you should seek legal advice and guidance as soon as possible. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for a free, no-obligation review of your car accident claim. Reach us at 1-800-747-3733.
We Can Help.
