Herniated Disc Injuries

Herniated discs are a common but often debilitating injury that can result from various types of trauma or strain. These injuries can drastically affect a person’s quality of life with severe pain, reduced mobility, and other major health challenges.

Herniated discs are frequently seen in certain types of accidents, including vehicle crashes, slips and falls, workplace accidents, and any incident that involves a sudden impact on the body or intense physical strain.

For residents of New York City, it’s important to know the nature of herniated discs, their symptoms, and possible treatment options so that these injuries can be managed effectively. This knowledge can also help when it comes time to get legal help if the injury was caused by someone else’s reckless behavior.

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What Is a Herniated Disc?

Also called a slipped or ruptured disc, a herniated disc happens when the soft interior of a spinal disc presses through a break in the hard outer layer. The spine consists of several vertebrae, which are cushioned by discs that absorb shock, facilitate movement, and protect the bones.

When one of these discs herniates, the inner substance presses on the nearby nerves, which can cause significant pain, weakness, or numbness. Several situations can lead to a herniated disc, especially in circumstances that involve trauma or prolonged strain.

Some common causes include:

Vehicle Accidents: Sudden jolts from car crashes can make the spine compress or twist and put immense pressure on the discs.
Slips and Falls: Falling unexpectedly can result in blunt-force trauma to the spine.
Heavy Lifting: People who regularly lift heavy objects, particularly without proper lifting technique, can be at a higher risk of disc injuries.
Repetitive Strain: Jobs or activities that involve repetitive motion, such as improper posture, can increase the chances of disc herniation.
Degenerative Disc Disease: Aging or wear and tear on the spine can weaken the discs and make them more prone to herniation, even with minor movements.

Herniated discs can lead to long-term health complications if they’re not treated properly. The impact often extends beyond the immediate pain, resulting in issues with the person’s ability to work, participate in daily activities, and maintain their overall quality of life.

What Are the Symptoms of a Herniated Disc?

Symptoms of a herniated disc can vary depending on where it’s located and what nerves are affected. Some people experience only mild symptoms, but others suffer intense pain and have difficulty with their mobility.

Common symptoms include:

Persistent or sharp pain in the lower or upper back
Sciatica, or shooting pain that radiates down the legs
Numbness or tingling from a pinched nerve, which can be in the arms or legs
Muscle weakness due to compression of nerves, making it hard to lift or hold objects
Difficulty with basic movements, such as struggling with standing, sitting, or walking for any amount of time without pain

Symptoms tend to worsen over time if they’re ignored, so prompt medical evaluation and treatment are critical to manage the pain and avoid further injury.

What Are the Potential Treatment Options For Disc Injuries?

Treatment for herniated discs typically involves both surgical and non-surgical options, though the exact plan depends on the severity of the injury. A doctor will usually start with conservative treatments and recommend surgery only when nothing else relieves symptoms.

In many cases, treatment tends to include:

Rest and limited activity for mild cases to avoid aggravating symptoms
Physical therapy to strengthen the back muscles and improve flexibility
Anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, or pain relievers
Epidural injection to reduce inflammation for temporary relief
Surgery for severe cases to remove or repair the damaged disc, which could involve microdiscectomy, laminectomy, or spinal fusion

Prompt treatment can improve your outcome and reduce the potential future impact of a herniated disc. However, medical costs and recovery time can be extensive, so it’s important to also explore your legal options if someone else’s negligent behavior caused your injury.

What Are Your Legal Options After Suffering a Herniated Disc?

In New York City, anyone who has suffered a herniated disc in an accident caused by someone else may be able to collect compensation. Regardless of the exact circumstances, victims may have a right to pursue damages for medical bills and lost wages — both current and future. You may also be able to seek compensation for pain and suffering and other related expenses.

To prove a personal injury claim for a herniated disc, the injured party has to be able to show that the responsible person acted in a negligent way.

Some examples of this include:

Another driver caused a car crash through their reckless or careless behavior on the road
A property owner or manager didn’t keep the premises safe for visitors
A manufacturer or distributor sold a defective product, and someone got hurt using the product as it was meant to be used

The types of damages that can be recovered depend on the details of the situation that caused the injury.

However, many victims are able to collect payment for:

Past and future medical bills
Lost income due to the inability to work
Physical pain and emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Permanent or long-term disability

The statute of limitations in New York for personal injury cases is typically three years from the day the accident happened (with some exceptions). It’s important to act quickly, though, so that you don’t miss a deadline and lose the chance to recover compensation. A skilled attorney can help you through the entire process and build a strong case on your behalf.

Protecting Your Rights

If you’ve suffered a herniated disc in New York City and someone else was responsible, there are certain steps you can take to help strengthen your case and protect your rights.

In general, you’ll want to make sure you do the following:

Seek medical care promptly and document the injury with your healthcare provider
Take pictures and videos of the scene of the accident, if possible
Collect witness statements from anyone who saw the accident happen
Keep detailed records of all treatments, medical bills, and prescriptions

Once you have all of the information together, contact a lawyer who has experience with spinal cord injury and herniated disc cases. They can help you understand your rights and support you through the legal process.

Reclaim Your Life After a Herniated Disc – Contact an NYC Personal Injury Lawyer For Legal Assistance

A herniated disc may disrupt your life, but it doesn’t have to define it. At the Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers, we have a long track record of successfully obtaining compensation for injured victims throughout New York. Our team can fight to get you the compensation you deserve while you focus your energies on your recovery.

Contact our New York City personal injury lawyers to schedule a free consultation at 212 564 2800 and learn how we can protect your future.