Herniated Disc Injury Accidents

Herniated discs constitute a serious medical condition in which the spinal discs become injured and protrude out of the spinal column, resulting in a pinched nerve. Several terms are used to describe herniated discs, including pinched nerves, bulging discs, sciatica, and slipped discs.

A herniated disc causes pains throughout the body, often described as shooting pains up and down the legs or through the torso. Because a herniated disc is often challenging to detect, it is essential to undergo a thorough medical examination after an accident or injury. Pain from a herniated disc may not be apparent; injury victims should monitor their bodies for any developments and should not hesitate to determine if a herniated disc may be the root cause of their symptoms.

Spinal discs are round cushions that lie in between the vertebrae of the spinal column. These discs basically act like shock absorbers between the vertebrae, cushioning them when we contort our bodies in everyday life. These discs have an external shell and a liquid substance in the middle. The metaphor we often use with juries in personal injury cases is that the discs are like jelly donuts. If a disc is injured due to trauma in an auto accident, the “jelly” may leak out of the disc. If the disc’s inner core extrudes back into the spinal canal, it may impact a nerve root. The weak spot in a disc is directly under the nerve root, and a herniated disc can put tremendous pressure on the nerve, which can cause pain to radiate throughout the person’s body.

Where the pain radiates in the body depends on where the disc herniation occurs. When a patient has a symptomatic herniated disc, the pain is not in the disc area; instead, the disc herniation is pinching a nerve in the spine that causes ‘radicular’ pain. This radicular pain is typically described as a pain that shoots through the body, usually to one area in particular, since each nerve in the spine is connected to a specific area of the body. This pain can be leg pain if the herniation is in the lumbar (back), or arm pain from a cervical (neck) herniated disc.

A herniated disc is rarely diagnosed in the emergency room after an auto accident. This is because the disc is invisible on an x-ray. Accordingly, a patient typically needs a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test so that a physician can pick up a disc herniation. A discography, myelography, or electromyography are also used to diagnose herniated discs. It is worth noting that the experts agree that these diagnostic tests cannot diagnose the injury victim’s pain. There is no clear-cut correlation between the degree of herniation and the patient’s pain symptoms because so many other variables are involved.

You need an attorney well-versed in herniated disc injury accidents who will get you the right medical personnel to get you the care you need and a settlement commensurate with your injury today and the consequences tomorrow.

FOCUSING ON COMPENSATION

Arthur Liberty has the experience and knowledge needed when encountering any herniated disc injury accidents. With over three decades of experience, Arthur Liberty has the resources and is the dedicated Santa Monica herniated disc injury lawyer you need to follow through with your claim.

Arthur Liberty will thoroughly investigate the facts of the accident or incident in order to determine the legal strategy to take in your particular situation. During your initial consultation, he will thoroughly discuss your case, including potential sources of information not readily apparent, including potential witnesses, video and audio recordings, which must be acquired quickly before they are recorded over, law enforcement reports, and investigation whose initial conclusions can be altered if quickly dealt with early on. Arthur Liberty will try to answer all of your questions. He is committed to providing you with personal attention throughout your claim and will pursue every possible means of compensation on your behalf. Whether you have medical costs, lost wages, emotional pain and suffering, his efforts will be towards maximizing your potential settlement.

It is never easy to get through a difficult situation where you suffer a herniated disc injury. Arthur Liberty will strive to provide caring and compassionate representation.  His goal is simple: resolve your claim fairly, effortlessly, and as quickly as possible.  If your case requires that a lawsuit be pursued, rest assured that as an experienced and successful attorneys, Arthur Liberty will still have the same goal.

Contact Arthur Liberty to discuss your herniated disc injury claim.