If you suffered a herniated disk injury in an accident, you know how painful and disruptive it can be. The pain, limited mobility, and ongoing medical treatments can take a severe toll on your daily life and finances. Holding whoever caused your injury accountable and recovering fair compensation can be challenging when you’re dealing with a severe injury, but working with an experienced personal injury lawyer can make it easier to focus on healing.

At the Davis Law Center, we understand the challenges you’re dealing with. We’ve served Michigan residents for over 30 years and have secured significant compensation for numerous clients. Whether your injury happened in a car accident, a slip-and-fall, or a workplace incident, we can manage the claims process and pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.

What Is a Herniated Disk?

Your spinal cord runs from your neck down your back and is protected by bones called vertebrae. Between your vertebrae are soft, cushion-like disks that act as shock absorbers. These disks keep your spine flexible and help you move comfortably.

A herniated disk injury happens when one of these disks becomes damaged. The soft inner part of the disk can push through a tear in the tougher outer layer, causing pain and other problems. This happens naturally as we age but can also result from an accidental injury or repetitive movement.

There are three main types of herniated disk injuries:

  • Disk Extrusion – This occurs when the disk’s inner gel-like substance pushes out through a tear in the outer layer but stays within the disk’s outer wall. It can press on nearby nerves, causing pain, tingling, or numbness.
  • Protruded Disk – Also known as a bulging disk, this injury happens when the disk bulges out, but the outer layer remains intact. A bulging disk doesn’t always cause pain, but it can if it presses on nerves.
  • Disk Sequestration – This is the most severe type of herniated disk injury and occurs when the inner material breaks through the outer layer and separates from the main part of the disk. The loose fragment can move into the spinal canal, pressing on nerves and causing intense pain and other symptoms.

Herniated disk injuries most often occur in the lumbar spine (the lower back), though they can also occur in the cervical spine near the neck. Common symptoms of herniated disk injuries include:

  • Back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Pain radiating down the arms or legs
  • Tingling or numbness in the arms or legs
  • Muscle weakness
  • Difficulty standing or sitting for long periods
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control
  • Decreased reflexes
  • Muscle spasms

Common Accidents Leading to Herniated Disk Injuries

Herniated disk injuries often result from accidents that put sudden or intense pressure on the spine. Here are some common types of accidents that can lead to herniated disk injuries:

  • Car Accidents – The force of a car crash can cause the spine to jerk suddenly, leading to a herniated disk. Whiplash, commonly associated with rear-end collisions, can also result in disk damage.
  • Slip-and-Fall Accidents – Falling hard on your back or twisting your spine awkwardly during a slip-and-fall can put intense pressure on your spine, causing a herniated disk.
  • Workplace Accidents Jobs that involve heavy lifting, repetitive motions, or prolonged sitting can increase the risk of herniated disks. Improper lifting techniques or accidents involving machinery can also cause these injuries.
  • Sports Injuries – High-impact sports like football, hockey, or gymnastics can lead to spinal injuries, including herniated disks. Sudden twists, falls, or direct blows to the back while participating in these sports can damage the spinal disks.
  • Bicycle and Motorcycle Accidents – Collisions or falls from bikes or motorcycles can result in severe impacts to the spine, leading to herniated disk injuries.

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of a Herniated Disk Injury

A herniated disk can have significant effects on your health and the rest of your life. These effects may play out over both the short term and long term. Some examples of short-term effects include:

  • Pain and Discomfort – Intense pain in the back, neck, or limbs is common after herniated disk injuries, making it hard to move or perform daily activities.
  • Numbness and Tingling – People with herniated disk injuries may experience numbness or a tingling sensation in parts of their bodies, often in the arms or legs.
  • Muscle Weakness – A herniated disk injury can weaken muscles in the affected area, making it difficult to lift objects or maintain balance.
  • Limited Mobility – Pain and stiffness from a herniated disk injury can restrict people’s ability to move freely, affecting their ability to work or perform everyday activities.

The long-term effects of a herniated disk injury can include:

  • Chronic Pain – If not appropriately treated, a herniated disk can lead to ongoing, chronic pain that may require long-term management.
  • Nerve Damage – Prolonged pressure on nerves can cause permanent nerve damage, leading to lasting numbness or weakness.
  • Reduced Quality of Life – Persistent pain and limited mobility can impact people’s ability to work, participate in hobbies, and maintain social connections.
  • Mental Health Issues – Chronic pain and reduced mobility can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.

Potential Compensation for a Herniated Disk Injury

A herniated disk injury can affect many aspects of your life, and the impact may last for several months or years. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you seek compensation for your losses related to the injury, including money for:

How Our Farmington Hills Herniated Disk Injury Lawyer Can Help You

Your job after sustaining a herniated disk injury is to rest and heal. The attorneys at the Davis Law Center can handle the work of a personal injury claim for you. We’ll gather your medical records and other evidence, talk to doctors and other experts about your case, file an insurance claim, initiate negotiations with the insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. We’ll take on the legal burden so you have one less thing to worry about.

The sooner you speak to a lawyer about your case, the greater your chance of recovering fair compensation for a herniated disk injury. Call the Davis Law Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan, today for a free consultation.

Davis Law Center: your trusted partner for personal injury accident cases. Serving Detroit, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Macon County, Wayne County, Oakland County, and all of Michigan.