Herniated disc cases are one of the most painful types of personal injury cases that we frequently deal with in Tampa and the rest of Florida. A herniated disc is a common result of a road traffic accident, but can also happen result from other accidents involving negligence, such as slip and fall accidents.
Despite the frequency of this kind of injury, it is often challenged, especially by car insurance companies. This is because it is impossible to prove when a herniated disc occurred, and insurance companies will have experienced lawyers looking to devalue your claim. They could try to argue that your injuries were not a result of the accident.
That is just one of the reasons why you could benefit from an experienced Tampa personal injury attorney. At The Law Place, we have been very successful in fighting for people’s rights to compensation following herniated disc injuries. Neck and back injuries can lead to serious and life-altering complications, and while no amount of money can make up for your suffering, the hope is that it will make your life a little easier.
We have over 75 years of combined experience in Florida law. So, contact us today for a no-obligation, free consultation on (813) 544-4444.
What Is a Disc Herniation Injury?
Your spine is formed by 23 bones called vertebrae. Each vertebra is cushioned by a curved disc that acts as a shock absorber. This protects the spine and the nerves that travel through the spinal column, allowing you to twist, bend, and bounce without sustaining an injury.
Each disc has a tough exterior that contains a loose network of fibers in a gel-like substance called mucoprotein. When a disc herniation occurs, it is because the tough exterior has begun to protrude or tear, this can lead to the gel leaking out. As the disc protrudes, it pushes into the spinal cord or nerve root, which can cause severe pain. Pressure on the spine can lead to radiculopathy, which causes severe pain and numbness that can radiate down the lower back, legs, or arms.
Neck and back injuries can be debilitating and can lead to a long road to recovery. If you have been in an accident that wasn’t your fault and are left with herniated discs or any other kind of debilitating injury, you need help from a Tampa personal injury lawyer. At The Law Place, we will fight by your side every step of the way to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free case review in Tampa, FL.
How Can a Car Accident in Tampa Cause a Herniated Disc?
When people are young and healthy, the gel inside their spinal discs is supple, soft, and comprised of a lot of water, which is great for absorbing impact. However, as you age, the discs begin to deteriorate at dry out. The normal wear and tear of life can also lead to bone spurs forming. Because of this natural deterioration, it can be difficult to prove from scans whether a car accident was the true culprit of your injuries.
Spinal degeneration makes you more susceptible to neck and back injury. Therefore, during a car accident where your body is whipped back and forth with force, an aged disc will be more likely to tear or herniate.
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How Can Defense Doctors Cast Doubt on Whether the Car Accident Caused a Herniated Disc?
Insurance companies have been known to hire defense doctors in Tampa, whose job it is to argue that degeneration alone is the cause of a herniated disc. MRI’s are perfect for showing degeneration, but it is almost impossible to see when a disc herniation occurred.
A lawyer will help you to gather the right evidence to prove that your injuries have worsened since the accident. To do this, they will take testimonies from yourself and your friends and family, illustrating how your pain has become more severe.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
How Can Your Personal Injury Lawyer Prove That the Car Accident Caused Your Injury?
Because of the cunningness of insurance companies and defense doctors, it could be difficult for an inexperienced Tampa personal injury attorney to win your case and claim for the true amount of compensation that you deserve. However, at The Law Placed, we have found that the right evidence and testimony, including damage to the vehicles involved, past medical history, records of lost wages, and testimony from families, backed by an honest approach, will ensure that juries see through the deception.
To win your case, your injury lawyer will need to prove that:
- You were owed a duty of care – Someone owed you a duty to take reasonable steps to keep you safe. In the event of a car accident, this is easy to prove because all motorists have a duty of care to those around them.
- The duty of care was breached – Secondly, we will prove that your duty of care was breached; in other words, the defendant did not act as a reasonable person would have. In the event of a car crash, this can be proved if the other party did not follow the rules of the road.
- That breach caused your injuries – Next, we will show how their actions caused your injury; this could be difficult to prove in disc herniation injury cases. However, with the right representation, you stand a good fighting chance.
Your injuries resulted in damages – Finally, you need to prove that your injuries led to your damages. For some damages such as medical bills and lost wages, this is easy. However, a good personal injury lawyer will also fight for compensation for your pain and suffering, which includes emotional anguish and loss of enjoyment.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Pre-Existing Neck and Back Injuries
If you have a pre-existing back injury, then your herniated disc case will become more difficult to prove. If you have a pre-existing back injury, then you need a law firm on your side who has experience with similar cases. At The Law Place, we have dealt with similar cases and will be prepared to take on insurance companies and their doctors.
We hope to prove that a proportion of your injuries was caused by the car accident. Once that determination is made, you should be awarded damages to the extent that the accident was at fault for your injuries. For this to be successful, we will gather evidence to show how your pain has increased since the accident. This can be done with a daily journal, medical records, and testimonies from family and friends.
How Much Is a Herniated Disc Injury Case Worth in Sarasota?
It is impossible to say what your individual herniated back injury case could be worth because every situation is unique. However, when you call The Law Place for your free case review, we will make a quick assessment and tell you what we think your case could be worth. However, we will fight for your right to the following kinds of compensation:
- Pain and suffering.
- Costs for help around the house.
- Follow-up care.
- Transport to and from appointments.
- Emergency medical bills.
- Lost work.
- Lost earning capacity.
- Expenditures for personal assistance devices such as a wheelchair or handrail.
- Mental anguish.
- Medical bills for long-term care, such as nursing or rehabilitative care.
The Law Place
If you have suffered a disc herniation in Tampa, you need a law firm behind you that is dedicated to getting you the compensation you deserve. In fact, studies show that having representation not only increases your chance of obtaining compensation, but you are also more likely to revive a higher settlement amount.
Don’t face insurance companies and defense doctors alone. Contact The Law Place today, and we will take over the investigation so that you can focus on your recovery.
We offer a free consultation so that you can make a decision only when you have all the facts. What are you waiting for? Contact us today on (813) 544-4444.
