Herniated Disc

Herniated discs are injuries to the spine that can cause intense pain. Spinal discs are liquid filled cushions set between the vertebra in your spine that absorbs shock as you move. Physical trauma can cause a disc to shift or rupture (herniate).  When this happens, it puts pressure on nerves in the spinal column. Unfortunately, diagnosis of a herniated disc can be tricky.

Causes and Diagnosis

Here, at the Law Offices of L. Clayton Burgess, we have experience helping those with herniated discs. Most commonly, when we see this injury, it is caused by a car accident. However, herniated discs can also be the result of a slip and fall or occupational injury.

After a car accident, most people don’t realize that they have a herniated disc. The pain you feel because of a herniated disc may not be located in the back. Depending on the disc that has been impacted, the pain can radiate to other parts of the body. Numbness is common when the lower back is damaged, running down the buttocks through the back of the thigh and into the foot. Radiating pain can be located on the arm, leg, or other places when a nerve is pinched in a particular way. Sometimes, people feel pain shooting through the body to one specific place.

Initially, a doctor will give a patient a physical exam to diagnose a herniated disc. The exam usually includes observation of the patient bending and stretching. X-rays are also used to rule out problems such as broken bones or infections. MRI provides the most accurate diagnosis. It can show where the herniated is and how it is impacting the spinal column.

Physically stressful job duties can lead to a herniated disc. Vigorous, repetitive bending, twisting, and lifting can place a lot of pressure on a disc. Over time, if enough pressure is put on a disc it will slip or rupture. Cases like these result in a loss of earning capacity or permanent disability. Fortunately, workplace accidents are covered by the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Act. Therefore, it is important to enlist the help of a personal injury attorney.

Local Personal Injury Attorney

If you suspect that you have herniated disc due to work or an accident, you may have legal grounds to seek compensation. Our personal injury attorneys and staff are committed to helping clients receive the medical and financial help they need.  Contact our offices today to get started!