A slipped disc (also known as a herniated disc) causes serious pain for any person. The spine has several nerves, so damaging a vertebra could result in sharp and overwhelming pain in any part of the body.
Those who get into a car accident can easily damage their spine, leading to severe neck and back pain, among other consequences. Thankfully, it's possible to get money to cover these damages through herniated disc settlements.
Regarding the average settlement for slipped disc, Ohio follows unique laws everyone should be aware of. Those interested in knowing more can find all the information they need below. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys can also advise on an average settlement for traumatic brain injury Ohio.
Discovering Herniated Discs | What Do They Mean?
Simply put, a herniated disc case happens when a disc's inner nucleus breaks out of the annulus, which is meant to protect the disc's core. This causes the nucleus to leak into the spinal canal, which can cause unbearable pain, inflammation, and more.
A herniated disc injury can cause trauma to the person's body, but even though they're mostly triggered because of accidents, they can also happen because of old age.
Usually, herniated discs often happen in the lower back, leading to a lack of mobility, pain, and/or numbness. In some cases, regular treatment and physical therapy can help ease the pain. Other scenarios, however, may require surgery.
Common Symptoms from Herniated Disc Injuries
People with disc herniation can experience many symptoms, including:
- Tingling or numbness throughout the body
- Weakness in the damaged area
- Pain in the arms, shoulders, legs, buttocks, or thighs
- Lower back pain
- Difficulty to balance or coordinate the body while moving
- Difficulty when holding an item
A person with a herniated disc won't necessarily feel all these symptoms. Some don't even feel anything for a while. However, time will worsen the injuries, so eventually, any action can trigger the pain.
What's the Difference Between Herniated Disc and Bulging Disc Injuries?
Herniated and bulging discs refer to different injuries.
A herniated disc happens when a crack causes the nucleus to protrude out of the disc, causing pain. Bulging discs, on the other hand, happen when the outer shell becomes weaker over time, which makes the disc either flatten or bulge to one side of the spinal canal.
Both are severe enough to cause long-lasting consequences, although herniated discs tend to cause more immediate pain.
Are Herniated Disc Cases Dangerous?
In most cases, a herniated disc can cause many complications for someone. If the victim treats their herniated disc injury right away, they may get away with only physical therapy and regular injections.
Leaving the injury untreated, however, can cause a lack of mobility later. The injury's inflammation will get worse over time, which will cause more pressure to surrounding nerves and tissues.
Not only will this cause chronic pain, but it will also lead to threatening consequences like permanent weakness or paralysis.
At first, a herniated disc injury may only cause mild discomfort. In these cases, the best thing to do is seek medical help immediately. This will also help in getting less medical bills for the treatment.
The longer someone waits to treat their injuries, the more they will likely spend later.
How Much Is a Herniated Disc Settlement Worth?
The settlement amount for herniated disc injuries varies depending on different factors, particularly how affected the accident victim is by them.
Talking to a professional attorney can help victims determine how much their car accident settlement is worth. In Ohio, the average settlement for these injuries is around $350,000. Victims could earn more or less than that, depending on how severe the injuries are.
Other factors that affect a person's settlement include:
- How many herniated discs the victim has
- Where the herniated discs are located
- How large the herniated discs are
- How old the herniated disc injury is
- The treatment needed for the injury
- How recovered the victim is from their injury
- How the herniated discs have affected the victim's life
Those with pre-existing disc injuries may have a harder time negotiating a reasonable settlement. The other party's insurance company may try to use that against the plaintiff to reduce their liability.
However, victims have the right to recover compensation even if they have a pre-existing condition. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney is the best way to ensure the victim gets enough money to cover their damages, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- And more
How to Get Started with a Personal Injury Claim
Dealing with the recovery process and legal proceedings can be overwhelming for anyone. Severe cases involving herniated disc/spinal cord injuries aren't easy to navigate, which is why it's crucial to get a lawyer's help.
What should victims do after an accident? It depends on whether they can move or not. If the victim can move, they should get everyone else involved to safety. Once everyone's in a safe place, the victim can move on and document their injuries and property damage through photos and videos. This will be useful later. They should also contact the police to get a report of the accident.
It's crucial to talk to potential witnesses and the at-fault party, as well as get their contact information. Some people may try to avoid liability by arguing the victim was the one at fault, and here's where the lawyer comes in.
The best personal injury lawyers in Toledo are committed to finding the truth. If the victim is positive someone else caused their injuries, the legal expert will use all the evidence available and skills to prove it. This will ensure maximum compensation.
Bottom Line - The Importance of Calling a Lawyer
Trying to settle without calling a lawyer isn't always a great idea. Even if the at-fault party tries to settle right away, the victim should review the offer with an attorney. They can also share insight on an average settlement for back injury Ohio.
Sometimes, the victim could earn much more than what they're being offered. It's also important to think about how much the injuries can worsen over time. Once the victim settles, they won't be able to sue the other person later.
At Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, there's a team committed to getting justice for victims. Anyone unsure of how to navigate their case can seek a free consultation today.