Herniated Disc

If you have suffered a herniated disc injury in a Charlotte car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Herniated disc injuries may not seem significant right after the injury occurs. However, over time, herniated discs can cause increased pain and possible immobility. A herniated disc occurs when a fragment of a spinal disc becomes pushed out into the spinal canal through a tear or opening in the annulus. The part of the disc that has slipped out can press on spinal nerves and can often produce severe pain, sometimes to the point of debilitating the person’s ability to comfortably move around or go to work. One car accident has the potential to cause several herniated discs.

If you have suffered from a herniated disc, you might be entitled to compensation. Under North Carolina law, injured parties have a right to sue the individual whose negligence caused their injuries. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC we understand how difficult dealing with herniated discs can become. While you may have only noticed slight discomfort in your back after your car accident, you may now suffer from more severe symptoms. Our skilled attorneys can help you receive a comprehensive medical examination in order to determine the extent of your injuries and review the expense of a treatment plan. Contact our Charlotte personal injury law firm today to discuss how we can help you fight for your right to compensation.

Every individual who suffers a herniated disc injury will have a unique set of symptoms. Sometimes, a herniated disc causes no symptoms at all. In severe cases, in which the herniated disc presses on the nerve, the individual may suffer severe pain, weakness, or numbness in the affected area. In cases of severe pain, an individual may be unable to conduct his or her typical daily functions or keep employment. The pain resulting from herniated discs can also drastically decrease someone’s quality of life.

Lower back sciatica or radiculopathy frequently result from a herniated disc that occurs in the lower back or lumbar area. The herniated disc puts pressure on one nerve or many nerves along the sciatic nerve. Pressure can cause tingling, numbness, burning, and pain that radiates from the buttock into the leg and occasionally into the foot. Typically, only one side is affected. Many sciatica sufferers describe the pain as feeling like an electric shock or a sharp, intense pain. Typically people that suffer from sciatica feel more pain in their legs than in their lower back, although this symptom varies depending on the location of the herniated disc.

The impact of a Charlotte car accident can easily result in neck pain caused by a herniated disc. In a car accident, the force of the collision can cause the driver or passenger’s neck to snap forward and slam back against the headrest. Overextension of the neck combined with extreme force can cause a disc to slip out into the spinal canal as a herniated disc. When a disc in the neck becomes herniated, sharp or dull neck pain could result. The herniated disc in the neck can cause all of the following symptoms:

• Inability to move the neck or turn the neck without pain
• A sharp pain between the shoulder blades or within the neck
• Radiating pain from the arm down to the fingers
• Numbness or tingling in the arm or shoulder

If you suffered a herniated disc as a result of a car accident in the Charlotte region, or anywhere else for that matter, it is important to seek legal help. In many instances, our clients do not realize the severity of their herniated disc injuries until days, or even weeks after the accident. It is wise to refrain from speaking to the at-fault driver’s insurance company until you have spoken to an attorney. Many people tell insurance companies that they are fine after an accident before fully being aware of the extent of their injuries.. The shock of the accident can send adrenaline through the body, making it difficult to feel the full extent of one’s injuries until some time has passed.

At Arnold & Smith, PLLC we can advocate on your behalf with insurance companies and help you determine the value of your herniated disc injury. Our attorneys have helped many clients in the Charlotte, North Carolina area recover compensation for a wide variety of injuries. Back and neck injuries, including herniated discs can be some of the most irritating and painful injuries one can experience. Contact our Charlotte personal injury law firm today to discuss how our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you.