Herniated Discs

A herniated disc may happen in a variety of accidents, from a slip and fall to a car crash. They may also be difficult to heal fully and are a major source of pain that may require missed work and changes in a person’s life. When these injuries are due to the negligence of another party, that culpable person or entity should bear the cost of the victim’s recovery. The Miami spinal cord injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon represent victims in South Florida who have suffered herniated discs, as well as other back and spinal cord injuries, in any necessary legal actions.

The leading cause of disability is lower back pain, with 90 percent of all back injuries affecting that area. Almost 40 percent of middle-aged individuals suffer from disc injuries. A herniated disc injury results when a disc’s inner cartilage tears through its outer layer, causing the disc to put pressure on nerves or vertebrae in the spinal cord. These kinds of compressions may have various symptoms, including:

• Pain that radiates through an arm or leg
• Swelling
• Tingling or numbness in arms, hands, or legs
• Kidney issues
• Paralysis

Herniated discs may be caused by a slip-and-fall accident, a motorcycle collision, a car or truck crash, or another traumatic event. Unfortunately, they may be hard to diagnose immediately after an accident, since they are not visible via x-rays, and a CT scan or MRI is usually necessary for detection. Making sure that a doctor knows about any symptoms or pain that you are feeling following a fall or other trauma is important in ensuring that your injuries are treated promptly and thoroughly.

Rehabilitation and other costs associated with herniated disc injuries may become significant, and holding accountable an individual or entity that was responsible for the harm may help in alleviating the burden on a victim. Many motor vehicle collisions, for example, are results of a driver’s negligent actions. Negligence occurs when someone breaches their duty to act as a reasonable person would act in the same or similar circumstances. This breach must also be shown to have been a proximate cause of a herniated disc injury.

Causation in these types of cases may be a difficult element to prove, since a defendant may argue that a herniated disc was a pre-existing injury or the result of a degenerative disease, and thus it was not caused by the accident. Having a legal advocate by your side may be vital to success, since medical testimony and specialized evidence may be necessary to show that a herniated disc was a result of another person’s negligent actions, rather than previously sustained. Once liability is proven, a victim may be compensated for medical bills, time away from work, and loss of earning capacity when the injury has affected their ability to hold a job. Less tangible losses like pain and suffering also may be available.

Spinal cord injuries may have debilitating results, with victims unable to work or enjoy things that they used to do, sometimes permanently. The Miami spinal cord injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon are dedicated to making sure that defendants who caused these injuries are held responsible for their actions. Our firm is there at every step of the process, from initial investigations to gathering evidence, negotiating settlements, and pursuing litigation if necessary. We represent people who need a car accident or guidance in other personal injury claims throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, including in Miami and West Palm Beach. Call 877.499.4878 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation about your legal options.