Seattle Attorney for Herniated Disc Injuries
A herniated disc is a serious and very complex injury. The other driver’s insurance company may claim that the damage comes from a pre-existing condition, not from the accident. They may question the necessity of the treatment you received. Their doctors will likely testify that the herniated neck or back injury is exaggerated and that the care you received was excessive.
Helping Clients Suffering From Herniated Disc Injuries in Seattle
At the Dubin Law Group, we help even the odds in your herniated disc claim involving your back or your neck, which starts with speaking to insurance companies on your behalf. Providing them any information prior to contacting our firm can only undermine your case and minimize the compensation you are entitled to.
You need a dedicated and compassionate injury attorney with comprehensive experience in injury claims involving herniated discs. You need a seasoned advocate who treats you like a person, not a number on a case file.
Matt Dubin and his team remain at your side, employing the power and resources of a large law firm with the personal touch of a solo practitioner at a smaller law office. Simply stated, they provide the protection you need with a commitment to maximizing compensation for your personal injury claim.
Personal Experience and Insight Into Herniated Disc Claims
Matt Dubin possesses more than experience, legal and medical knowledge, and trial skills: He has also suffered from a herniated disc injury. He understands the challenges his clients face on a personal level. That insight is an invaluable asset for clients who choose the Dubin Law Group.
While you undergo medical treatment for your herniated disc injury, Seattle personal injury lawyer Matt Dubin works “behind the scenes,” attending to every detail of your legal claim. He helps make vital decisions to ensure that you are getting the best recovery possible to benefit both you and your family.
Find out more on our herniated disc FAQ section below.
Causes of Herniated Disc Injuries
At the Dubin Law Group, we treat our clients suffering from herniated discs and other serious injuries with compassion. To us, they are victims of negligent acts and need both protection from insurance companies and representation from a seasoned lawyer. They are always treated with compassion and understanding.
At our Seattle-based law firm, we fight to get the best possible on behalf of clients who have suffered a herniated disc injury in the following accidents:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
Dedicated Legal Advocacy for Residents Suffering Herniated Back Injuries in Seattle
Herniated back injuries involve the upper body forced forward and thrown back, oftentimes due to a seat belt. That torque and twisting of the spine puts extra strain on discs. The resulting pain is sometimes on one side of the body more than the other. Aching and stiffness can be combined with shooting sciatic pain down the leg to the toes. More serious injuries include nerve damage.
Damages can take two forms:
- Monetary damages involve lost income (both now and in the future), medical expenses and other financial needs that result from the herniated back injury. Those expenses can range from a special bed to housekeeping services.
- Noneconomic damages involve the impact on a victim’s life and do not have a set formula. In these claims, we have access to vital information via a database with statistics from prior settlements and verdicts to help establish the fair value of your claim.
Representing Clients Suffering Herniated Neck Injuries in Seattle
Herniated neck injuries occur when the disc is torn or strained when there is acceleration, deceleration, flexion and extension of the spine beyond the normal range of motion. The tear or strain results in bulging, slipped or herniated discs. Symptoms may include:
- Local pain in the neck
- Shooting pain in the shoulders and arms to the fingertips
- Numbness
- Electrical sensations
- Loss of functions
In addition to the physical pain, victims of herniated neck injuries also incur stress over their well-being and ability to function at home and at work. If you have been injured in an accident and are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical care.
Speaking to an insurance adjuster and attempting to handle these claims on your own ignores the complexity of this type of injury and the legal steps necessary to secure damages, and can impair your ability to make a full recovery. The sooner you get help from Washington personal injury attorney Matt Dubin, the sooner he can begin building a strong herniated neck injury claim to maximize your compensation.
Contact a Back and Neck Injury Lawyer in Seattle
To discuss your herniated disc injuries with a dedicated Seattle back injury attorney, call 425-800-8000. You can also contact us online. We answer the phones 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also visit clients at home or in hospitals as needed.
We handle all personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis, meaning you will pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Disc Herniation FAQ
When it comes to disc herniation injuries, you need the right information AND the right representation.
If your herniated disc is not the result of a traumatic event, we may not be able to help you, but if you suffered a disc herniation following a car accident or some other kind of motor vehicle accident, you have come to the right place. At the Dubin Law Group our clients love us because we really understand what they are going through. We listen to their concerns and we always return their calls promptly. We provide compassionate counsel throughout the claims and litigation process and we provide aggressive representation against the insurance companies, which are determined to pay you less than your claim is worth.
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding disc herniations and legal claims resulting from these serious and often permanent injuries. At the bottom of the page, you can request a free consultation to discuss your possible claim, as well as a free informational brochure:
- What is a herniated disc?
- What is the cause of a herniated disc?
- What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?
- How is a herniated disc diagnosed?
- How is a herniated disc treated?
- Can I make a claim for my herniated disc injury?
- How long do I have to file a lawsuit in a herniated disc case?
- Should I hire an attorney in my herniated disc case?
What is a herniated disc?
The bones that form the spine in your neck and back are cushioned by small, spongy discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. But when a disc is damaged, it can bulge or even break open. This is called a herniated disc. It can also be called a slipped or ruptured disc. When a herniated disc bulges out from between the vertebrae, the spinal nerves and spinal cord can become pinched or compressed.
What is the cause of a herniated disc?
While a herniated disc could be caused by wear and tear as you age and the disc dries out, the most common cause of disc herniation is traumatic injury to the spine. Trauma can cause tears in the outer layer of the disc allowing the gel inside the disc to be pushed out. This can cause the disc to bulge, break open, or even break into pieces.
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?
When a herniated disc irritates the adjacent nerve, it can interfere with the pathway by which signals are sent from your brain to your extremities. A herniated disc can cause pain, numbness and weakness in the affected area. A herniated disc in the lower back can cause pain and numbness in the buttock and down the leg. This is known as sciatica. Occasionally a herniated disc can result in bowel or bladder problems. These symptoms could be a sign of a serious medical emergency and you should see your doctor immediately if you have problems urinating, having bowel movements or if you have numbness around your genitals.
How is a herniated disc diagnosed?
A physician will often make a diagnosis of herniated disc based on a physical examination, but the most common basis for this diagnosis is an MRI or other imaging which shows the condition of the disc and its proximity to the affected nerve.
How is a herniated disc treated?
Physicians most commonly prefer to treat herniated discs conservatively at first and progress to more aggressive interventions only if the symptoms do not improve. Often a doctor will order rest and avoidance of aggravating activities. Sometimes this is all it will take for the symptoms to resolve, but often the symptoms persist even with rest. Doctors also usually prescribe the use of heat and cold to relax the muscles in the back and relieve muscle spasms. If the symptoms don’t improve, a doctor may order physical therapy and pain medications.
If none of these treatments provide relief, a physician can administer epidural steroid injections. These are injections of cortisone directly into the area of nerve compression. These treatments often reduce inflammation and relieve the compression of the nerve. Sometimes these treatments will permanently resolve the symptoms.
If there is significant neurological deficit, or if the symptoms persist after all of the above treatments have been exhausted, surgery may be the only remaining option. Surgery can remove the entire disc or just the portion that is bulging in order to relieve the compression of the affected nerve.
Can I make a claim for my herniated disc injury?
Yes. If the injury was caused by a collision that was someone else’s fault, you should be able to make a full recovery for your medical bills, lost earnings, physical pain, emotional distress as well as the impact on the quality of your life.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in a herniated disc case?
All cases in Washington are subject to a statute of limitations, which requires that a lawsuit be filed within a certain time following the accident. Depending on the circumstances of the case, this period could vary. It is important that you consult with an attorney knowledgeable in herniated disc cases as soon as possible following the accident.
Should I hire an attorney in my herniated disc case?
It is essential that you consult with a qualified attorney before speaking to the other driver’s insurance company. A herniated disc can be a complicated injury and insurance companies will often try to claim that your injury was pre-existing and was not caused by the accident. Other times they will question the reasonableness of the treatment you received. Insurance companies have doctors available to them who commonly testify that your claims are exaggerated and that your treatment was excessive and unreasonable. An attorney with experience handling herniated disc cases can prepare your case to overcome these objections by the insurance company to get you the best possible result.