Atlanta
Herniated Disc Lawyer

Herniated discs are common in Atlanta, but that doesn’t make them any less painful and debilitating. A herniated disc can cause extreme pain, a frightening numbness and tingling sensation in your arms and legs, or can even make you weak and unable to work or do chores.

If your herniated disc was the result of a fall, accident, or injury, it may legally be someone else’s fault – and they may be legally obligated to pay for your injuries. You need to speak with an Atlanta herniated disc lawyer.

At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping people with herniated discs and other back injuries for more than two decades. Our Atlanta personal injury lawyer firm’s mission is to help people get the financial recovery they deserve for their injuries. We only represent injured people—never insurance companies. Let our experienced personal injury lawyers give you a free consultation to discuss your injuries and the options available to you.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc (also known as a “slipped disc” or “ruptured disc”) is a spine injury. Your spine is made up of a stack of bones, called vertebrae. There are cushiony discs between the vertebrae. These discs are harder on the outside, but they have a soft center, like a jelly donut. 

When there’s a tear in the exterior of the disc, some of the interior “jelly” can squeeze out. This is a herniated disc. 

A herniated disc may cause irritation to nearby nerves, leading to pain and discomfort. According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of herniated discs include:

• Pain in your arms or legs. The location of your pain will depend on where the herniated disc is located. If it’s in your lower back, for example, you may feel pain in your thigh, calf, and buttocks.
• Numbness and tingling. You may feel numbness and tingling in the parts of the body that the irritated nerves connect to. 
• Weakness. Nerve irritation can also weaken the muscles that the nerves are associated with. Weakness can harm your balance or make it hard to lift or grasp things. 

In rare instances, a herniated disc compresses all the nerve endings below your waist, which can result in permanent weakness or paralysis. Many herniated discs can be treated with medication and physical therapy, but some require surgery.

What Causes Herniated Discs?

Some herniated discs are simply a sign of aging. As our bodies age, the discs lose some of their water content, making them less flexible and more likely to tear or rupture just from ordinary activity. But other herniated discs occur because of some sort of trauma, including:

• A car accident
• An assault or other blow to the back
• A fall
• A workplace injury

When your herniated disc occurs because of an accident or some other trauma, someone else may be legally responsible. We see many cases where the herniated disc occurred because of an accident that would not have happened if someone had not been careless. 

For example, we have seen herniated discs on people who slipped and fell on slippery floors where no warning was posted. When you are injured because of someone else’s carelessness, or negligence, they are legally responsible for paying for your injuries.

How Much Is a Herniated Disk Worth in a Lawsuit?

How much your herniated disk is worth in a lawsuit depends largely on the extent and severity of your injuries. Every injury is different and requires different care, which means the compensation you recover is different than other accident victims.

For example, if your herniated disk causes you moderate pain and requires some surgery, you could be able to get some pain and suffering damages, as well as payment for your surgery. However, if your injury means you’re bedridden for months and won’t be able to work your old job again, you can recover more. 

Herniated disks, in general, can be more costly and severe than other injuries, so a settlement for a personal injury case that includes a herniated disk has the possibility of being significantly higher than, say, a sprained ankle.

To get a better idea of just how much you could get from your personal injury settlement, talk to a herniated disk attorney in Atlanta today. A member of our team can go over your case with you and give you an estimated range of possible compensation.

Damages You Can Recover

If you suffer a herniated disc in an accident that was not your fault, state law allows you to recover all of your costs from whoever was at fault. Usually, this means you will recover money from an insurance company. The financial recovery you receive might include:

• Medical expenses, including doctors, hospitals, and surgery
• Prescription medication costs
• Physical therapy, which can help minimize pain
• Lost wages, if you missed time from work because of your herniated disc

At John Foy & Associates, we thoroughly investigate every case we handle, and we are committed to getting you a full evaluation of your injuries by well-qualified doctors. We know that insurance companies often don’t want to pay what an injury will really cost, and we know how to prepare and present evidence that will encourage them to increase their offer. 

If the insurance company won’t pay you what your claim is worth, our litigation team is fully prepared to pursue your case in the Fulton County courts. 

Is a Herniated Disc a Permanent Disability?

Herniated disc victims could qualify for permanent disability, but they have to meet certain specifications. Not all herniated disc injuries result in lifelong debilitation.

According to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Listing of Impairments, a herniated disc can qualify you for disability benefits if the following are true:

• Your injury compromises a root or a bundle of nerves that stem from the spine.
• Your injury causes widespread pain.
• Your injury causes the loss of sensation, reflexes, or movement of the legs.

If so, you could be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. To learn more and get started with your application, you can get in touch with a Social Security disability lawyer in Atlanta today.

What If My Herniated Disc Is Related to My Job?

If you were injured on the job, you are still entitled to recover the costs of your injury, but the procedure is a little different. All Georgia businesses with at least three employees are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance is designed to compensate employees who are injured on the job, without having to file a lawsuit against your employer. 

However, workers’ compensation is an insurance program, and—as with any other injury—the insurance company has a financial motivation to pay you as little as possible. That’s why we recommend working with a workers’ compensation lawyer on your claim.

Is There a Deadline for Filing a Herniated Disc Claim?

Most injury claims must be filed within two years, but in some instances, the deadline is much shorter—only a few months. And if your injury happened on the job, you only have a month to report it. If you miss the deadline for filing your claim, you lose your right to recover money for your injuries. 

Because of this, and because deadlines vary depending on the circumstances of each case, it is essential that you speak with a herniated disc lawyer in Atlanta as soon as possible after you are injured.

Talk to an Atlanta Herniated Disc Attorney for Free

A herniated disc is painful and affects your ability to work and do the things you enjoy. But if your injury was caused by someone else, you shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden. 

The Atlanta herniated disc lawyers at John Foy & Associates offer a free consultation to go over the circumstances of your injury and talk about your options. Call us or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.