What is a spinal cord disc bulge?
A spinal cord disc bulge, sometimes called a bulging disc, is a type of spinal injury that occurs when one of the discs in your spine extends beyond its normal boundary, but the outer layer remains intact.
Disc bulges can be asymptomatic, but can also cause localised or radiating pain as well as numbness or tingling.
What is a slipped disc?
A slipped disc, also known as a herniated disc, is a severe injury where one of your spinal discs extends beyond its boundaries and the inner gel-like material breaks through the outer layer of your spine.
What is a disc prolapse?
A disc prolapse is the most severe form of disc injury, wherein the individual’s disc may fully break off. Disc prolapses have a high risk of severe nerve involvement and are usually associated with significant impact on function.
Common causes of bulges, ruptures and disc prolapses
In many cases, particularly those linked to compensation claims, these injuries are either caused by repeated movement or trauma. Disc bulges, for example, commonly arise from repetitive strain, or from whiplash in a car accident.
Disc ruptures and prolapses commonly feature in claims over accidents at work – they might be caused by repetitively lifting heavy items incorrectly, or without the adequate training.
Road traffic accidents, whether as a cyclist, passenger or pedestrian, can also lead to these injuries taking place.
Treating slipped discs
Treatment for slipped discs and spinal ruptures will vary depending on the severity of your injury. Mild cases of disc bulges typically need little treatment other than modifying your rest and activity schedule to avoid worsening your pain. This condition typically improves within a few weeks to months.
Disc ruptures are likely to necessitate more targeted treatments, such as physiotherapy and possibly surgical procedures.
Severe disc prolapses can lead to long-term disabilities if left untreated or if severe nerve damage is caused. In this instance, surgical procedure is likely.
Procedures such as discectomies or laminectomies involve the removal of disc material to decompress nerves, while spinal fusion or artificial disc replacements can also be performed instead.
The extent of treatment required is one of many contributing factors that affect how much compensation you may be eligible for.
Claiming slipped disc accident compensation
To claim compensation for an accident that led to a slipped or herniated disc, disc bulge or prolapse, you must be able to establish the other party’s duty of care – if this is your employer, they do have a duty of care to you as an employee.
If you suffered a slipped disc or spinal rupture as a result of a car crash, every driver has a legal duty to operate their vehicle with due care and attention.
Assuming that duty has been breached – whether via unsafe working conditions or negligent driving, you likely have the basis of a claim, though you’ll also need the authority of a medical professional to substantiate that the incident caused the disc injury and the condition was not pre-existing.
Evidence such as CCTV, witness statements or other paperwork will likely provide a valuable aid in supporting your claim.
If you have questions about your eligibility to claim, call our experts for a quick, free, no-obligation chat.
How much is slipped disc accident compensation usually worth?
Compensation for accidents leading to slipped discs, spinal bulges or ruptures vary significantly in accordance with a number of factors.
These factors include:
• The severity of your spinal cord disc bulge or rupture
• The extent of negligence that caused your injury
• The cost of treatment, rehab, care or home alterations required to accommodate your injury
• The amount of recovery time, pain and suffering endured.
Compensation, or damages, for these injuries can be broken down into two categories:
General damages: under a successful compensation claim, these are payable in line with the amount of pain, suffering and loss of amenity you have endured as a result of the incident.
Special damages: under a successful compensation claim, special damages are payable by the other party for any financial losses you have incurred, such as lost earnings through inability to work or treatment costs.
Contact us for slipped disc compensation
Our Newcastle personal injury claim experts can help you get the compensation you deserve, whether you’re based in the city or anywhere across the North East.
Get in touch today and claim what you are owed following your injustice.
Call: 0191 232 3048
Email: enquire@beechampeacock.co.uk
Visit: 2nd Floor South, New England House, 10 Ridley Place, Newcastle, NE1 8JW
Spinal rupture claim FAQs
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Does my slipped disc have to have happened at work for me to make a claim?
No – as long as somebody else is at fault or has been negligent, you likely have the grounds to make a claim. This means that, provided your injury took place outside of your home, it does not matter if your slipped disc was caused by a workplace injury, a road traffic accident, or if you slipped on a wet surface with no wet floor sign.
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Do I need an X-ray to prove I have a spinal rupture to make a claim?
No, you do not need an X-ray to prove you have a spinal rupture. You do, however, need a diagnosis from a medical professional.
Imagery will help your claim, but with a spinal rupture, an MRI scan will be better in showing the extent of your injury.
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The doctor said the pain from my slipped disc will go away on its own - can I still make a claim?
Yes – as long as somebody else is at fault and you have a medical diagnosis, you can still make a claim.
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How long can I wait before making a spinal cord disc bulge claim?
In the majority of instances, the accident has to have happened within the last three years for a claim to be filed. There are some key exceptions to this rule, however, usually for individuals who were under 21 years old when the injury occurred.
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