If you’re dealing with a serious back injury following a car crash, you don’t have to face this difficult time alone. The Bakersfield herniated disc lawyers at Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers are ready to help you pursue the compensation you need.
Herniated discs are excruciating and can upend your entire life. Whether you’re missing work, stuck with mounting medical bills, or just trying to get through the day without discomfort, we understand what you’re up against. Our team is here to make sure the insurance companies take your injury seriously and pay you what you deserve.
How Does a Herniated/Bulging Disc Injury Happen?
Herniated discs tend to occur when you least expect them. Everything can feel normal one moment, then the next, you’re dealing with numbness, intense pain, or weakness that won’t go away.
Among the many potential causes of a herniated disc, car accidents, falls, and heavy lifting are particularly prevalent. Even a sudden twist can cause a disc to slip or rupture.
The human spine comprises a column of bones called vertebrae, which have soft, jelly-like discs between them. If one of those discs shifts or bulges out of place, it can press on the nearby nerves and lead to debilitating pain and long-term disability.
You may be left dealing with more than just physical discomfort, too. This kind of injury can affect your ability to work, sleep, care for your family, and go about your normal daily routine.
Herniated discs can be especially insidious when they don’t show up right away. We’ve seen people walk away from accidents thinking they’re fine and only become aware of the damage days later.
If you think you might have ruptured a disc, don’t ignore it. The longer you wait, the harder it could be to recover both physically and financially.
At Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, Your Herniated Disc Case Is Our Number-One Priority
We treat every client like family. When you come to us with a serious injury like a herniated or bulging disc, you aren’t just another case file — you’re a person who’s hurting and looking for help getting your life back on track. We take that responsibility seriously.
Our team focuses on injury cases. We’ve handled hundreds of claims that involve severe injuries, including herniated discs, traumatic brain injuries, and amputations. We know the tactics insurance companies use to downplay conditions like yours, and we know how to push back and prove just how much your injury has impacted your life.
From the moment you reach out to us, we’ll get to work tracking down medical records, building a timeline, talking to witnesses, and applying pressure where it counts.
We’ll walk you through every step of your herniated disc lawsuit to ensure that nothing catches you off guard. Most of all, we’ll fight to make sure you get the financial assistance you deserve.
What Are the Benefits of Working With a Bakersfield Herniated Disc Lawyer?
When you hire a qualified Bakersfield herniated disc lawyer, you get more than just legal assistance. You get someone in your corner who knows how to win these complex, high-stakes cases.
A herniated disc can quickly leave you struggling with thousands of dollars in medical costs, missed paychecks, and a future full of surgery and physical therapy. You shouldn’t have to carry that burden by yourself.
Here’s what we bring to the table:
- Local Experience: We know the courts, judges, and insurers of Bakersfield, and we know how to get results here
- Proven Results: Our team has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients
- Focus on Your Needs: We listen first and act second because your story matters
- No Fees if We Don’t Win: You won’t have to pay us unless we secure the compensation you need to move forward with your life
Most importantly, we understand how to demonstrate the true cost of a herniated disc injury, from the obvious medical expenses to the everyday pain and distress. That’s the only way to ensure a fair outcome in a lawsuit for herniated disc injuries.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc doesn’t always show up immediately after an accident. When the symptoms do appear, they can take over your life. Regardless of whether the pain comes on suddenly or builds over time, it’s important to pay attention.
Pain
This is usually the first and most obvious symptom. It can show up anywhere in your upper or lower back, or even in your limbs. The pain could be sharp or stabbing, or feel like a deep, aching throb that doesn’t ease up.
Numbness and Tingling
If the disc is pressing on the nearby nerves, you might get the feeling of pins and needles in your arms, hands, legs, or feet. Sometimes, this may feel more like a loss of sensation in certain areas.
Muscle Weakness
A herniated disc can cause weakness in the muscles connected to the affected nerves. You might notice that it’s harder to grip objects, walk, or lift things you used to handle easily.
Pain With Movement
Simple motions like bending, standing, or turning can trigger sharp pain with a herniated disc. This often forces people to avoid certain activities, which can in turn make it harder to recover.
Neck Pain
If the injury is in the cervical spine (neck), it could cause stiffness, soreness, or radiating pain down your shoulders and arms.
Back Pain
Back pain is the most common type of pain experienced with herniated discs, especially when the injury is in the lower spine. It can feel like a constant dull ache or sudden jolts of pain, depending on your posture or activity.
Sciatica
When a herniated disc presses on the sciatic nerve, it can trigger a shooting pain that runs from your lower back down through one leg. Sciatica is one of the clearest signs that something is wrong with a spinal disc.
Treatment of a Bulging or Herniated Disc From Injury
There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for herniated discs. Specific remedies will depend on how bad the injury is, where it’s located, and how your body responds. Most people start with conservative options and only move to more drastic procedures if nothing else brings relief.
Physical Therapy
A trained therapist can guide you through stretches and exercises that may help ease pressure on the disc and build strength in the surrounding muscles.
Pain Management
Doctors might prescribe medications like anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers, or even steroid injections to reduce pain and swelling in the affected area.
Rest and Activity Modification
In many cases, a short break from physical activity can make a big difference. However, full bed rest can actually make things worse. The key is to find the right balance.
Chiropractic Care
Some patients see positive results with spinal adjustments, especially when done under the care of a licensed and experienced chiropractor.
Surgery
If nothing else works and the symptoms are severe, surgery might be necessary. Procedures like discectomy and spinal fusion aim to relieve pressure on the nerves and stabilize the spine.
What Can You Expect From the Average Herniated Disc Injury Settlement in California?
The answer to how much compensation for herniated disc injuries one can expect comes down to several factors. There’s no single fixed number — we’ve seen herniated disc lawsuit settlements range from several thousand dollars to well into the six-figure range.
A typical 1- or 2-herniated disc settlement may be worth tens of thousands, especially if surgery or long-term treatment is required. A 3-herniated disc settlement, meanwhile, can bring even more, as it usually means permanent damage or disability. The key is to have a strong legal team that knows how to prove what you’ve lost.
California Car Accident Laws Affecting a Herniated Disc Settlement
If your herniated disc lawsuit stems from a car or truck accident in California, there are a few legal rules that could affect the outcome. Understanding these laws can make a sizable difference in what you’re able to recover.
No-Fault/Comparative Fault
California isn’t a no-fault state, but it does use a comparative fault system. This means that even if you were partly responsible for your accident, you can still recover compensation. However, your total award will be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault.
For example, if you were found 20% liable for your accident, your final settlement amount would be reduced by 20%.
Statute of Limitations
You have a limited window of time to file a herniated disc lawsuit in California. In most cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date the accident happened. If you miss that deadline, your chance to collect compensation could be gone for good.
Contact the Bakersfield Herniated Disc Lawyers at Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you’re suffering from a herniated or bulging disc after a commercial vehicle accident or other mishap, the team at Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers is ready to help you take your next steps. We’ve represented countless injury victims who thought their cases were too small or too complicated to win — and we proved otherwise.
A Bakersfield herniated disc lawyer from our firm will listen to your story, explain your options in clear language, and work tirelessly to get you the compensation you’re owed. There’s no pressure, no confusing legal jargon, and no fee unless we win. That’s our promise to you.
You’re in pain, you’re frustrated, and you’re tired of getting the runaround from the insurance companies. We can deal with the paperwork and the management of your settlement so you can focus on healing. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Bakersfield Herniated Disc Attorney Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Herniated Disc Get Worse Over Time if Left Untreated?
Yes. Without proper care, a herniated disc can lead to worsening pain, nerve damage, and permanent mobility issues. The earlier you get a diagnosis and start treatment, the better your chances of avoiding long-term complications, and the stronger your case will likely be.
How Do I Prove That My Herniated Disc Came From a Car Accident and Not Something Else?
This is a common hurdle in a herniated disc lawsuit, but it’s one we know how to overcome. Medical records, imaging scans, expert opinions, and your own testimony all play a role. The important thing is to act quickly and keep detailed records of your symptoms and treatments. We’ll help you gather compelling documentation.
Can I Still File a Claim if I Had a Pre-Existing Back Condition?
Yes. A pre-existing condition doesn’t disqualify you from filing a personal injury lawsuit. It just means your lawyer will need to show that the accident made your condition worse. This is known as an “aggravation” injury, and it’s something we regularly deal with in herniated disc cases.
Do Herniated Disc Injuries Qualify for Disability Benefits?
Sometimes. If your injury keeps you from working for an extended period, you might qualify for disability through Social Security or private insurance. The process can be difficult to navigate, which is one more reason to have a trustworthy legal team on your side that understands how herniated disc qualify for disability.
What’s the Difference Between a Herniated Disc Lawyer and a Slipped Disc Lawyer?
There isn’t one. “Slipped disc” is just a more casual term for the same injury. Whether you search for a herniated disc lawyer or a slipped disc lawyer, you’re looking for someone with experience with spinal injury claims. That’s exactly what our team brings to the table.
