California Bulging and Herniated Disc Injury Law FIRM

Herniated discs and bulging discs are common injuries suffered by victims of high-impact (often times low-speed) vehicle accidents and falls.

These injuries can be very debilitating and painful.  Compensation for a hurt victim who has a herniated or bulging disc can be extremely high because the injured person may have long-lasting side effects that require ongoing medical attention.

If you’ve been hurt in an accident and now have a bulging or herniated disc, you need a personal injury lawyer who can help you receive compensation for your injuries.

The Reeves Law Group has successfully represented injury victims for over 30 years and has the skills and resources to help you.


Back Injury Statistics

  • Lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide
  • 90% of all back injuries occur in the lower back
  • 8 out of 10 Americans will be affected by back pain
  • Americans spend $50 billion per year on back injury treatment
  • 38% of middle-aged people have disc injuries
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What is Personal Injury?

Spinal Disc Injuries

The human back is comprised of 24 vertebrae separated by spinal discs.  These discs act as cushions and allow the back to bend and twist, an essential for nearly every human action.  When an injury causes one of these discs to bulge or break, the disc moves out of alignment.  When the disc is damaged, spinal nerves or the spinal cord can become pinched or compressed, resulting in severe symptoms in the back, arms and legs.  Left untreated, a bulging or herniated disc can impact bladder and bowel control, genital usage, and arm and leg strength.

Three common disc injuries are:

  • Protruding Disc: A protruding disc occurs when the soft cartilage in the center of a spinal disc begins to stick out into the spinal column. The protrusion involves less than half of the disc’s soft cartilage.
  • Bulging Disc: This injury occurs when more than half of the disc’s soft cartilage is pushed out. Compression of spinal nerve roots or the spinal cord may occur though the soft cartilage inside the disc has not torn through the outer layer of the disc.
  • Herniated Disc: A herniated disc injury occurs when the disc’s inner cartilage tears through the outer layer of the disc. This often results in the disc compressing a nerve root or the spinal cord.

After a Bulging Disc Injury

If you have suffered a bulging or herniated disc injury in an accident, it is important to take the following steps.

  • Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Because a bulging or herniated disc injury can affect your spinal cord, nervous system, and other body parts necessary for walking, it is important to call for immediate emergency help.  Do not try to move on your own because movement can cause more damage to your back.  Once you are at the hospital or at your doctor’s office, insist on a full examination, including an MRI, so the doctor can tell if you have suffered a disc injury.
  • Collect Clues: It is really important for you to figure out how your accident happened.  The best time is right after the accident because memories are still fresh.  This can be done by writing down eyewitness testimony and contact information as well as taking pictures of the scene.  Try to take photos from up close and far away.  Your lawyer will use these photographs to help understand exactly how you were hurt and who is responsible.  Also, be sure to record your own thoughts on how the accident happened and who is responsible. If your injury was caused in an automobile accident, call the police to the scene.  The officers will write up a report of the crash.  Ask for a copy of this report and keep it for your own records.  If you were injured at a place of business, like a shop or mall, ask the building management to document the accident and request that they make a copy of this report for you.  Finally, if you suffer a bulging or herniated disc while working, immediately notify your employer, request a copy of the accident report, and file a workers’ compensation claim.
  • Don’t Talk About the Accident: Never speak to insurance companies without first speaking with a herniated disc injury lawyer.  Insurance companies may claim that your injury was pre-existing and not caused by the accident.  Likewise, they may question the reasonableness of your medical treatment.  An experienced injury lawyer will know how to counter these arguments.
  • Contact an Experienced Attorney: A good attorney who has experience with bulging disc and herniated disc injury cases will have the expertise to communicate effectively with all parties, hire investigators, and collect evidence.  An accomplished lawyer knows how to see your case through from beginning to end.

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What Are The Symptoms of These Injuries?

The spinal canal holds the spinal cord and nerve roots that continue from the back to all parts of the body.  When a disc protrudes into the spinal canal, the disc can put pressure on the nerves or spinal cord.  This nerve compression can cause many serious problems, including:

  • Radiating pain down a leg or arm
  • Buttocks pain
  • Swelling in the area of the bulging disc
  • Tingling or numbness of the lower leg, calf, foot, arm or hand
  • Muscle weakness
  • Decreased sexual performance
  • Bowel irregularity and kidney problems
  • Paralysis

The Value of Your Case

Back injury accidents can range in severity, from mild to very serious.  Some injuries may cause nothing more than a pulled or sprained muscle.  Other accidents can result in injuries that may leave someone paralyzed or worse.  For this reason, each injury must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Generally, the person or party who is responsible for your injuries (usually their  insurance policy comes into play) will compensate you for the accident.  They pay “damages,” a dollar amount that represents how the accident has affected your life.  Damages are divided into two categories – “economic” and “non-economic.”

  • Economic damages represent how much you have spent on expenses like doctor’s bills as well as the money you didn’t earn or can’t earn because of an inability to work.
  • Non-economic damages are more difficult to put a dollar amount on because these represent the non-monetary ways that the accident has affected your life.  For example, you can be compensated for your daily pain and suffering because of your back injury.

Getting the Best Injury Lawyer Who Can Help You

Over the years, The Reeves Law Group has won cases and negotiated settlements for thousands of clients. The firm’s success has earned the team a reputation for excellence within the legal community.  If you have suffered a bulging disc injury or a herniated disc injury, schedule a free consultation with our personal injury lawyer and let our firm apply its expertise and resources to your case.

Call us at (800) 644-8000 or contact us via our Quick Response page. For your convenience, we make home and hospital visits!

[Written by Derek Pakiz. Article updated on 2022-11-28]