Honolulu Injury Attorneys Represent Clients with Herniated Discs
Seeking full compensation for painful neck and back injuries
A herniated disc is a common result of an auto accident, construction accident or a slip-and-fall accident. Modern medical technology, such as MRIs, can prove the existence of a disc rupture, but that is no guarantee you’ll receive the compensation you deserve. You must still prove that your accident caused the injury. Additionally, some patients with ruptures report no discomfort at all, while others with slight bulges experience excruciating pain. Because herniated discs affect patients differently, medical diagnostics are often insufficient to prove the extent of your injury. Fortunately, Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, Attorneys at Law has vast experience with this type of injury. Our attorneys know how to assemble the evidence necessary to make a compelling case for relief.
Understanding herniated discs and how they occur
A herniated disc is a spinal injury involving one of the rubbery cushions between the individual vertebrae. Also called a disc protrusion, ruptured disc, bulging disc or a slipped disc, the injury occurs when the outer layer tears and the gelatinous material inside oozes forward, putting pressure on the nerves of the spinal column. A herniated disc can occur anywhere on the spine but is most commonly found in the neck or the lower back.
Common sources of herniated or bulging disc injury include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Manual labor that requires lifting heavy objects
- Falls
- Repetitive stress on the job
- Long periods of sitting
“Whiplash” is the term often used for the sudden torqueing of the neck or back that puts inordinate pressure on the soft tissues, including the discs. Whiplash can cause a concussion, tearing of muscles and ligaments, as well as a disc rupture, but many injured parties do not even realize they are injured until the next day or so, when their adrenaline subsides and the area stiffens.
Pursuing damages that fully compensate for the injury
A herniated disc can create a persistent condition of chronic pain that limits your activity and diminishes your quality of life. Moreover, you can expect a back or neck injury to worsen and become more painful with age. The compensation you receive must anticipate the long-term effects of your injury, but it takes an experienced personal injury attorney to make the case based on your current condition.
What you can do to strengthen your case
If you have been involved in an accident, it is extremely important to seek medical attention right away, even if you believe you were not seriously injured. Documenting the direct relationship between the accident and your injury will help your case immensely. Insurance companies often try to prove that herniated discs resulted from some cause other than an accident. Insurance companies use many tactics to deny, delay or reduce the compensation for your injury claim. Delay tactics can put you up against the statute of limitations, the two-year time period Hawaii allows you to file a claim. To improve your prospects for a favorable resolution, you should retain a reputable attorney as quickly as possible.
Contact a preeminent personal injury law firm in Honolulu
Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, Attorneys at Law provides trustworthy and professional legal representation in injury cases. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 808.524.1433 or contact us online. We accept injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees until we recover compensation for you. We offer evening and weekend appointments as necessary, and our staff speaks Japanese, Korean and Tagalog.
