What's A Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc is a serious injury that occurs along your spine's vertebrae, specifically in the discs. The disc is made up of two parts: a so-called nucleus, which is like the center of the disc, and an “annulus”, or hard exterior. A tear in this can trigger a slip of the nucleus heading for the spinal canal. Spinal nerves can be irritated by the disc wherever the herniation is. Numbness, pain, tingling and weakness can likely occur.
Pain can also begin suddenly and intensify with sudden movement, as well as when sneezing, coughing, or repositioning the body. The pain can be sudden and piercing, like a stabbing sensation.
It should be noted that in some cases, a herniated disc isn't felt at all. In fact, there are times when they're only uncovered when a doctor spots them on a spinal image.
A car wreck, slip and fall, blow to the back, or construction accident can all cause a herniated disc. Herniated discs can also result from repetitive trauma over time. Continuously lifting heavy things or a recurring twisting move can be triggers. Wear and tear alongside aging can also be a symptom.
Back Injuries and Workers' Comp
We may refer to a herniated disc as a type of back injury in some instances. The difference between a herniated disc and back injury is that the former is the result of damage to the spine. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that back injuries constitute one out of every five workplace injuries as a whole. This is higher than many employees realize. Even with the bureau’s statistics, workers aren’t familiar with what all workers’ compensation covers.
Eligible employees can get benefits from workers' comp settlements such as:
- Disability benefits (both temporary and permanent)
- Lost wages
- Medical treatment
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing care costs
Employers are required by law to cover the burial costs of up to $10,000 of employees who die on the job, and to provide death benefits for their families.
Here are some facts about average lump sum settlements in cases involving back injuries: they can vary based on each individual's case. On average some claimants may receive more if they don't opt for a lump sum settlement.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates the average settlement for a herniated disc in the state of California to be between $40,000 to $80,000.
Conclusion
Workers’ compensation is an agreement in place for workers who are injured by a workplace accident. A herniated disc-which is a serious injury along the vertebrae of the spine-can lead to pain, numbness, weakness and tingling.
Pacific Workers’, The Lawyers for Injured Workers is here to help! We’re a workers’ compensation law firm in Northern CA. Call us now at 800-606-6999 for a free consultation today!
