Herniated Disc Injuries: Lumbar, Cervical, and Thoracic Disc Herniation and What a Bulging Disc Injury Claim Is Worth

A herniated disc might sound like a minor back problem, but for those who suffer from one, it can be life-altering. 

This painful spinal injury can limit mobility, affect the ability to work, and result in years of ongoing treatment. 

If your herniated disc was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as in a car accident, slip and fall, or work-related injury, you may be entitled to compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages from missed work, and more.

At Morgan & Morgan, we’ve helped countless clients recover financial damages for serious injuries, including herniated discs. If someone else’s negligence left you with such an injury, contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

Your spine is made up of a column of bones called vertebrae. Between each vertebra sits a soft, gel-like cushion called a disc. These discs act as shock absorbers and allow flexibility in your back.

A herniated disc, also known as a slipped disc or ruptured disc, occurs when the inner gel-like core of the disc pushes out through a tear in the outer layer. When this happens, the disc material can press on nearby nerves, causing:

• Pain (especially in the back, neck, arms, or legs)
• Numbness or tingling
• Weakness in muscles
• Limited mobility

A herniated disc can happen anywhere along your spine, but the severity and where it occurs—lumbar (lower back), cervical (neck), or thoracic (upper/mid-back)—will significantly influence your symptoms, treatment, and legal case value.

Lumbar Herniated Disc (Lower Back)

This is the most common type of herniation due to weight-bearing and mobility of the lower back.

Symptoms:

• Lower back pain
• Pain radiating down the buttock, leg, or foot (sciatica)
• Numbness or tingling in the leg
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty walking or standing for long periods
• Loss of bladder or bowel control (in severe cases—cauda equina syndrome)

Lumbar herniations often require physical therapy, injections, and sometimes surgery like laminectomy or discectomy. These cases can result in higher compensation due to the potential for long-term disability and significant pain.

Cervical Herniated Disc (Neck)

This is the second most common location. These discs are smaller, but herniation can have wide-reaching effects due to the proximity of nerves that control your arms and hands.

Symptoms:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Radiating pain to the shoulder, arm, or hand
• Tingling or numbness in the fingers
• Headaches
• Reduced range of motion
• Arm or hand weakness

Cervical disc herniations can greatly affect daily functioning, especially if your work involves typing, lifting, or manual labor. You may also require anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery, which increases case value.

Thoracic Herniated Disc (Mid-Back)

Least common type due to the stability of the rib cage and limited mobility of this area—but potentially most serious if it occurs.

Symptoms:

• Mid-back pain that may radiate around the rib cage
• Tingling or numbness in the chest or abdomen
• Weakness in the legs (if spinal cord is compressed)
• Problems with balance or walking

Though rare, thoracic herniations can result in spinal cord compression and permanent impairment. These injuries often have high medical costs and major lifestyle impacts, which can significantly raise the value of a personal injury claim.

What Is a Bulging Disc Injury?

A bulging disc injury is a spinal condition that occurs when one of the discs between the vertebrae in your spine protrudes outward beyond its normal boundary. 

Unlike a herniated disc, where the disc's inner gel-like core breaks through the outer layer, a bulging disc involves the disc remaining intact but extending out of place, typically due to pressure or degeneration.

While both conditions affect the spine and can cause pain, a bulging disc is generally considered less severe than a herniated disc, but it can still lead to significant discomfort and nerve compression if left untreated.

Common Causes of Herniated Disc Injuries

While herniated discs can occur due to age-related wear and tear (a condition known as disc degeneration), many are the result of trauma or strain, particularly in the following scenarios:

Car Accidents

Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of herniated discs. The force of impact can twist or jolt the spine unnaturally, especially in rear-end collisions, causing disc damage.

Slip and Fall Accidents

A sudden fall, such as on a wet floor, icy sidewalk, or uneven surface, can compress the spine or cause a hard impact that damages the discs.

Workplace Injuries

Repetitive lifting, twisting, or physical labor can cause or aggravate spinal injuries, particularly in jobs involving manual labor, construction, or warehouse work.

Sports and Recreational Activities

High-impact sports like football, gymnastics, and weightlifting can also result in herniated discs, especially if proper technique and safety gear aren’t used.

Lifting Injuries

Improper lifting technique or attempting to carry a load that’s too heavy can put excessive strain on the spine and cause a disc to herniate.

Diagnosing a Herniated Disc

If you’ve been in an accident and are experiencing pain, numbness, or weakness, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. A physician may diagnose a herniated disc using:

• Physical exam: Checking for nerve function, strength, and reflexes.
• MRI or CT scan: These imaging tests provide detailed pictures of the spine and can show the location and severity of the herniation.
• X-rays: While not as effective at showing disc tissue, X-rays can rule out other causes of pain.
• Myelogram or EMG: In some cases, nerve conduction studies or contrast imaging may be used.

Early diagnosis is key to preventing long-term nerve damage and developing an effective treatment plan.

Treatment for Herniated Discs

The appropriate treatment depends on the severity of the herniation and the symptoms experienced. Common treatments include:

Non-Surgical Options:

• Rest and activity modification
• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications or muscle relaxers
• Epidural steroid injections
  
   

Surgical Options:

If conservative treatment fails or nerve compression is severe, surgery may be recommended. Common procedures include:

• Discectomy: Removal of the herniated portion of the disc.
• Laminectomy: Removal of part of the vertebra to relieve pressure.
• Spinal fusion: Fusing two vertebrae to stabilize the spine.

Recovery can take weeks to months, and many people experience ongoing limitations even after treatment.

The Impact of a Herniated Disc on Your Life

Beyond the pain itself, a herniated disc can have a ripple effect throughout every aspect of your life:

• Chronic pain and discomfort
• Inability to work or perform everyday tasks
• Sleep disturbances
• Emotional and mental distress
• Reduced quality of life

In some cases, individuals are permanently disabled or unable to return to their previous jobs. These impacts can add up to significant financial stress and emotional hardship.

Can You Sue for a Herniated Disc Injury?

If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. To bring a successful claim, you must typically prove:

• Duty of care: The at-fault party owed you a duty (e.g., a driver must drive safely, a store must keep its premises safe).
• Breach of duty: The person or company failed in that duty.
• Causation: Their actions caused your herniated disc injury.
• Damages: You suffered losses—physical, emotional, or financial—as a result.
  
   

Common Scenarios That May Lead to a Lawsuit

The following scenarios can commonly lead to a lawsuit when involving negligence on the other side’s part.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

If another driver’s careless or reckless actions caused your crash, their insurance may be responsible for covering your injuries.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain safe premises. If a hazardous condition caused your fall and disc injury, they may be liable.

Workplace Accidents

While workers’ compensation typically covers job-related injuries, in some cases, you may also have a third-party claim. For example, if a defective machine caused your injury, you may have a claim.

Product Liability

If defective equipment or machinery caused your herniated disc, you may be able to hold the manufacturer accountable.

How Much Is a Herniated Disc Worth? How Much Is a Bulging Disc Injury Worth?

At Morgan & Morgan, we fight to recover the full and fair compensation our clients need and deserve to move forward with their lives. 

If you’ve suffered a spinal disc injury due to negligence, you may be entitled to damages, including:

• Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability or impairment

If the defendant’s behavior was especially reckless, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish them and deter future wrongdoing.

What those damages actually total in terms of dollars depends on multiple factors of your specific case. The value of a personal injury claim can vary widely depending on the severity of the injury, the impact on your life, and the circumstances of the accident. 

The settlement value of herniated disc cases is usually higher than that of a bulging disc, so you'll want to make sure you've received the proper diagnosis and understand how to move forward. Some bulging disc injuries, however, can cause severe long term consequences, such as nerve rooSome bulging disc injuries can cause severe long term consequences, such as nerve root impingements when compared with herniated discs.

Every case is different, but spinal disc injuries are rarely minor when they interfere with your life. Whether you’re facing mounting medical bills, missed work, or just can’t live the life you used to, you deserve compensation that reflects the true cost of your injury.

With Morgan & Morgan, we fight for what you’re owed.

Why Herniated Disc Cases Can Be Complex

Herniated disc cases can be challenging for a few key reasons:

1. Pre-existing conditions: The defense may argue that your disc herniation was due to a pre-existing back problem, not the accident.
2. Delayed symptoms: Some people don’t experience symptoms right away, making it harder to connect the injury to the incident.
3. Imaging ambiguity: Not all herniated discs are visible on scans, and the extent of nerve damage can be difficult to quantify.

That’s why it’s essential to work with experienced attorneys who understand how to gather compelling medical evidence, bring in expert testimony, and fight back against insurance company tactics.

What to Do After a Herniated Disc Injury

Following an accident, your health and safety should be your top priority. Plus, to strengthen your case, you’ll need strong medical evidence. 

If you suspect you’ve suffered a herniated disc, take the following steps:

• Seek care immediately: Even if symptoms are mild, early documentation is critical.
• Follow your doctor’s orders: Adhering to your treatment plan shows that you’re taking your recovery seriously.
• Keep detailed records: Track your symptoms, appointments, treatments, and out-of-pocket expenses.
• Don’t downplay your pain: Be honest with your doctors about how the injury is affecting you.

Medical records, imaging scans, and physician testimony often make the difference between a weak case and a strong one.

But your personal injury claim doesn’t stop at the doctor’s office. You will also need to:

• Report the incident: Make an official report to your employer, property manager, or police, depending on the type of accident.
• Document everything: Take photos, collect names of witnesses, and keep receipts of medical bills and other associated expenses.
• Avoid talking to insurance adjusters alone: Insurance companies will try to get you to settle for less than you deserve. Have a lawyer advocate for your full and fair compensation.
• Contact Morgan & Morgan: An experienced personal injury lawyer can fight for what you truly need to move forward with your life.
  
   

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

A herniated disc injury can turn your world upside down, physically, financially, and emotionally. But you don’t have to face this challenge alone. At Morgan & Morgan is here to stand by your side, demand accountability, and pursue the maximum compensation possible.

At Morgan & Morgan, we serve herniated disc injury victims across the country as America’s largest injury law firm, and we’ve recovered billions of dollars in compensation in the process.

With law offices nationwide, we handle herniated disc cases in all 50 states, and our army of over 1,000 trial-ready attorneys is not afraid to go to court to get you the compensation you deserve.

Whether you were injured in a car crash, workplace accident, or slip and fall, our team is ready to help you take the next step toward recovery and justice.

Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.