Columbia Herniated and Bulging Disc Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
Whether you work in construction, drive an 18-wheeler or other commercial vehicle across the country, or sit behind a desk all day, every worker is at risk of a workplace accident and injury. One of the most common injuries across every work environment is back injuries, and more specifically herniated or bulging discs. When a worker injures their back, the ramifications can be life-altering, both physically and financially. Workers’ compensation may be the only way you can afford to pay for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages, and if your claim is denied or you don’t receive the amount you need, you may feel like all hope is lost. Fortunately, an experienced and aggressive workers’ compensation attorney can fight for you, ensuring you get every dollar you need in order to recover from your back injury and return to work.
A common misconception among workers is that filing for workers’ compensation is a simple process, and one that employers encourage. Unfortunately, it can be an incredibly complicated and frustrating process to handle on your own, even if you have a good relationship with your employer. Whether you need help initiating the process or have had your claim delayed or denied, the Columbia herniated and bulging disc attorneys at Goings Law Firm, LLC will take your case and fight for you every step of the way. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience dealing with employers and insurance companies and will not rest until you get the benefits you need. To schedule a free consultation and talk about your legal options, contact us today by calling (803) 350-9230 or fill out and submit an online form.
Do I Need a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
Even if the accident that caused your injury seems straightforward, workers’ compensation laws and the process of filing a claim can be incredibly complex and convoluted. With these cases, it’s fairly common for claims to be significantly delayed and even denied without reason or explanation. Insurance companies, like all businesses, exist to make money. They will do anything they can to find something wrong or suspicious about your case to avoid paying you the money you both need and deserve in order to make a full recovery. By hiring and working with a dedicated and experienced workers’ compensation attorney from the very beginning, you will get all the help you need to fill out and file your paperwork correctly and in a timely fashion. In the event that your claim is denied or you don’t receive the full amount you deserve, a lawyer can gather evidence or testimonies from witnesses to strengthen your claim, and even take your case to court if necessary. When your injury is as serious as a herniated or bulging disc, you can’t afford to take on insurance companies alone.
Why Choose Goings Law Firm, LLC?
At Goings Law Firm, LLC, we are completely dedicated to the success of our individual clients. We will always take the time to investigate the particular details of your specific case, and will never use a cookie-cutter approach. This ensures that no important detail is ignored. This client-focused process has allowed us to win millions of dollars for our past clients. We have numerous awards under our belt, including a perfect 10 rating from Avvo and an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell, so you know that when you work with us, you are working with the best.
Common Causes of Herniated/Bulging Disc Injuries
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the most common and most expensive types of workplace injuries are overexertion injuries. This includes any injury related to lifting, holding, pulling, pushing, or throwing activities. When workers are required to repeatedly carry out these tasks for their job, even the strongest back is not immune to injury. And while workers are expected to practice caution and follow safety procedures, a number of injuries are truly the result of an accident.
In 2015-2016, an estimated 621,000 non-fatal workplace injuries were reported across the United States, resulting in 4.5 million lost working days. Back injuries are not only a common workplace injury, but they also sideline workers for weeks or even months while they recover. Acting as shock absorbers while also keeping vertebrae from touching or scraping against each other, discs sit between the individual bones in the spine. Whether from continual strain or a single incident, these small, fluid-filled cushions can bulge outward and press against the nerves of the spinal cord. When a disc bulges it can cause serious pain down the back and in some cases into the legs. In more serious cases, the disc can rupture or burst, resulting in fluid leaking out. This injury is called a herniated disc. Herniated and bulging disc injuries can be incredibly painful and often require surgery and significant recovery time.
Because back injuries are commonly caused by activities or motions that put an inordinate amount of strain on the lower back, some workers are more prone to a herniated or bulging disc injury than others, including construction workers, movers, general laborers, and warehouse workers. These jobs all require heavy, repetitive lifting, but workers can also suffer a bulging or herniated disc due to the following:
- Car accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Getting hit by a falling or swinging object
- Falling from scaffolding or other heights
Herniated and bulging discs can be incredibly painful, making physical labor impossible for victims. Along with severe back pain, they can also cause muscle weakness, leg pain, and arm pain. There are some cases where pain can be controlled or mitigated through muscle relaxers and pain medication, but a majority of cases require surgery and rehabilitation, resulting in missed work and mounting debt.
Contact Us Today
If you or someone you know has suffered a herniated or bulging disc injury due to a workplace accident, the stakes are incredibly high. Most back injuries require time off work and possibly surgery. Paying for these procedures and supplementing your income while you recover is impossible without workers’ compensation benefits. At Goings Law Firm, LLC, we vow to take on insurance companies that have denied your claims, and we’ll fight for you every step of the way. To learn more about your legal options, contact our Columbia workers’ compensation attorneys today by calling (803) 350-9230 to schedule a free consultation.
