Houston Whiplash/Herniated Disc Injury Attorney
The spine is one of the most important parts of the body. Your spinal cord carries all of the neurological impulses and signals from your brain to the rest of your body. While it governs every action in the human body, it does not possess the same ability to regenerate as the rest of the body. When the spinal cord is damaged, it is damaged permanently. The vertebrae of the spine are meant to protect the spinal cord, and the disks between them allow for flexibility. When the spine is damaged or compromised, the spinal cord can be endangered.
The spinal cord extends from the base of the skull to the hips, and any sudden impact or trauma to the spinal cord effects everything below it. An injury to the lower sections of the spine may result in reduced sensations in the legs or feet. Higher up, and the victim may lose the ability to walk. Higher still, and they may lose control over bodily functions and the ability to move unassisted. An injury to the spinal cord right below the skull or in the neck can result in full paralysis, and the loss of one’s independence in his or her daily life.
What Are Whiplash and Herniated Discs?
Our bodies are sensitive to shifts in direction and momentum. Any sudden change in momentum can cause the neck to quickly and violently bend and dislodge the discs between the vertebrae, causing whiplash. Whiplash can lead to pain in the head, neck, and back, and can also cause difficulty in moving the arms. Although the neck sustained the injury, since the nerves in the neck carry signals to other parts of the body, those parts will feel pain as well.
A herniated disc is a term used to describe any issue with the soft discs between the bones of the spine. Herniated discs can put pressure on the nerves of the spinal column, causing intense pain and sometimes a reduced range of motion. Severely herniated discs may require surgery to repair, but less serious ones often heal on their own over time, sometimes with assistive therapy.
Both whiplash and herniated discs can cause extensive pain in other regions of the body, and sometimes require extensive treatment to repair. In some situations, they will never fully heal, leading to chronic pains in the legs, arms, back, and neck. One of the most common causes of whiplash and herniated discs is traffic accidents. If you were involved in any sort of accident that resulted in a herniated disc or whiplash, it is important to know your rights.
What Can Victims Do?
One of the most important things to consider is whether or not your injury was the result of someone else’s negligent behavior. In cases such as car accidents, if the collision was no fault of your own, you may be able to sue the other driver in order to cover the costs of necessary ongoing medical treatment, physical therapy, or lost earning capacity from a diminished ability to work.
If you are thinking about filing a claim against a negligent party, timeliness is critical. Once you discover your injury or the effects manifest (the “date of discovery”), the clock starts ticking down on the statute of limitations for how long you have to pursue legal action against the other party. Contact a reliable attorney at the Nielsen Law Firm to get started on your case as soon as you are able.
The Nielsen Law Firm has been helping clients in the Houston, TX area for over 30 years with all types of personal injury lawsuits. Get in touch with our team today if you have any questions or want to get started on a free case evaluation.