If you have been involved in a car accident and suffer from back pain, the doctor may have told you that your discomfort is caused by degenerative disc disease. While the accident didn’t cause the degenerative disc disease, it can definitely activate the pain and exacerbate the condition. Degenerating discs are normal parts of the aging process, and for most people, there aren’t any problems from it. The disc will become dehydrated which will reduce its ability to perform as a shock absorber. The trauma from a car accident will aggravate the condition and cause the symptoms – especially pain – to worsen.
The Cost of Treating Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease can be an expensive condition depending on the severity of your condition and the treatment plan. There will be costs for doctor visits. Hot or cold packs could cost as much as $200 and there will be costs for non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications. Physical therapy sessions might cost as much as $350 per session, and depending on the severity of your condition, surgery might be suggested. Surgery could range from $20,000 to $150,000. You will also be out of work for an extended amount of time, which will add up your financial losses.
Pursuing a Personal Injury Claim for Degenerative Disc Disease After a Merging Accident
If you have been involved in a merging accident that has exacerbated or aggravated your degenerative disc disease, you will want to recover the costs of your losses by pursuing a personal injury claim. When you file your claim, you will need to show that the other party was negligent, and you will also need to include all your losses and itemize the value of each loss before figuring the total. Here are some of the more common damages claimed in a personal injury claim after a merging accident:
- Past and future lost wages
- Past and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Property damages
- Mental anguish
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Your personal injury lawyer will help you add up your losses, determine the damages you suffered, and gather evidence to show that the injuries you sustained were caused by negligence. All four elements of negligence must be met.
Consult With a Personal Injury Attorney
Your personal injury claim for degenerative disc disease after a merging accident is much more likely to be successful if you are represented by a personal injury lawyer. Personal injury lawyers take accident injury cases on a contingency basis, so you will not have to pay anything up front. Your lawyer will be compensated only when you win your claim and get a settlement or a judgment for your losses. There is a strict statute of limitations for pursuing a personal injury claim after an accident, so complete the Free Case Evaluation Form and have your case details reviewed today, so you can get your case underway before time runs out and you cannot recover your damages.
