Slipped Disc Compensation Claims

A slipped or herniated disc is a common form of spinal injury. It occurs when any of the cushions of tissue between the vertebrae bulge out of place and can cause symptoms like pain, numbness and muscle weakness. These can significantly impact your quality of life and ability to work and carry out daily tasks.

Common causes of herniated disc injuries include road traffic accidents, accidents at work, falls and manual handling activities. If you were injured in an accident due to someone else’s fault, you might be entitled to slipped disc compensation.

To find out if you have a valid personal injury claim, do not hesitate to call 0800 470 0474 or enter your details into our online claim form. You will receive a free consultation with a friendly legal adviser who will guide you through all the steps of the claims process.

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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

Table of Contents

• What is a slipped disc injury?
• Signs and symptoms of a herniated disc
• How is a slipped disc diagnosed and treated?
• Am I eligible for slipped disc compensation?
• Evidence needed to support a slipped disc compensation claim
• What accidents can lead to a slipped disc claim?
• Can I claim compensation for a slipped disc at work?
• Frequently asked questions
• What is the time limit to start a claim for a slipped disc?
• How much compensation for a herniated disc?
• Can I make a No Win No Fee claim?

What is a slipped disc injury?

The spine is made of a series of bones called vertebrae that stretch from the base of the skull to the tailbone. Between the vertebrae, there are soft cushions made of a gel-like material known as vertebral discs. These provide support, flexibility and stability to the spine and absorb shock to protect the spinal cord from injury.

A herniated or slipped disc occurs when one of the discs tears or leaks, causing the inner gel-like material to move out of its position. This can result in compression or irritation of nearby spinal nerves, leading to symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the back, arms, legs or other areas. According to NHS statistics, about 1 in 20 adults have a slipped disc, and this injury most commonly affects people aged 30 to 50.

Signs and symptoms of a herniated disc

A slipped disc injury can occur anywhere along the spine, but it most commonly affects the lumbar spine (lower back) or the cervical spine (neck). The severity of symptoms will vary depending on the location and size of the bulge, as well as individual factors like age, lifestyle and overall health. These include:

• Pain. Sharp or dull pain in the back, neck, buttocks, legs, or arms, depending on the location of the herniated disc.
• Numbness or tingling. Sensations of numbness, tingling, or “pins and needles” in the affected area or down the arms or legs.
• Weakness. Muscle weakness or difficulty moving the affected body part, especially if nerve compression is present.
• Changes in reflexes. Abnormal reflex responses in the affected limbs, such as diminished or hyperactive reflexes.
• Difficulty with movement. Pain or stiffness that worsens with specific actions or activities, such as bending, lifting, or twisting.

If you have back or neck pain that travels down your arm or leg and other symptoms like numbness or tingling, you should seek medical care as soon as possible. Your doctor will diagnose your condition, establish its cause and recommend the appropriate treatment. If you suffered a herniated disc due to someone else’s negligence, you may also be eligible to make a personal injury compensation claim.

How is a slipped disc diagnosed and treated?

Your doctor will do a thorough exam to diagnose your condition. They will start with a physical exam to check your muscle strength, reflexes, pain and sensation. They will also ask you about your symptoms and medical history and may order tests such as:

• X-rays. They help see the bones of the spine and rule out other conditions that may cause your symptoms. X-rays cannot provide detailed images of soft tissues like discs.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRIs are highly effective and accurate in detecting bulging discs and the extent of the injury.
• Computed tomography (CT). CT scans can provide detailed images of the spine and intervertebral discs when an MRI cannot be used.
• Myelogram. This test involves injecting a contrast dye into the spine to locate the herniated disc.
• Electromyogram (EMG). An EMG measures the electrical activity of muscles and nerve cells to identify nerve damage or compression associated with a slipped disc.

Once your doctor knows the location and extent of the herniated disc, they will recommend the appropriate course of treatment, which could involve:

• Over-the-counter or prescription medications to reduce pain and inflammation, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, or oral steroids;
• Physical therapy to help relieve pressure on the nerves, strengthen supportive muscles and improve flexibility;
• Spinal injections of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and relieve pain;
• If symptoms do not improve with other methods, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the damaged portion of the disc or, in severe cases, the entire disc.

Am I eligible for slipped disc compensation?

The easiest way to find out if you can make a herniated disc compensation claim is by talking with a personal injury solicitor. They will offer you a free case assessment to verify whether:

• Another party (the defendant) owed you a legal duty of care;
• They breach this duty through negligence or wrongdoing;
• You’ve suffered a slipped disc as a result of their actions or inactions.

Your solicitor will know what legislation applies to your case and will be able to prove a duty of care. They will refer to laws such as the Road Traffic Act 1988 or the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 and help you gather the necessary evidence to start your slipped disc claim.

Once they’ve built a strong case, your solicitor will send a claim notification form to the defendant and wait for their response. If the other side admits liability, they will start negotiating your bulging disc compensation amount. Otherwise, your solicitor will issue court proceedings and will be ready to argue your claim before a judge if necessary. But don’t worry, as most accident claims will never see the inside of a courtroom.

Evidence needed to support a slipped disc compensation claim

If you want to claim compensation for a herniated disc, you will need evidence to show how your injury occurred and how it has affected your life. Your solicitor will help you gather all the documents you need to start your claim, which could include:

• Photographs of the accident scene and what caused you injury before anything is moved;
• Pictures of any visible back injuries that may have caused the herniated disc;
• If available, CCTV or dash cam footage of the accident;
• Detailed medical records that document your diagnosis, including a history of symptoms, doctor’s notes and the treatments you received;
• Diagnostic imaging results such as X-rays, CT scans and MRIs, which show the type of injury you suffered and its severity;
• Statements from witnesses who saw how your accidents occurred can help assign liability;
• A copy of an accident report form if you suffered a slipped disc at work or on the grounds of a business that must keep an accident book;
• Employment records, including job descriptions, the training you received and safety equipment provided by your employer;
• Your notes about how your injury occurred, the pain and suffering it has caused you and the lifestyle changes you had to make as a result;
• You also need evidence of any expenses you had to pay as a result of your prolapsed disc, such as prescriptions, medical bills and care costs.

These documents will help your solicitor build a strong case and secure the herniated disc compensation you deserve.

What accidents can lead to a slipped disc claim?

You could claim personal injury compensation following any accident that was at least partially someone else’s fault. The most common causes of a slipped disc for which you may be eligible to claim compensation include:

• Road traffic accidents. Car accidents and other road collisions can result in forceful trauma to the back, leading to a prolapsed intervertebral disc.
• Accidents at work. Many incidents at work can result in a slipped disc, including falls from a height, being hit by a heavy object and machinery accidents. Lifting or carrying heavy objects can also strain the muscles and ligaments of the back, increasing the risk of a herniated disc over time.
• Sports injuries. High-impact sports or activities that involve repetitive motions and sudden changes in direction can result in bulging disc compensation if the injury was due to poor ground condition, bad advice from a coach or other types of negligence.
• Slips, trips and falls. A slip, trip or fall can result in trauma to the spine, potentially causing a slipped disc. Such accidents are typically due to poor housekeeping, such as slippery floors, objects left in walkways and uneven steps and pavements.
• Violent crimes. Being punched, kicked, or struck with an object in the back or neck region can cause compression or herniation of the spinal discs. Victims of violent crimes can make a slipped disc claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
• Medical negligence. If your healthcare provider has failed to diagnose your condition on time, and this has resulted in unnecessary pain and suffering, you can make a compensation claim.

Can I claim compensation for a slipped disc at work?

Employers have strict duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to prevent injuries to employees. A breach of any of these duties could result in an accident at work claim, including a failure to:

• Conduct regular risk assessments to identify hazards that could lead to a herniated or prolapsed disc;
• Provide adequate manual handling or safety training;
• Keep all machinery and equipment well-maintained and safe for use;
• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) or specialised tools such as lifting aids to prevent a spinal injury;
• Provide adequate breaks and job rotation to avoid straining and overuse.

You could claim herniated disc compensation if you suffered any type of accident due to your employer’s negligence. This is your legal right, and they cannot sack you, demote you, or treat you any differently as a result. If they do so, you may have a further claim at an employment tribunal under unfair and dismissal laws.

Frequently asked questions

We have answered a few of the most common questions we receive from claimants about making a slipped disc compensation claim below. However, if you would like to discuss the possibility of making a claim, please call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back. A friendly legal adviser will offer you a free case assessment with no obligation to proceed.

What is the time limit to start a claim for a slipped disc?

The time limit to start a slipped disc injury claim is set by the Limitation Act 1980 and is typically three years, starting from the date of your accident or when your condition was diagnosed. Your case will no longer be valid after the limitation date has passed. However, there are a handful of exceptions that may apply to your case:

• With child injury claims, the three years begin on the child’s 18th birthday, before which a parent could make a personal injury claim on their behalf at any time.
• If the claimant cannot start legal proceedings due to a condition such as Alzheimer’s or PTSD, the time limit is suspended. This means a claim can be made at any time.
• If your injury was due to a physical assault, you have two years to claim for a herniated disc through the CICA.

How much compensation for a herniated disc?

The amount of compensation you could receive in a herniated disc claim will depend on your specific losses. Your solicitor will consider all the ways in which the disc hernia has affected your life, including the related physical pain, loss of amenities and any mental suffering caused by the accident and your injuries (general damages).

Your personal injury claim will also include compensation for any related financial losses, such as private medical treatments, physical therapy, lost wages due to time off work and care costs.

According to our compensation calculator, the average payout for a herniated disc is between £7,890 and £38,780 for minor to moderate injuries and up to £130,930 for severe injuries to the discs in the cervical spine.

Can I make a No Win No Fee claim?

If you slipped a disc and your injury was caused by someone else, our partner solicitors will help you claim compensation on a no win no fee* basis. You do not have to pay them anything upfront, and they will only get a success fee if you win the case. This is a pre-agreed percentage of your settlement, capped at 25% of general damages and past financial losses.

Furthermore, your solicitor will arrange ATE insurance to protect you against litigation costs, so you will never be out of pocket. If you lose, the insurance policy will cover all your expenses and disbursement.

To find out if you can start a slipped disc claim, call 0800 470 0474 today or use our online claim form to request a call back. You will receive a free case assessment with an experienced legal adviser who will answer all your questions and guide you through the claims process.