Spinal Cord and Disc Injuries

Spinal Cord and Disc Injuries: What Alabama Workers Should Know

If you do physical work in Alabama—construction, manufacturing, warehouse labor, healthcare, transportation—there is a good chance you will deal with back or neck pain at some point in your career. Most of the time it is a strain that improves with rest. Sometimes, however, it is something far more serious.

Understanding the basics of spinal injuries can make a real difference—both medically and legally.

Did you know that babies are born with 33 vertebrae, but as we grow, several fuse together. Most adults end up with 24 movable vertebrae and discs, divided into three regions:

• Cervical spine (neck)
• Thoracic spine (upper back)
• Lumbar spine (lower back)

Between each vertebra sits a disc—a cushion that absorbs shock and allows flexibility. These discs protect the spinal cord and the nerves that branch out to the arms and legs.

Over the years handling Alabama work injury cases, we have learned that most serious disc injuries occur in predictable places:

• L5-S1 and L4-5 (lower back) — These account for the vast majority of lumbar herniations.
• C5-6 and C6-7 (neck) — The most common cervical disc injury levels.

If you have been diagnosed with a herniated disc at one of these levels, you are not alone.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc (sometimes called a ruptured disc, slipped disc, disc extrusion, or herniated nucleus pulposus) occurs when the soft inner portion of the disc pushes through the tougher outer layer.

Here’s what many people don’t realize:

• Many people have disc bulges or even herniations and feel no symptoms at all.
• Pain usually occurs when the disc material presses on or irritates a nerve.

When a nerve is involved, symptoms may include:

• Pain radiating down an arm or leg
• Numbness or tingling
• Weakness
• Burning or shooting pain
• Loss of coordination

A cervical (neck) injury may cause pain in the back of the skull, shoulder blade, or down the arm—sometimes leading doctors to initially suspect a rotator cuff tear. Conversely, a shoulder injury can be mistaken for a neck problem. We have seen both scenarios.

An annular tear—a rip in the outer disc wall—can also cause significant pain and may eventually lead to a herniation.

Degeneration vs. Trauma: The “Wear and Tear” Issue

Herniated discs generally arise in one of two ways:

1. Degenerative Disc Disease (Wear and Tear)

As we age, discs naturally lose hydration and elasticity. This process can lead to gradual weakening. Many workers between ages 30 and 50 have some degree of degenerative change—even if they feel fine.

2. Traumatic Injury

A fall, heavy lift, twisting injury, or sudden force can cause a disc to rupture or aggravate an existing weakness.

Here is where confusion often arises:
Insurance carriers sometimes argue that a worker’s condition is “just degeneration” or “wear and tear.”

But under Alabama workers’ compensation law, if you were performing your job duties without limitation and a work accident aggravates or worsens an underlying condition, the injury is generally compensable. Workers’ compensation is not limited to people in perfect health.

Conservative Treatment vs. Surgery

Most disc injuries are initially treated conservatively:

• Physical therapy
• Medication
• Injections
• Activity modification

Sometimes the disc settles down. Sometimes it does not. When nerve compression persists or weakness develops, surgery may become necessary.

Many workers return to work after treatment—though sometimes with restrictions. Others, depending on age, education, and physical job demands, may not be able to return to the same line of work.

Not Every Back Injury Feels Serious at First

One of the most common problems we see is this:

A worker feels back pain after lifting but assumes it is “just a strain.” They continue working. When the pain worsens weeks later, they report it—and are told they waited too long.

In Alabama, you generally have up to 90 days to provide notice of a work injury. Oral notice is legally valid, though written notice is always better.

If your pain does not improve, it is better to report the injury than to assume it will go away.

Spinal Cord Injuries vs. Disc Injuries

While most work-related spine cases involve discs and nerve compression, more severe trauma can involve the spinal cord itself, potentially leading to:

• Loss of sensation
• Paralysis
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Permanent neurological deficits

These cases are far more serious and often involve lifelong medical and vocational consequences.

Back and neck injuries are among the most common work injuries in Alabama. What feels like a muscle strain could be:

• A herniated disc
• An annular tear
• A nerve compression injury
• Or an aggravation of preexisting degeneration

The medical issues can be complicated. The legal issues can be just as complicated—especially when insurance carriers argue “wear and tear” instead of work-related trauma.

If you have suffered a spinal injury at work and your pain is not improving—or if you are being told your condition is simply “degenerative”—it may be wise to speak with someone who understands both the medical and legal aspects of spinal injury claims.

Your spine supports your entire body. Protecting your rights when it is injured matters just as much.

If you have suffered an injury to your spinal cord in a work injury or been denied in your application for Social Security Disability benefits related to spinal issues and you have questions about your rights, please do not hesitate to contact and speak with one of the experienced Alabama Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability Lawyers at Powell and Denny today for a free consultation; and remember, virtual appointments are available through Zoom so you can meet with one of the attorneys of Powell and Denny from wherever you live. And remember, there is no fee unless you win.

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Powell and Denny have been selected as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report for each of the last 9 years, have been selected as one of Birmingham’s Top Lawyers by B-Metro Magazine for the last 5 years, have been selected by The National Advocates as one of the Top 20 Workers’ Compensation Firms (plaintiffs) and Powell and Denny, P.C.-has been selected as one of the “Best of the Best” law firms by The American Registry and included in the list as one of the Mid-South’s Super Lawyers.

Mr. Denny is AV rated by Martindale Hubbard (the highest rating possible) and Mr. Powell has been rated as Superior by The National Registry

+ Powell and Denny have successfully represented injured workers from Birmingham, Huntsville, Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Athens, Decatur, Town Creek Ardmore, Hartselle, Madison, Toney, Scottsboro, Ft. Payne, New Hope, Guntersville, Albertville, Boaz, Ashville, Anniston, Gadsden, Cullman, Jasper, Gardendale, Morris, Kimberly, Centerpoint, Leeds, Tarrant City, Fairfield, Hueytown, Bessemer, Adger, Tuscaloosa, Cordova, Alabaster, Pelham, Harpersville, Opelika, Phenix City, Montgomery, Clanton, Calera, Enterprise, Monroeville, Mobile, Evergreen, Centreville, Brent, West Blocton, Woodstock, Brierfield, Lakeview and towns and cities in between.

Spinal Cord and Disc Injuries: What Alabama Workers Should Know