Bulging Disc Workers Compensation Settlement UK

By Marlon Marquardt. Last Updated 28th November 2022. You may have landed on this page because you’ve been looking for how much a bulging disc workers’ compensation settlement in the UK could be. It could be because you or someone you know has suffered this type of injury at work. 

Whether you’ve sustained a bulging disc in an accident at work such as a fall from a height, or due to a lack of training in how to lift or handle a load safely, this guide could be useful to you.

What Is The Average Payout For A Bulging Disc?

In the sections below, we discuss how much bulging disc workers’ compensation could be recovered, as well as answer questions regarding the seriousness of such injuries, how they could affect you and how they could be caused by your job. 

We also look at how a personal injury solicitor could help you get compensation if your employer’s negligence to workplace health and safety has led to this type of injury. If you’d like advice tailored to your specific situation or would like help connecting with a lawyer that could help you with a personal injury claim against your employer, we’d be glad to help you.

Simply call us today on 0800 408 7825.

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A Guide On Bulging Disc Workplace Compensation Settlements

If you’ve had an accident at work that was not your fault due to your employer’s negligence in ensuring your safety and health at work, you may be able to seek a bulging disc workers compensation settlement if you’ve sustained this kind of injury.

Bulging disc workers compensation settlement guide

Bulging disc workers compensation settlement guide

This guide takes you through the process of making such a claim. Below, we answer questions such as:

  • What is a bulging disc injury?
  • How could my work cause such an injury?
  • Is a bulging disc serious?
  • Is a bulging disc classed as a disability?
  • What happens if I have a bulging disc; is a return to work possible?
  • How much compensation do you get for a bulging disc?
  • Would a bulging disc in the neck compensation settlement be the same as a bulging disc in the back settlement?

We also explain how this kind of injury could lead to you making a personal injury claim against your employer for the pain and suffering you’ve experienced. We’ll also look at other damages that could be included in a bulging disc workers compensation settlement.

What Are Bulging Disc Injuries?

If you are wondering ‘What is the average payout for a herniated disc?’ we should mention that a herniated disc is different to a slipped disc. When it comes to the average payout for a back injury of this type, a bulging disc workers compensation settlement could depend on the type and severity of the injury, and how it has affected you. We should therefore clarify what symptoms you could suffer and how severe they could be.

The spinal column is made out of discs, separated by cushions of soft tissue. Contrary to what many people feel happens when people suffer a slipped or bulging disc, it is not the disc itself that is pushed out of place. Instead, a bulging disc occurs when the soft tissue that cushions the vertebrae in the back or neck is pushed out. This cushion could press on nerves, and if it does it could cause a range of symptoms, such as:

  • Pain (in the back or neck, but sometimes radiating down the arms and legs)
  • Weakness
  • Numbness
  • Tingling

While some cases of bulging discs get better over time with painkillers, gentle exercise and rest, in other cases, such injuries could have long-term effects.

What Is The Difference Between A Slipped And Herniated Disc?

While with a slipped disc, the tough outer layer of cartilage is the only part that is involved, a herniated disc occurs when this outer layer cracks and the softer inner cartilage protrudes through the crack. A herniated disc is thought to be more likely to cause pain than a slipped disc, but both conditions could cause a person to experience inflammation and pain.

Calculating The Average Payout For A Bulging Disc Injury

Unfortunately, we cannot provide the average compensation for a herniated disc as every claim is different.

If you make a successful claim, compensation for the pain and suffering that your injury has caused you will be awarded under general damages.

Many factors can affect your general damages payout. For example, supporting evidence in the form of medical reports, photos of your injuries or personal testimony can help determine your compensation award.

In England & Wales, the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) is also used by legal professionals to help value general damages. We have included a table below that shows you the JCG listings for disc injuries and other related injuries. This could show you what your settlement for a bulging disc could look like, but the figures shown are not guaranteed as every case is different.

Edit
Injury Further Notes Compensation Bracket
Neck injury Severe (i) In the region of £148,330
Neck injury Severe (ii) £65,740 to £130,930
Neck injury Severe (iii) £45,470 to £55,990
Neck injury Moderate (i) £24,990 to £38,490
Neck injury Moderate (ii) £13,740 to £24,990
Neck injury Moderate (iii) £7,890 to £13,740
Neck injury Minor Up to £7,890
Back injury Severe (ii) £74,160 to £88,430
Back injury Severe (iii) £38,780 to £69,730
Back injury Moderate (i) £27,760 to £38,780
Back injury Moderate (ii) £12,510 to £27,760
Back injury Minor Up to £12,510

Your bulging disc compensation could also potentially include special damages, which is discussed in the section below.

Get in touch with our advisers to receive a personalised estimate or for more information on compensation payouts for disc injuries.

To learn more about compensation for suffering from a bulging disc or worker’s compensation, get in touch at any time.

What is the Average Payout for a Herniated Disc in 2022?

When seeking herniated disc compensation, it isn’t just pain and suffering that you may be able to claim for. You may also be able to claim for financial losses caused by the injury. These are referred to as special damages.

Potential losses you may be able to claim for include:

  • Loss of earnings – If you’re unable to work due to the injury and have been financially impacted by this, you could claim for loss of earnings. If your injury is permanent or long-term, you may be able to claim for future loss of earnings.
  • Medical costs – You could claim back the cost of prescriptions or the cost of medical care.
  • Travel costs – If you’re unable to drive because of the injury, you may be able to claim for taxi expenses or public transport costs.
  • Care costs – You may require a private nurse to help with your recovery. If so, you could claim this back as part of special damages.
  • Home adjustments – If, for example, you’re suffering mobility issues and need to install a stairlift because of the injury, you could claim the cost of this back.

To be able to claim for special damages, you will need sufficient financial evidence to prove the value of the losses. This could include payslips, invoices, bank statements and receipts.

Since there are two heads of claim that could be included in your final payout, we’re unable to provide you with an average payout for a herniated disc. This is because every claim is unique and the amount you could receive can be based on many different factors. To learn more about receiving compensation for a herniated disc, please contact us for free legal advice using the details above.

Special Damages – Other Examples

Whilst we have discussed both general damages and special damages, this section offers some more insight into additional special damages examples. You can find them below:

  • Damage to property – The accident that caused your injury may also have resulted in your personal property sustaining damage or even being destroyed. If so, the cost of these items being replaced or repaired could be included in a special damages payment.
  • Pre-paid expenditures – For example, you could have paid for theatre tickets or even a holiday that you now cannot make use of due to your injury. The cost of these expenditures could be returned to you as part of your claim.
  • Future losses – If your injury is very severe, then it could be that you are prevented from ever returning to work. If so, then the amount you could have earned until the date of your retirement could be calculated and awarded to you. You could also potentially be compensation for calculable future losses other than income.

If you have any questions about special damages and general damages then our advisors are always here to help in any way we can. Get in touch today.

How Could A Bulging Disc Injury Be Caused By A Workplace Accident?

A workplace accident could lead to someone claiming bulging disc workers compensation if it could be proved that the accident could have been avoided by the employer taking reasonable care to protect employees from harm. 

Falls from height are one accident that could cause a person to suffer this type of injury. If, for example, you’ve suffered this injury when you’ve fallen from ladders that were not fit for the job you were expected to use them for, this could lead to a claim. 

However, you could also suffer this type of injury while carrying out jobs where your employer has not:

  • Trained you in how to do your job safely (e.g given you manual handling training)
  • Risk assessed your job
  • Provided tools to help make the job safer
  • Expected you to lift something alone that was too heavy

These are just a few examples. If you would like to know if your bulging disc injury could be your employer’s fault, we would be happy to assess your claim for free to see if you could be eligible to claim compensation.

Types Of Workplace Activities Which Could Cause Injuries

The HSE has revealed that many causes of back pain in the workplace could often be attributed to:

  • Lifting heavy/bulky loads
  • Carrying things awkwardly
  • Pulling, pushing or dragging loads
  • Repetitive jobs
  • Reaching, twisting or stretching
  • Manual handling jobs in awkward or confined spaces
  • Stooping, crouching or bending
  • Working when overtired (physically)

Which Industries Could I Suffer A Bulging Disc That’s Work-Related?

According to the HSE, the industries that report the highest numbers of musculoskeletal disorders related to work include human health and social work, agriculture, and construction. 

However, such an injury could occur in many other industries too. If you sustain a back injury that you believe is work-related then it could be a good idea for you to see a doctor so that you can benefit from advice as to how to treat it for optimal recovery.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Bulging Or Herniated Disc?

The symptoms of a bulging disc injury could vary depending on where the injury is sited. Most injuries of this type happen in the lower back and neck and could produce symptoms such as:

  • Pain – pain could present in the lower back or neck, but in some cases, it could radiate down the limbs. The pain may be worse when standing, walking, bending, sitting for long periods and lifting but it may also get worse at night.
  • Weakness in the limbs/area of injury – if the nerves are involved, you may experience weakness. This could also happen in cases where the nerves are compressed or inflamed
  • Tingling of the limbs/area of injury

Am I Eligible for Bulging Disc Compensation?

Now this guide has answered questions like, “what is the average payout for a herniated disc?”, this section will now go into more detail about claim eligibility. In order to claim compensation against your employer for an injury, you need to show that your injury was caused by their negligence.

This means showing that your injury was the result of your employer breaching their duty of care, which is established in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Furthermore, you would also need to claim within the required time limit. In most standard cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to begin the compensation claim. However, there are exceptions to consider:

  • In some instances, symptoms may not manifest for a while after the accident. If this is the case, you could use the date of knowledge (when you became aware of your injuries or that they were tied to negligence) as the start date of your 3 years.
  • If you suffer an injury as a child, you have three years from when you turn eighteen to begin claiming. A claim can potentially be started before this time if a litigation friend is appointed.
  • If a loved one wants to claim but lacks the mental capacity to do so, not only does the time limit freeze, but a litigation friend can be appointed to claim on their behalf. However, if they regain mental capacity, they would then have three years from that date to claim.

If you still have questions, such as, “how much compensation do you get for a herniated disc?”, please contact us for free to see if you’re eligible to claim and to receive a compensation estimate.

No Win No Fee Bulging Disc Workplace Compensation Claims

Making a claim for bulging disc workers compensation could be something you’d like some help with. Many people opt for assistance from a personal injury lawyer when making a claim against their employer. However, it’s natural to have questions about the costs involved of going down that route.

There is a way to utilise the services of such a lawyer without having to pay them upfront. No Win No Fee claims work on the basis that you don’t pay any legal fees until your claim is successfully completed and the liable party has paid out on your claim. 

To begin a No Win No Fee claim, you’d sign a Conditional Fee Agreement, which would promise your solicitor a small success fee if they obtained compensation for you. The success fee would be capped by law. It usually represents a percentage of your eventual payout.

If your claim didn’t result in a settlement, then you wouldn’t have to settle the lawyer’s success fee, nor would you need to cover the costs incurred by the lawyer while they pursued your claim.

If you want to know where to find a lawyer that could take on your claim on this basis, we’d be happy to help. We could also answer any questions you may have about No Win No Fee Claims.

What Should I Do If I Suffered A Back Injury At Work?

If you suffer a back injury at work, there are some actions you could take to help yourself. These include:

  • Seeking medical advice – This could provide a record that you’ve sustained an injury, and it could also ensure you receive advice on how to manage your injury. For example, with a cervical herniated disc, work restrictions may be recommended as part of your recovery. This may mean your doctor has to sign you off work so you can recover.
  • Taking photographs – Evidence of how the accident occurred and caused your injury could involve taking photographs of the scene of an accident.
  • Getting details of witnesses – If anyone witnessed the accident, you may wish to take down their details. They could be approached to give a statement as part of your claim.
  • Speaking to a lawyer – If you’re intending on pursuing a claim to recover bulging disc workers compensation, it is not a legal requirement to have a lawyer. However, proving a bulging disc is work-related could be complicated, and a lawyer could help you build a strong case that your employer may find hard to refuse.

Begin Your Claim

Whether you’d like us to connect you with a lawyer who could help you claim or you have questions about the claims process, we could help. We offer free advice and could even provide an assessment of your eligibility to claim for free. 

To get in touch with our expert team, simply:

Quick References

Slip Trip And Fall Claims – You may have injured your back in a slip, trip or fall accident. If you have, this guide could be useful.

Accidents In Public Places – If accidents in a public place have led you to suffer a back injury, this guide could give you information about making public injury claims of this type.

Personal Injury Lawyers – Whether you’re looking to make public accident claims because you’ve been injured in a public place, or workplace accidents that caused you to suffer injuries, using personal injury lawyers could be a good idea. This guide explains how they could help.

Physiotherapy Services– If you’re looking for physiotherapy treatment, you could find someone to help you here.

The Back Pain Treatment Pathway– This article on the NHS website discusses the back pain pathway.

Here are some other guides you may find useful:

 

Guide by OE

Edited by II