Bulging, herniated and slipped disc compensation claims

When can I claim slipped disc compensation?

Many different types of negligence can form the basis of a compensation claim: 

• A road traffic accident.
• A slip, trip or fall in a public or private place.
• Lifting objects at work without proper training, or where you should have had help.
• Other work-related causes, including falling from a height.
• Medical negligence, such as doctors missing the signs of a slipped disc.

You can usually claim slipped disc compensation if your injury was in the past three years. There would also need to be proof that someone else was partly or wholly at fault. If it's unclear who was to blame for your injury, please contact us and we can help establish the facts.

There is no financial risk when claiming on a no win no fee basis. There are no upfront charges and all the costs are covered for you during the case. You'll pay nothing at all if you lose. And if you win, your contribution to these costs will simply be deducted from your slipped disc compensation amount. Your solicitor will explain everything before you claim, with no hidden surprises. 

You can also claim on behalf of someone else if they are under 18, or if a physical or mental health condition means they can't claim themselves.

If you have any questions about claiming bulging disc compensation, contact us for free on or fill in our secure online form to arrange a call. You can take as much time as you need to tell us what happened, with no rush and no pressure to make a claim until you're ready.

What is a bulging, herniated or slipped disc?

Your spine is a series of bones called vertebrae. Between them, there are discs made of rubber-like material. These discs are what gives the spine its flexibility. 

Despite the name, a slipped disc doesn't really slip at all. Instead, part of the soft inner section of the disc bulges out through a weakness in the outer part. When this happens, the bulging disc can press on a nerve from the spinal cord. Inflammation and swelling of the disc can also put pressure on a nerve.

Most bulging discs happen in the lower back, although discs higher up the back and neck can also bulge. Wherever it happens, the result can be severe pain. Many daily tasks can be difficult or even impossible until you recover.

A bulging disc can lead to many different symptoms, including:

• Back or neck pain
• Pain, numbness or tingling extending to your shoulders, arms, hands, legs or feet
• Difficulty straightening or bending your back 
• Muscle weakness
• Pain or difficulty walking even short distances

Many medical professionals and authorities (such as the NHS and Patient.info) use the phrases bulging disc, slipped disc, herniated disc and prolapsed disc to describe the same thing. Others make a distinction between them, such as the Mayo Clinic who classify a herniated/slipped disc as more serious than a bulging disc.

What causes a bulging, herniated or slipped disc?

Even quite minor events such as sneezing or bending in an awkward way can cause a bulging disc. Ageing, being generally inactive or exercising too hard are other factors.

Sometimes however, a bulging disc can happen in an accident. Sudden, jarring motions can cause discs to bulge and squeeze nerves. This features in many types of accident that lead to bulging disc compensation awards:

Slips, trips and falls

This type of accident is a common cause of a bulging disc due to the physical impact involved. Whether it's due to a poorly maintained pavement, a liquid spillage in a shop or other causes, slip, trip or fall compensation may help with your recovery.

Sports injuries

A bulging disc can also happen in a sports-related accident. You accept some degree of risk when you take part in sport. But sometimes an accident or injury was avoidable. Negligence such as unsafe facilities or dangerous conduct by others may have played a part in your accident.

Accidents at work

Workplace accidents are a common cause of disc injuries. It's not just very physical jobs that lead to a bulging disc at work. For example, manual handling injuries as a result of lifting or moving even everyday objects can happen in just about every type of job. 

Medical negligence

Cases of medical negligence can cause a bulging disc, or make an existing problem worse than it should have been. Missing the signs of a slipped disc is one example, along with failing to carry out the right investigations based on your symptoms.

Road traffic accidents

A bulging disc is a type of back injury that drivers and passengers often suffer in a car accident. The huge amount of force often involved can cause damage to one or more discs.

This is why we see so many bulging disc car accident compensation claims. These claims are often successful in winning compensation for herniated disc. Car accidents at even quite low speeds can have enough impact to cause a disc to herniate/bulge. 

Motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians also suffer back injuries in car accidents. They can often claim slipped disc car accident compensation when the car driver was at fault.

What are some common causes of a slipped disc at work?

Employer's negligence often leads to a bulging disc workers compensation settlement. UK businesses should comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act and other health and safety legislation. But a wide range of accidents still happen:  

Manual handling. Employers have a duty of care to ensure that you are able to lift or move people or heavy objects in a safe way. Laws such as the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are there for your protection. For example, employers should provide you with suitable instruction, training and equipment.

Falling from a height. It's no surprise that falling from a height often leads to back injuries and slipped disc at work claims. The Work at Height Regulations and the Working at height guide from the HSE clarify what's required of employers. Despite this, sometimes they don't meet their responsibilities for ensuring their workers' safety.

Other accidents. Manual handling and falls from height aren't the only accidents that might cause a slipped disc at work. Claims for compensation arise from other accidents involving impact to the spine. Examples include accidents with a forklift or other vehicle, a farm accident, or a slip, trip or fall.

Repetitive strain. Another potential cause of a slipped disc is repetitive movement and strain. Employers should assess and minimise the risk of injury from jobs involving repetitive work. There is advice from the NHS, Bupa and others on ways to avoid this type of injury. If your employer didn't manage the risk, you may be able to make a herniated disc at work compensation claim.

Were you injured in an accident at work?

Are you suffering after a workplace accident and looking to claim for a bulging disc workers compensation settlement? UK employers have a legal duty to keep you safe, and some key questions to ask are:

• Were you made to lift heavy objects with no help from colleagues or lifting equipment?
• Were you lifting without receiving proper manual handling training?
• Were you working at height and fell because insufficient safety measures were in place?
• Was no risk assessment madefor a task you were doing?
• Were you doing something dangerous without suitable supervision or monitoring?

If the answer to any of these questions is ‘YES', you may have a case for herniated disc at work compensation. UK health and safety regulations mean that the above safety measures should be in place. If they weren't, you may have a right to seek compensation.   

To start a claim for slipped, herniated or bulging disc workers compensation, call us for free now on or request a call back. We'll ask about what happened and, if you're eligible to claim, we'll connect you with specialist solicitors.

Bulging discs and medical negligence

You may be able to make a bulging disc compensation claim if you have suffered due to medical negligence. These are cases where medical professionals fall short of a standard that you could reasonably expect from them.

Doctors may miss the signs of a slipped disc or diagnose it as something else. This may include failing to perform appropriate investigations based on your symptoms.

Another form of medical negligence is a delay in treating a slipped disc, which goes on to cause a more serious problem. For example, a bulging disc can compress a group of nerve roots called the cauda equina. A delay in spotting this can lead to the development of cauda equina syndrome.

Mistakes like this could form the basis of a herniated disc compensation claim. If you suspect that has happened with you, please call us on  or request a call back for advice and support.

What is the treatment for a bulging disc?

Over-the-counter painkillers, rest and exercise may be all that's needed to recover from a back injury. If your pain doesn't go away, your GP may give you stronger painkillers, a muscle relaxant or a steroid injection. If these treatment options don't manage the symptoms, you may need surgery. 

Other treatment includes physiotherapy and osteopathy. Needing this treatment is one reason you may seek a bulging disc compensation payout. UK NHS resources are often stretched, so private care may might be the only way to get the treatment you need.

Herniated disc compensation may cover the expense of private treatment. It can ease long term financial worries as you recover from your injury.

How much could I receive for my bulging disc compensation claim?

A successful bulging disc compensation payout might be made in one or both of these categories: 

Special damages are financial losses you experience as a direct result of your injury. This could include lost earnings, and the cost of any medical treatment, care or support you need. 

General damages cover pain, suffering and ‘loss of amenity'. This means the impact that your injury has on your ability to do things such as everyday tasks and hobbies. 

The government's Judicial College issues guidelines for levels of general damages compensation. Herniated disc compensation amounts will vary from claim to claim. However, these examples from the guidelines show potential herniated disc claim amounts:

For an idea of a bulging, slipped, prolapsed or herniated disc compensation amount for your injury, try our compensation calculator. To find out more or make a bulging disc compensation claim, call us for free on . Or if you prefer, you can fill in our secure online form to arrange a call back at a time that suits you.

How is a bulging disc compensation claim paid for?

At National Accident Helpline we specialise in no win no fee claims.  This means that if your case isn't successful, you have nothing to pay. It removes financial risk from claiming the compensation you deserve.

You only pay anything if your claim is a success. Depending on your claim type and the value, if you win your case the other side will be required to contribute towards your legal costs and expenses. Part of your compensation award would fund any shortfall in their contribution.

The legal costs that need to be covered may include an insurance policy taken out to ensure your claim is financially risk free. This is known as ‘After the Event insurance' (ATE). Any legal costs including fixed fees which are not met by the other side may also need to be covered. There may also be a ‘success fee' for winning your claim. 

Your lawyer will explain and discuss how much you'll pay before you start of your claim, so you'll know what to expect right from the outset.

If you don't win your case, there's nothing to pay. If you win your claim, you'll have the money you deserve to help get you back on track with your recovery. It really is no win no fee, with no hidden surprises.

How do I start my bulging disc compensation claim with National Accident Helpline?

You could be entitled to compensation if your injury was wholly or partly someone else's fault. We can provide advice and an initial assessment. If we believe you may have a case for compensation, we'll put you in touch with a solicitor specialising in personal injury claims. 

We want you to get the compensation you deserve and starting your claim couldn't be simpler. Just call us on  or fill in our secure online form to arrange a call back at a time that suits you. You also have the opportunity to start your claim online with our claim online tool. It's the simplest and fastest way to determine if you are eligble to make a claim, and if you can start your claim online.