Herniated Disks & Disk Bulges

Several bones, called vertebrae, stack up to form your spine. Between each vertebrae exist small pillows of cartilage called disks. Sometimes, often following an accident or injury, the inner portion of a disk can bulge out into the spine and press on a nerve, causing pain, weakness or numbness in the back, neck, shoulder, arm or leg.

This injury is known by many names, including a herniated, slipped, ruptured or bulging disk injury. Disk problems can occur as a result of motor vehicle accidents, including crashes and rollovers, slip and fall accidents, and work-related accidents.

Pain, numbness, or weakness in the lower back, leg, neck, shoulder, chest or arm, particularly that which gets worse as you sit, cough or sneeze. Untreated, herniated disks can cause bowel or bladder incontinence.

Contact us if you’re suffering from a herniated, slipped, ruptured, or bulging disk. Call Altman & Altman at 617.492.3000 or 800.481.6199 (toll-free), or contact us online for a free consultation.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury is when a section of or the entire brain has been hurt. Injuries can be either closed (caused when the head is hit or struck) or open (caused when something punctures or breaks through the head).

There are many different areas where a brain injury can occur. Breaks or cracks in the bones of the head are skull fractures. When the brain moves within the skull or cranium, several injuries can happen. These include diffuse axonal injuries, which can affect the brain’s nerve fibers; contusions or concussions, which are brain bruises; and contrecoup injuries, seen when the brain has hit one side of the head and then the other. Blood clots in the head can include subdural hematoma, located between the brain tissue itself and the brain’s hard outer shell, or epidural hematoma, located between the bones of the skull and the brain’s outer shell.

Such injuries can happen after being involved in a motor vehicle accident (particularly while hitting the windshield), falling off a bicycle or a motorcycle and hitting the head on the ground, slipping and falling, being hit by heavy machinery, or other reasons.

Even if a person doesn’t show physical signs of being hurt, such as bleeding, wounds, or other trauma, the brain may still be injured and should be examined by a doctor immediately. Symptoms include nausea, confusion, irritability, seizures, headaches, and/or problems with vision, concentrating, remembering, problem solving, sleeping, or speaking.

Helping a person survive and live after a traumatic brain injury often involves extensive surgery, rehabilitation, ongoing medical care, and the use of sophisticated medical devices. Even with medical insurance, it can be a struggle to pay for medical and recovery costs. Altman & Altman will help you receive the compensation that you are owed.

If you or a loved one has dealt with a brain injury, call Altman & Altman at 617.492.3000 or 800.481.6199 (toll-free), or contact us online for a free consultation.