Your MRI Shows a Disc Problem. Here's What That Actually Means for Your Claim

Insurance companies treat "bulging disc" and "herniated disc" very differently—even though both can cause the same pain. That difference could be worth $50,000 or more.

What's the Difference Between a Bulging Disc and a Herniated Disc?

This is one of the most confusing things about back injuries, so let's break it down simply.

A bulging disc is like a hamburger patty that's too big for the bun—it's sticking out around the edges, but it's still in one piece. Bulging discs are actually pretty common. Studies show that 30-40% of people with absolutely no back pain have bulging discs on their MRI. Insurance companies know this, and they'll use it against you.

A herniated disc is different. It's like a jelly donut that got squeezed too hard—the jelly (the soft center of your disc) has actually pushed through the outer layer. This is real structural damage, not just normal wear and tear.

Why does this matter for your claim? Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize bulging discs as "something you probably already had." A herniated disc is much harder for them to dismiss because it represents an actual injury, not just aging.

How Do I Know Which One I Have?

Your MRI report will tell you, but the language can be confusing. Here's a quick guide:

Words that suggest a LESS serious finding: - "Disc bulge" or "bulging disc" - "Broad-based protrusion" - "Mild disc desiccation" (this just means your disc is drying out a bit—normal with age) - "No significant canal stenosis"

Words that suggest a MORE serious finding: - "Disc herniation" or "disc extrusion" - "Nerve root impingement" (the disc is pressing on a nerve) - "Foraminal narrowing" (the opening where nerves exit is getting smaller) - "Sequestered fragment" (a piece of disc has actually broken off)

Here's something important: sometimes your MRI report uses serious-sounding words, but your doctor's notes use generic codes like "low back pain." That mismatch can cost you money. The insurance company sees the generic code and offers less.

When Is a Disc Injury More Serious?

Not all disc injuries are created equal. Here are the signs that yours might be on the more serious end:

Pain that travels: If your pain shoots down your leg (for a lower back disc) or down your arm (for a neck disc), that's a sign the disc is pressing on a nerve. This is called radiculopathy, and it's a bigger deal than just localized back pain.

Numbness, tingling, or weakness: These are nerve symptoms. If you're dropping things, your foot feels "asleep," or you have trouble walking normally, that's objective evidence of nerve involvement.

It's affecting your daily life: Can't sit through a movie? Can't stand long enough to cook dinner? Waking up multiple times a night? Can't do your job? These functional limitations matter.

Treatment keeps escalating: If you started with physical therapy, then needed injections, and now they're talking about surgery—that progression tells a story about how serious your injury is.

Important: If you ever have sudden loss of bladder or bowel control along with back pain, that's a medical emergency. Go to the ER immediately.

Why Do Insurance Companies Try to Blame "Pre-Existing Conditions"?

This is one of the most frustrating things about disc injury claims. You get in an accident, your back starts hurting, you get an MRI, and the insurance company says "well, you had some degeneration already, so this isn't really from the accident."

Here's what they don't want you to know: having some wear and tear on your spine is completely normal, especially after age 30. But there's a huge difference between having a worn disc that doesn't bother you and having a worn disc that's now causing debilitating pain because an accident pushed it over the edge.

The legal term for this is the "eggshell plaintiff" rule. It basically means that if you were more vulnerable to injury because of a pre-existing condition, the person who hurt you is still responsible for the full extent of your injuries. They take you as they find you.

So if you had a disc that was a little worn but never caused problems, and now after the accident you're in constant pain—that's on them, not you.

What Should I Do to Protect My Claim?

If you think you have a disc injury, here are some practical steps:

See a specialist. Emergency rooms are great for emergencies, but they're not set up to thoroughly evaluate back injuries. An orthopedic doctor or neurologist can give you a proper diagnosis with the right codes.

Be specific about your symptoms. Don't just say "my back hurts." Tell your doctor exactly where it hurts, whether it travels anywhere, whether you have numbness or tingling, and how it affects your daily activities. These details matter.

Don't downplay it. A lot of people try to tough it out or don't want to seem like they're complaining. But if you tell your doctor "it's not that bad" when it actually is, that goes in your records—and the insurance company will use it against you.

Get your MRI report. You have a right to your medical records. Get a copy of the actual MRI report (not just what your doctor told you) and compare it to the diagnosis codes in your treatment records. If there's a mismatch, that's worth discussing with your doctor.

Don't have big gaps in treatment. If you're hurting, get treatment. If you stop going to the doctor for months and then start again, insurance companies will argue you must not have been that hurt.

Injury Code Scanner

Select where it hurts to see potential ICD-10 codes in your medical records.

Understanding ICD-10 Code M51.2

M51.2 - Disc displacement (herniated disc). This is the code doctors use when the soft cushion between your spine bones has actually pushed out of place. Think of it like a jelly donut that got squeezed—the jelly (the soft center of your disc) has pushed through the outer layer. This is different from a bulge, where the disc is just swelling but still intact.

How much is a herniated disc case worth?

It varies a lot depending on your specific situation. Cases that don't require surgery but have documented herniation typically settle in the $30,000-$75,000 range. If you needed surgery, that range jumps to $100,000-$250,000 or more. Cases with permanent nerve damage or failed surgeries can exceed $300,000. These are ranges we've observed—your case could be different based on your specific circumstances.

Can a car accident actually cause a herniated disc?

Absolutely. The forces involved in a car accident—even a "minor" one—can cause a disc to herniate. And even if you had some disc degeneration before the accident (which most adults do), the accident can turn a disc that wasn't causing problems into one that's now causing serious pain. You're not disqualified from compensation just because your spine wasn't perfect before.

The insurance company says my disc problem is "degenerative." What does that mean?

They're trying to say your disc problem is from aging, not from the accident. But here's the thing: almost everyone over 30 has some disc degeneration. The question isn't whether you had some wear and tear before—it's whether the accident caused your current symptoms. If you weren't having back problems before the accident and now you are, the accident is likely responsible.

Do I need surgery to have a good herniated disc claim?

No. While surgical cases typically settle for more, you can still have a significant claim without surgery. What matters is the documented severity of your herniation, whether you have nerve involvement, how long you've needed treatment, and how the injury has affected your life and work. Plenty of non-surgical disc cases settle for $50,000 or more.

My MRI shows a "bulging disc." Is that worth anything?

It can be, but it's trickier. Insurance companies know that bulging discs are common and often don't cause symptoms. The key is whether your bulging disc is actually causing your pain and whether it was caused or worsened by the accident. If you have nerve symptoms, consistent treatment, and documentation that you didn't have these problems before, a bulging disc claim can still have value.

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