Epidural steroid injection and other types of steroid injections are common medical treatments used to reduce inflammation and provide immediate relief in specific areas of the body. These treatments are often administered to victims who suffer from serious neck pain or back pain, especially after a car accident.

Many victims who undergo this treatment may be owed compensation. However, there's no fixed value attached to this type of settlement. Keep reading to understand how steroid injections affect settlements and when you should contact a New Orleans personal injury lawyer. 

Key Takeaways

• Receiving epidural steroid injections doesn’t automatically increase your settlement. However, factors like the injury’s severity and the number of injections can lead to a higher payout.
• Depending on your case, you may be owed compensation for your medical bills, future medical care, and pain and suffering.
• If you're filing a steroid injection settlement, an experienced lawyer can help you secure fair compensation.

How Much Does Steroid Injection Increase Settlements?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident or other personal injury accident and receive an epidural injection, that doesn’t automatically mean your settlement will increase by a set amount. When thinking about the potential increase in your settlement, it's important to know that there are factors that can affect your personal injury settlement value:

• The severity of your injury
• How many and how often you receive injections
• The strength of your medical records as evidence of your injury and its severity
• The quality of your legal representation
• Clear evidence that your injury is severe
• Increased medical bills due to your treatment
• A proven need for further care. 

When the factors above are properly documented, they can help show how much your injury has impacted your life and why you may be owed more.

Common Settlement Amounts

Steroid injections tend to be present in the same types of injury cases. Some of the most common traumatic injuries treated with these injections, along with their typical settlement amounts, are detailed below.

Herniated Discs

A herniated disc injury is one of the most common reasons why doctors recommend epidural steroid injections. This type of injury often leads to serious neck and back pain, or even chronic pain. Common settlements for this injury include:

• Conservative Treatment (PT, Chiropractic, NSAIDs) – Estimated value can be as low as $4,500 and as high as  $35,000
• Steroid Injections (1-3 injections, no surgery) – Estimated value can be as low as $20,000 and as high as $110,000
• Multiple Steroid Injections (4+ injections) – Estimated value can be as low as $70,000 and as high as $250,000
• Surgery (Discectomy, Decompression, Fusion, etc.) – Estimated value can be as low as $120,000 and as high as $500,000+

Rotator Cuff Injuries

These shoulder injuries can vary widely, from minor tears to full-thickness rotator cuff ruptures. For this type of injury, steroid injections are often used before surgery or physical therapy. The average settlement for this injury ranges from $30,000 to $150,000. But, depending on the severity and circumstances of your injury, settlement can be as low as $5,000 or as high as seven figures. To get a proper idea of your settlement value, it's important you speak to a personal injury lawyer.

What Types of Compensation May You Be Owed?

If you’ve been injured because of someone else’s actions, you're allowed to seek compensation for your losses, as well as compensation for wrongdoing, through a personal injury claim. Typically, this compensation is split into three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

Economic Damages

These are the financial costs that come with your injury. They’re usually backed up by receipts, invoices, or official records. Common examples of these damages include:

• Property damage
• Medical expenses
• Lost wages from missed work
• Future medical needs, physical therapy sessions, or rehabilitation costs
• Reduced ability to earn money long-term

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages cover the emotional and personal toll an injury takes on your life. These are harder to measure in financial terms, but they’re just as important as financial losses. These damages can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Loss of companionship or guidance

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are usually awarded to punish the at-fault party for conduct that goes beyond ordinary negligence. They’re typically awarded in rare cases where someone acted with intentional harm or extreme recklessness. While Louisiana courts don’t often grant punitive damages, they may apply in situations involving willful misconduct or clear violations of public safety.

Signs You May Have a Herniated Disc

Because of the severe pain that often comes with a herniated disc, many people rely on steroid injections for relief. If you're wondering whether you might be dealing with a herniated disc, here are some signs to look out for:

• You feel pain in your lower back that shoots down into your legs, or neck pain radiating down your shoulders or arms.
• You notice numbness or tingling in your arms, legs, or buttocks, often described as pins and needles.
• You find it difficult to walk normally: maybe you're limping, dragging one foot, or favoring one side because of discomfort or weakness.
• You’re experiencing sudden muscle weakness or having trouble gripping, lifting, or holding objects like you normally would.
• You feel reduced sensation or sensitivity in certain areas, especially around the back, arms, or legs.

Even if you don’t feel immediate pain after an accident, that doesn’t mean that you haven’t suffered an injury. It’s important to seek medical attention to ensure your rights to any compensation are protected.

Do You Need a Lawyer To Get an Epidural Steroid Injection Settlement?

If you’ve received steroid injections as treatment for a personal injury, you need a personal injury lawyer, especially if you plan to file a lawsuit. Even for insurance claims, consulting an attorney is important to protect your rights and whatever compensation you may deserve. It’s also worth considering that injuries are incredibly expensive, and insurance companies and businesses often have high-powered lawyers working to limit payouts. A lawyer can help you get the financial relief you need, fighting for your rights in settlement negotiations and a court of law, if needed.

What to Do Next After a Herniated Disc Injury

After a personal injury involving steroid injection treatment, you’re probably wondering about how much that added treatment will increase your payout. While there isn’t a straightforward answer, getting help from legal professionals can help ensure you get whatever you deserve.

If you're filing for a steroid injection settlement or seeking compensation, it’s important to work with an experienced lawyer. At Cardone Law Firm, our skilled Louisiana personal injury attorney can guide you through the process and do all they can to fight to secure the fair compensation you deserve. Contact us today for legal help.

Get legal help with your steroid injection car accident settlement by contacting Cardone Law Firm today for a free consultation.