Getting hurt at work is never fun, and a neck injury can be one of the toughest to deal with.
The C5 and C6 discs sit in your cervical spine, and when they herniate, they can cause a lot of pain, weakness, and long-term problems. That’s why workers’ compensation settlements for these injuries can sometimes reach big numbers.
In this post, we’ll break down the average workers comp settlements for herniated C5 and C6 disc injuries.
Average Workers Comp Settlement For Herniated C5 And C6 Disc
The average workers comp settlement for herniated C5 and C6 disc is around $25,000 to $200,000 depending on how severe the injury is.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Non-surgical cases: $25,000 – $60,000
- Surgical case: $60,000 – $150,000+
- Severe or permanent disability cases: $200,000+
For non-surgical cases where you only need therapy, injections, or medications, the average usually lands somewhere around $25,000 to $60,000.
These cases often settle on the lower end because the costs don’t stack up as much, and many people make a decent recovery.
Now, if you need surgery like a discectomy or spinal fusion, the settlement number jumps significantly. Surgical cases often settle in the $60,000 to $150,000 range, sometimes higher.
Also Read: How Long For Settlement After IME?
Surgery is expensive, recovery takes longer, and the chance of long-term restrictions is much greater.
Then there are the really serious situations. If you’re permanently disabled or unable to return to work at all, the value of your claim can go way past $200,000.
What Affects Herniated C5 And C6 Disc Settlement Amounts?
Now let’s talk about the things that really make a difference in your settlement.
These factors shape the final number and explain why two people with the same injury might walk away with totally different outcomes:
#1 Your Medical Treatment
Medical treatment is usually the biggest driver of settlement value.
If your herniated C5 or C6 disc can be managed with just physical therapy, rest, or occasional injections, your costs stay on the lower side.
But when doctors recommend surgery, things change fast.
A spinal fusion or disc replacement isn’t just expensive up front, it often comes with follow-up visits, imaging, pain management, and even the risk of needing another surgery down the road.
All of that future care is factored into a settlement.
The more involved your treatment is, the more your case is usually worth.
#2 Permanent Impairment Rating
After you reach MMI, your doctor assigns a permanent impairment rating.
Think of this rating as a scorecard that shows how much lasting damage the injury left behind.
A low rating means you healed up well and don’t have many long-term effects. A higher rating signals more serious damage, like ongoing pain, stiffness, or reduced mobility.
Insurance companies use this percentage to calculate how much compensation you’ll get for permanent disability, so it plays a huge role in the final number.
#3 Work Restrictions
Restrictions can change the entire outlook of your case.
Let’s say your job involves heavy lifting, climbing ladders, or repetitive movements with your arms. If your doctor says you can’t safely do those tasks anymore, it could mean you’re unable to return to your old role.
Even if you can still work, but only in a lighter-duty position, your earning power may drop.
That loss of income potential is exactly why restrictions usually boost settlement amounts.
#4 Wages You Lost
Time away from work adds up quickly.
Workers comp typically pays you a percentage of your average weekly wage while you’re recovering, but in a settlement, the total time you were out matters.
If you missed just a couple of weeks, it might not make much difference.
But missing several months (or being permanently unable to return) can increase your claim by a lot.
The longer you’re out and the more wages you’ve lost, the higher the settlement number goes.
Also Read: Reasons To Sue Workers’ Comp
#5 Your Age And Occupation
Age and occupation are two personal details that can really swing the value of your case.
A younger worker who still has 20 or 30 years left in the workforce may get more because the injury affects their long-term career path.
Someone older, closer to retirement, usually won’t see as high of a payout.
Occupation is just as important.
A desk worker might be able to return to their job more easily after a neck injury compared to a construction worker who needs to lift, twist, and bend all day.
If your job is physically demanding, your workers’ comp settlements for herniated C5 and C6 discs usually reflects the fact that you’ll face greater challenges going back.
#6 Vocational Rehabilitation
Sometimes a neck injury at C5 or C6 means you can’t go back to your old job at all.
In that case, workers comp might cover vocational rehabilitation, which helps you train for a new line of work. This can include career counseling, skills training, or even education to help you shift into a lighter-duty job
The costs of these services, plus the reality that you’re changing career paths because of the injury, raise the settlement value.
It shows that your injury didn’t just cause medical bills, it also reshaped your work life.
Also Read: How Much Does Workers Compensation Pay in California?
Bottom Line
Settlements for herniated C5 and C6 discs can range from $25,000 to $200,000.
The more serious your medical treatment, the bigger the impact on your ability to work, the higher your settlement will likely be.
It all comes down to your unique situation – your treatment plan, your recovery, and your job. No two cases are the same, and that’s why it’s always smart to talk with a workers comp lawyer who knows the system in your state.
They can help make sure you don’t leave money on the table.
