Workplace accidents can lead to neck injuries. Although you may think that a simple crack in your neck will disappear without treatment, it can cause persistent pain that can make it impossible for you to perform your work duties or even force you to take days off work and spend money for your treatment. If you suffer a serious injury, you may need to go through surgery. And while you can claim workers’ compensation under the law, it comes with some challenges. Because of this, you need to get help from an experienced workers’ comp attorney.
Common Challenges You May Face when Pursuing Workers’ Compensation for a Neck Injury
If you are filing workers’ compensation for a neck injury, your employer or their insurance provider may dispute it. This can happen if you sustained the injury while performing a routine task. Under the law, workers’ compensation does not cover health concerns that arise because of repetitive motions. For instance, you may get compensation for whiplash than a neck strain that develops after years of working.
If you are not sure about whether you sustained a compensable neck injury, consult with an attorney. To get the due compensation you need, you must establish that it resulted from your work duties. Your lawyer can help you effectively establish this. In addition, the amount of workers’ compensation settlement you may get for a neck injury depends on different factors including the seriousness of your injury, the expenses incurred, and its effect on your work.
Kinds of Neck Injuries
- Whiplash. This injury occurs due to a violent back-and-forth movement of your head and neck. Typically, this takes place during a car accident and a slip and fall accident. Management of this injury involves undergoing physical therapy and taking medications.
- Herniated disc. This injury causes pain and backbone instability. Also, it can result in impinged nerve root that leads to serious pain, weakness, and numbness.
- Neck fracture. This injury requires initial care. To keep your neck stable, you will need a metal neck brace. Treating neck fractures can include traction, cervical bone surgery, and a rigid cast.
Other compensable neck injuries include neck lacerations or wounds. Cervical dislocation, neck sprain, and neck stinger. Apart from the medical expenses, you must also consider other economic losses like your lost wages and reduced capacity to work. Also, you can claim for non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
