Spinal cord injuries often have lifelong consequences. If you have sustained a spinal cord injury at work, reach out to our spinal cord injury workers’ comp lawyer in Arlington Heights. Your future may depend on workers’ comp payments, and without representation, you may settle for far less than you deserve.
At Therman Law, our workers’ compensation lawyer in Arlington Heights will know how to handle the claims process and its challenges. We have served our community since 2002, helping thousands of clients and recovering over $100 million in compensation on their behalf.
Why You Need Experienced Representation After Sustaining a Spinal Cord Injury at Work
It may seem simple. You have been severely injured at work, and your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance is there to help you. However, dealing with insurance companies is seldom straightforward, and you may have difficulty recovering fair compensation.
Your claim will likely be substantial, and the higher the value of your claim, the more resistance you can expect to encounter. Given the nature of your injury, you will need every dollar you can recover, and you should be especially wary of early settlement offers.
Hiring an Arlington Heights personal injury lawyer is likely to result in better outcomes from your workers’ comp claim. In a situation as serious as yours, it is doubly important to get professional assistance, even if an insurance company has offered you what looks like an attractive lump sum.
Potential Long-Term Health Issues After a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries require hospitalization, and you may need multiple, highly specialized surgeries. Unfortunately, you may never regain complete function. If you do, the fastest recovery time possible would be around 3-6 months. An 18-month recovery time is more common. Long-term consequences include:
- Full or partial paralysis
- Loss of sensation
- Chronic pain
- Muscle stiffness or spasms
- Bladder and bowel problems
- Breathing issues
- Circulation and blood pressure issues
- Skin problems
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), full recovery from a severe spinal cord injury is comparatively rare. Patients will require physical therapy, and many may never recover full mobility below the level of the injury, even if it is an “incomplete” spinal cord injury.
Workers’ Compensation and Spinal Injuries
Workers’ compensation insurance taken out by your employer must pay work-related injury claims. You don’t have to show your employer was negligent in any way. The payments you receive from workers’ compensation insurance should cover:
Medical Care
When seeking medical care following a spinal cord injury in Arlington Heights, your workers’ compensation payments should pay all medical costs related to your injury, including the following:
- Doctor’s visits and hospitalization
- Emergency care and surgery
- Medical tests
- The cost of prescribed medications
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Medical equipment (for example, wheelchairs or crutches)
Since you may have long-term medical needs, you should not run the risk of accepting a settlement that may not cover your costs. Always speak with an experienced attorney before reviewing any settlement offer from an insurance company or an opposing attorney.
Wage Replacement
Wages you lost and may still lose after a spinal cord injury can also add up to a substantial amount. Workers’ compensation should help you with payments covering the following:
- Temporary total disability: You cannot work for a time
- Temporary partial disability: You cannot work as you did before, or must take a lower-paid job
- Permanent total disability: You will not be able to work at any type of job again
- Permanent partial disability: Permanent limitations affect your earning capacity
The amounts will be lower than what you previously earned. For total disability, you would usually recover about two-thirds of your previous weekly income. Consult Therman Law to determine what benefits you should receive.
What Our Spinal Cord Injury Workers’ Comp Attorney in Arlington Heights Does for You
Some workers’ comp claims are straightforward enough to handle on your own. Spinal cord injuries are much more serious, and you can expect pushback. You can rely on our workers’ comp attorney to help you by:
Handling the Entire Claims Process
The first step is to file your claim correctly and on time. To do so, we collect the necessary medical records, complete the claim form, and represent you in communications with your employer’s insurance company. Submitting accurate, complete paperwork helps to move the process forward.
Proving That Your Injury Occurred at Work
Insurance companies will look for gaps in our claim, and they may even argue that you did not sustain your injury at work. For example, if you were driving to see a client when your accident happened, they may say that you could have been attending to personal business instead. We will compile the evidence needed to show that your accident occurred at work.
Working With Doctors and Specialists to Get Full Documentation
Right after your accident, your situation is still evolving. Your lawyer will work with doctors and may even consult expert witnesses to demonstrate the severity of your injuries. Your benefits depend on these documents and an assessment of how your injury affects your ability to work.
Negotiating Fair Compensation
If you have already progressed with your claim and received what appears to be a large lump sum settlement offer, please talk to us first. Our Arlington Heights spinal cord injury workers’ comp attorney can let you know if it represents the actual value of your case. If it does not, they can work to negotiate a settlement that protects your future.
If the insurance company still fails to offer fair benefits payments that cover all your costs, your lawyer will represent you before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. They will attend hearings, present evidence, and work to win you the benefits you deserve.
Helping You Claim Other Benefits and Compensation
You may be eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits. Your lawyer can advise you on whether you will qualify and how to claim. Additionally, if a third party caused or contributed to your accident, our personal injury lawyer in Arlington Heights may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
Consult Us About Your Spinal Injury Workers’ Comp Claim as Soon as Possible
We know that you and your family are facing a traumatic experience right now. Therman Law offers you a free consultation to discuss your options and shape your expectations. If you are too unwell to travel, we will be happy to discuss your matter over a Zoom call.
Our spinal cord injury workers’ comp lawyer in Arlington Heights can act as your advocate, representing your rights while you focus on your health. Allow us to handle insurance adjusters and manage deadlines. Simply call us or fill out our website contact form to find out more.
