If you have been involved in a work-related accident that resulted in a back injury or have developed a back injury as a result of repeated stress related to your job, you may be able to seek compensation with the help of a workers’ comp attorney. In many cases, spinal surgery may also be required, which will result in additional lost wages and medical expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Work-Related Back Injuries
Common questions we often hear from workers who have suffered a back-related injury in the workplace include:
- How much compensation can I get for a back injury?
- How much can I claim for a back injury requiring surgery?
- How long does it take to receive compensation from a back injury?
Common Work-Related Back Injuries
There are several types of back injuries that can result from accidents or repeated stress over time. These common back injuries can include:
- Herniated, slipped, or bulging discs
- Lower back strain
- Pinched nerves
- Fractured vertebrae
- Spinal cord damage
Spinal Surgery Workers’ Comp Settlements
In some cases, more serious injuries may develop that require spinal surgery for full recovery, which can be costly and require more time off work, resulting in a combination of more expenses and lost wages. Procedures such as discectomies, percutaneous surgery, laminectomies, and lumbar spinal fusions can consist of long recovery periods and prevent the ability to return to work, but workers’ compensation for back injuries can help recover damages to cover these costs.
How Workplace Back Injuries Happen
There are several ways workers can injure their backs in work-related incidents. While some accidents can cause immediate injuries, such as those resulting from slip and falls, falling objects, or heavy equipment like forklifts, others can develop over time as a result of repeated work that puts stress on the back. Traveling for work in company vehicles can also result in mild to serious back injuries in the event of a traffic accident.
Regardless of the types of work-related injuries sustained, workers can file for compensation whether the injury is mild or severe, or whether it immediately or gradually displays symptoms.
Treatment for Work-Related Back Injuries
In many cases, workers will only require rest and relaxation for any back injuries sustained. However, some injuries will entail more treatment through the use of medication or cortisone, while others may require braces or other support devices to help stabilize the back. More serious back injuries may entail surgical procedures followed by potentially extensive rehabilitation.
Filing a Claim for Back Injuries in the Workplace
Although the workers’ comp system frightens many individuals due to a lack of information regarding how the process works, you can more easily navigate the process with the help of reliable attorneys. Illinois allows you to file a claim with either your lawyer or the state.
If you want to seek compensation from your employer, you will be required to provide them with a written description of what happened within 45 days of the accident, though this can be extended if the injury didn’t appear immediately following the incident. The employer can either choose to accept or reject the claim but will be required to give you a written description of the rule regardless. If the employer accepts the claim, they will be responsible for paying benefits and access to health care. On the other hand, if they deny the claim, you will need to appeal to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC). The IWCC will be able to investigate further.
Workers also have the ability to file a claim directly with the IWCC if they believe that their employer is likely to deny the claim. In these cases, you will also need to provide a written description of the incident within a specific window of time. The amount of information required in the description will depend on the details of the incident.
Work with Experienced and Dependable Back Injury Workers’ Comp Attorneys
If you’re injured in the workplace, there are several questions you’re probably asking, including:
- When can I go back to work?
- How will I be able to support myself and my family?
- How much compensation will I be able to recover through a workers’ compensation claim?
- When will I get paid to cover medical expenses
If you experience a back injury or another work-related injury or illness, you may be able to receive benefits to help you get the treatment you need for a full and successful recovery. Workers’ compensation can help pay for a variety of bills pertaining to your injury, including:
- Doctor visits
- Surgery
- Medication
- Rehabilitation
- Hospital stays
- Transportation to and from doctors’ appointments
- Medical equipment
At Cushing Law Offices, we can help answer these questions. Our experienced attorneys regularly provide representation for clients who have suffered from back injuries in the workplace along with many other kinds of injuries resulting from work-related accidents. We understand how detrimental an injury can be, leading to not only lost wages but a potentially permanent change to your life. This is why we work to help you get your life back on track with the help of our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys.
Get What You Need with a Dedicated Back Injury Workers’ Comp Firm
When you work with the professional team at Cushing Law Offices, we will file your back injury workers’ comp claim and provide representation in any negotiations. We will also stand with you in court if needed. Our attorneys understand how crucial it is to work on every aspect of your life that your injury has impacted.
We’ll provide an accurate assessment of how your injury has affected your life from health and finances to employment. We’ll then work with you to pursue the benefits you need. We can work with you to make sure you receive a fair settlement and that you are offered a sufficient amount of compensation to cover lost wages resulting from lost work along with required treatment.
Here at Cushing Law Offices, our back injury workers’ comp attorneys will give you individual attention. We have many years of collective experience working with hundreds of workers’ comp clients to recover compensation.
Average Settlement for Back Injury
Compensation for back injuries can vary from case to case and severity of the injury itself. Here are some success stories from clients we’ve represented.
$2,700,000 Personal Injury Settlement
$2,700,000 personal injury settlement for a laborer who injured his lumbar vertebrae, resulting in spinal surgery and an inability to return to his former line of work.
$437,000 Workers’ Compensation Settlement
$437,000 workers’ compensation settlement for a Spanish-speaking laborer who underwent multiple leg surgeries and lumbar spine surgery, but was able to return to work in a light duty capacity.
The laborer earned $9.00/hour at the time of the accident.
$290,000.00 Settlement
$290,000.00 for a general laborer who underwent multiple level spinal surgery and was released with permanent restrictions.
Convenient and Reliable Back Injury Workers’ Compensation
At Cushing Law Offices, we know how difficult and serious a workers’ comp case can be for victims of work-related injuries, which is why we offer a free consultation to provide individuals with an honest assessment of their case and can help determine the best approach to recover compensation. Our legal staff will be able to provide the combined professionalism and expertise needed to secure a favorable outcome for your case. If you have sustained a work-related amputation or another type of injury on the job, contact us to get started on seeking compensation. Simply call us today at 312-726-2323 and we’ll work with you to determine if you have a case and provide you with some of the most dependable representation you’ll find in the Chicagoland area.
