Can I Collect Worker’s Compensation for My Spinal Cord Injury?

Spinal cord injuries can inflict devastating damage. Depending on the severity of the accident, spinal cord injuries can cause partial or full paralysis, loss of sensation, chronic pain, and dramatically alter your ability to earn a living.

If you suffer a work-related spinal cord injury, you should be eligible for Workers’ Compensation benefits.

What Causes Spinal Cord Injuries?

Injuries to the spinal cord can be caused by common workplace accidents, including:

• Slip and falls: Slips, trips, and falls happen when good housekeeping practices are not followed.
• Falls from heights: Workers using ladders and scaffolding are at risk for serious spinal cord injuries.
• Collapses and cave-ins: Improperly constructed scaffolding can collapse, as can excavation work that is not supported. These types of work accidents cause severe injuries, including spinal cord injuries.
• Improper lifting technique: Workers who must lift and move heavy objects as part of their job risk injury if they do not use proper techniques.
• Lack of safety gear: Fall prevention equipment such as harnesses is crucial in preventing spinal cord injuries.
• Lack of training: Workers must be educated in a language they can understand about the safety hazards in their workplace, including fall risks and the proper way to fit and use personal protective equipment.
• Machinery: Heavy machinery poses a risk to workers if they are caught in its path and struck or crushed between moving parts.

Complications From Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries usually require multiple surgeries and long-term rehabilitative treatment. Because the spinal cord is such a vital part of the central nervous system, a spinal cord injury can affect many other parts of the body and lead to medical complications that contribute to the high cost of the care necessary after such a serious injury.

Some of the complications that arise from spinal cord injuries include blood clots, bed sores, breathing issues, bowel and bladder problems, chronic pain, heart arrhythmia, low blood pressure, muscle spasms, sexual difficulties, and pneumonia.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Spinal Cord Injuries

The benefits you will receive depend on your injury’s extent. You may be eligible for some or all of the following benefits:

• Medical benefits covering your treatment and future expenses.
• Wage loss benefits cover the time you cannot work while recovering and your future loss of earnings due to your injury.
• Permanent partial disability for the loss of a limb, hearing, vision, or disfigurement.
• Permanent total disability for permanent injury to two or more extremities or paralysis.

Insurance companies often try to deny benefits or pay out as little as possible. Wage loss calculations can be complicated, and knowing whether you are being paid the correct amount of benefits is essential. Consult with an experienced lawyer who can attend to your legal needs while you concentrate on recovering from your work injury.  

Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Freedman & Lorry, P.C. Fight for Workers With Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating workplace injuries. Contact Freedman & Lorry, P.C. today if you need help with your Workers’ Compensation claim. Call 888-999-1962 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyers. Located in Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, New Jersey, we proudly represent injured workers throughout Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.