Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, help injured workers claim Gastonia workers’ compensation hand injury settlements. To discuss compensation for your hand injury at work, contact us now to talk to an experienced Gastonia workers’ compensation lawyer.
Workers’ Compensation Hand Injury Settlements
When you are injured by accident in the course and scope of your employment, a hand injury may qualify for a workers’ compensation settlement in Gastonia, NC. A settlement resolves the claim, usually with a lump sum payment to the injured employee.
A hand injury can make it difficult or impossible to work. If you’re unable to work, need medical care, or have permanent impairment because of your injuries, workers’ compensation can provide benefits.
Hand injury claims can be complex, so having a lawyer for workers’ compensation hand injury settlements represent you can be valuable.
Common Workplace Accidents That Cause Hand Injuries in Gastonia
Workplace accidents that commonly cause hand injuries in Gastonia include the following:
- Car accidents, transportation accidents
- Tool misuse and malfunction
- Machinery misuse and malfunction
- Limb or object stuck in machinery
- Fall from elevation, trip, and fall from the same height
- Structure collapse
- Fire, explosion
- Animal bites and attacks
- Harmful substances or environmental exposure
- Overexertion, bodily reaction
- Poor lifting techniques
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 102,250 hand injuries in private industry resulted in lost work in one year. An additional 28,410 wrist injuries occurred during the same period.
Types of Hand Injuries Covered by NC Workers’ Compensation
Types of hand injuries that NC workers’ compensation may cover include:
- Fracture: A broken bone in the hand or wrist.
- Cut: Laceration of the skin which may penetrate to soft tissue.
- Puncture wound: An injury in which an object breaks the skin and damages soft tissue.
- Dislocation: A joint forced from its normal position, causing immobilization and pain.
- Sprain: A torn ligament, including ulnar collateral ligament injury (skier’s thumb).
- Tendon injury: A tear or stretch of a tendon, impairing hand movement.
- Crushing injury: Trauma that may damage bone and soft tissue.
- Amputation: Loss of a finger or the hand.
The hand is located at the end of the forearm. With 27 bones in the hand and wrist, the hand can make highly controlled, precise movements, including writing and gripping objects. It is a complex structure where muscles, joints, and nerves work together to perform intricate tasks.
Average Workers’ Compensation Settlement Amounts for Hand Injuries
The National Safety Council reports an average workers’ compensation claim amount of $28,326 for hand injuries. The amount includes settlements, disputed claims, and uncontested resolutions.
Whether your case is worth more or less than the average workers’ compensation settlement for hand injury depends on a variety of factors. The average amount isn’t necessarily an indicator of what an individual can expect for their case.
At a consultation, our lawyers can review the potential value of your claim.
How Loss of Grip Strength or Amputation Affects Compensation
A hand injury may result in loss of grip strength or amputation. Both injuries may significantly increase compensation.
Medical benefits may continue until the person reaches Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). Care can include physical therapy, prosthetics, and other care that provides relief. Even after MMI is achieved, ongoing medical attention may be appropriate to update medical devices and maximize functionality.
Loss of grip strength or amputation may increase a person’s time away from work. Generally, a person may claim compensation for 66 2/3% of their lost or reduced wages, for up to 500 weeks. Vocational rehabilitation may add to the compensation amount if included in a settlement.
Permanent impairment should be rated and compensated. The person’s pre-injury income impacts permanent disability compensation, as do the body part affected and its impairment rating.
Medical Evidence Needed for a Hand Injury Claim
Medical evidence needed for a hand injury claim may include:
- Imaging, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs
- Evaluation by a doctor
- Functionality testing
- Vocational assessment
- Treatment reports, records, and notes
- Diary of progress
- Job duties and modifications needed
- Expert medical testimony
Workers’ compensation in Gastonia, NC, is a no-fault system, meaning you don’t have to prove that your employer acted negligently. Rather, you must prove your eligibility for benefits. At Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, our lawyers handle all aspects of your case.
What To Do If Your Gastonia Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied
If your Gastonia workers’ compensation claim is denied, you have the right to fight for your compensation. You can take your case to a hearing or negotiate a settlement. Remember, the employer and its insurance company do not have the final decision. It’s important to assert your rights.
To make your appeal successful, you need to understand the benefits you are entitled to and the steps you must take. You should also respond to the reasons the insurance company provided for denying or undervaluing your claim.
Hiring a lawyer can assist you with these processes. You can have legal representation at any stage in your case. Having a lawyer involved early in the case can help manage paperwork, gather evidence, and avoid costly mistakes.
About Gastonia, NC
With a population of around 80,000, Gastonia is the county seat of Gaston County, NC, sitting 30 miles west of Charlotte. Workers’ compensation claims don’t start with the Gaston County Superior Court but are processed through the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
Gastonia has a diverse range of employers in manufacturing, healthcare, education, and retail. The Gastonia Police Department serves the city, assisted by a county police department, county sheriff’s office, and the Gaston College Police.
How a Gastonia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Maximize Your Settlement
At Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, our experienced Gastonia workers’ compensation lawyers help clients maximize settlements, creating a personalized case plan for each client we serve. Our lawyers give honest legal advice and answer all your questions.
If you’ve suffered a hand injury at work, contact us to talk to a lawyer and get help today.
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