Cornelius workers’ compensation neck injury settlements provide compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and disability. To receive a settlement, you must report your workplace injury and file a claim.
Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, is taking new cases. Call or message us to have an experienced Cornelius workers’ compensation attorney represent you.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Settlements for Neck Injuries
A workers’ compensation settlement for a neck injury resolves a claim and provides compensation to the worker. The parties agree to the amount, based on the benefits that the person is entitled to for their injuries.
A settlement may be negotiated to resolve benefit disputes. A settlement can provide a lump-sum payment, rather than having benefits continuing weekly. Each settlement is negotiated individually, based on the merits of the case.
What You Should Know
As experienced Cornelius, NC workers’ compensation lawyers, we know that neck injury claims vary significantly. Some neck injuries can be treated with rest, while others can be life-changing.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that only two percent of neck injury claims resulting in missed work days require hospitalization. A neck injury may require a long medical recovery and may result in lost income or permanent disability.
You have important rights and should know that each case is determined on its individual merits. The severity of your injuries and related factors directly determine your benefits. Having a lawyer can ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Neck Injuries at Work in Cornelius
Common ways that neck injuries may occur on the job in Cornelius, NC, include:
- Equipment and machinery incidents: Malfunctioning equipment, inadequate training, poor communication, or ineffective safety gear may cause neck injury.
- Falling objects: Objects falling from an elevated height may strike a person, causing trauma.
- Car accidents: Motor vehicle accidents occurring on the job may result in whiplash or other neck injuries.
- Slip and fall: Falls may damage vertebrae and soft tissue.
- Violence: Acts of violence in the workplace may cause acute injury.
- Misuse of tools and equipment: Using tools in a manner not intended may result in injury.
- Jostling: Crowds of people or movement of objects may cause an accident.
- Repetitive strain: Repeated trauma over time may cause an injury.
- Explosion: High-energy force from an explosion may cause serious harm.
Cornelius, NC, is part of the greater Charlotte area. Common employment sectors in the region include healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, construction trades, retail, and services. Cornelius is near Lake Norman and the town of Davidson. Interstate 77 leads into Charlotte.
Herniated Discs, Whiplash, and Other Covered Neck Injuries
Neck injuries that a workers’ comp settlement may cover include the following:
- Whiplash: Muscle strain, soreness, and other soft tissue injury.
- Herniated disc: Bulging of the softer inner disc material that causes pain and disability.
- Vertebrae fracture: A break in one or more cervical bones.
- Spinal cord injury: Damage that may cause paralysis and impair communication between the brain and body.
- Pinched nerve: Compression of a cervical nerve that may result in sharp, aching, or burning pain.
- Acute wry neck (torticollis): Sudden onset of neck pain and stiffness, often one-sided.
- Paralysis: Severe, debilitating loss of movement as a result of acute spinal trauma.
Workers’ compensation provides a range of medical care to diagnose, cure, relieve, and lessen the period of disability. For neck injuries, treatment may include diagnostic imaging, testing, surgery, medical supplies, rehabilitation, and hospitalization. The medical care you receive depends on your injuries and their treatment. If the insurance company denies appropriate medical care, you can contest it.
How NC Calculates Neck Injury Settlement Amounts
NC calculates workers’ compensation neck injury settlements based on the benefits that the worker qualifies to receive. These benefits may include:
- Lost wages if injuries prevent the person from working.
- Disability despite maximum medical improvement.
- Medical care may or may not be included in a settlement.
The more severe losses are in each category, the greater the settlement award could be. Income before the injury factors into the award for both lost wages and disability.
What is the average workers’ compensation injury settlement?
The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that the average workers’ compensation claim for the neck is $70,575. The calculation includes medical expenses and monetary compensation.
The NSC notes that neck injuries are among the highest awards, after central nervous system and multiple body part awards. Your claim may be more or less than average.
Long-Term Pain, Limited Mobility, and Compensation Impact
An accurate impairment rating is critical for award calculation, as a permanent disability award is based on this rating.
It’s important not to settle the case too quickly because the long-term impact of injuries is unknown. A lawyer can help you with timing your settlement.
Note: North Carolina workers’ compensation has an exception for extremely severe injury. If your neck injury results in permanent paralysis, you may qualify for an exception to the 500-week cap for weekly disability benefits.
What Medical Documentation Strengthens Your Claim
Medical documentation that may strengthen your claim can include information that:
- Confirms your medical diagnosis
- Explains how injuries resulted from the accident
- Details when you can return to work
- Supports what medical care is required
- Identifies permanent impairment and your impairment rating
- Responds to any contested issues
As lawyers, we build this vital medical documentation.
How To Appeal a Denied Neck Injury Workers’ Compensation Claim
If your workers’ compensation neck injury claim is denied, you can fight it, but you must do so quickly. You can file for a hearing to contest the denial.
Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, represent workers in neck injury claims, including in appeals. We handle cases in Cornelius, NC, and the surrounding areas.
How a Cornelius Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Helps Maximize Settlements
As Cornelius workers’ compensation lawyers, we know the law and the steps to pursue your case, value your claim, and gather evidence. Throughout your case, we tailor our representation to your case goals.
We’re taking new cases now. To obtain help from a Cornelius, NC, workers’ compensation neck injury settlement lawyer, contact an attorney at Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys.
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