When a degloving injury occurs at work, the injured person may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. An experienced Gastonia workers’ compensation lawyer can protect your rights and represent you to claim benefits.
Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, represent injured workers in Gastonia, NC. Contact us to talk to a lawyer.
What Is a Degloving Injury and Why Are They So Serious?
A degloving injury is a traumatic injury in which the skin and underlying soft tissue are pulled away from the body, like taking off a glove—the skin and underlying soft tissue shear from the muscle, connective tissue, and bone.
A degloving injury is so serious because the entire exposed area, including muscle and bone, is at risk of serious harm. There may be significant bleeding. There is a high risk of infection. The open space can fill with blood and other fluids, leading to complications.
Many degloving incidents cause significant pain.
How Degloving Injuries Happen in the Workplace
Common causes of degloving injury in the workplace include:
- Caught in or pulled into machinery
- Car accident, transportation incidents
- Tool or equipment malfunction
- Falling from an elevated height
- A loose article becoming stuck in a moving object
- Pinch points, caught between accidents
Degloving injuries don’t just impact the hand. They can occur in the pelvic area, buttocks, arms, thighs, feet, and scalp.
Industries and Jobs in Gastonia, NC, Most Prone to Degloving Injuries
Gastonia, NC, is the 13th-largest city in North Carolina. The area is home to robust manufacturing, retail and distribution, healthcare, and education industries.
Some of the industries and jobs in Gastonia, NC, most prone to degloving injury include:
- Manufacturing
- Distribution
- Transportation
- Retail
- Waste collection
- Landscaping, tree management
- Machine operation and repair
- Maintenance
- Farming, agriculture
- Emergency services
- Sport and recreation
Whatever your industry or job, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits due to a degloving injury. Most incidents in Gastonia fall under North Carolina workers’ compensation laws.
Open vs. Closed Degloving Injuries: Does the Type Affect Your Workers’ Compensation Claim?
A degloving injury may be open or closed.
Open degloving injury
In an open degloving injury, the skin barrier is broken, internal tissue is exposed, and the wound is visible externally.
Closed degloving injury
A closed degloving injury occurs when internal tissue is torn away in a shearing motion, but without breaking the skin surface. Imaging may be needed to diagnose injury.
Your workers’ compensation claim
Both open and closed degloving injuries may be the basis for compensation. Benefits are awarded on a case-by-case basis.
Your Workers’ Comp Rights After a Degloving Injury in North Carolina
If you’re injured in the course and scope of your employment, you may have the right to workers’ compensation. In North Carolina, employers with three or more employees must have workers’ compensation insurance.
North Carolina workers’ comp laws apply in Gastonia. The North Carolina Industrial Commission administers workers’ comp and issues rulings in disputed cases.
To exercise your rights, you must report the workplace injury to your employer. The report must be made in writing and within 30 days of the injury.
What Medical Treatment and Benefits Can You Receive for a Degloving Injury?
For a degloving injury in Gastonia, NC, workers’ compensation benefits may include:
- Emergency medical care
- Diagnostic testing
- Medical treatment
- Prescription medication
- Cost of travel for medical care
- Treatment for complications
- Physical therapy
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Replacement income
- Permanent impairment compensation
Some benefits, such as medical care, are provided as services. Other benefits, such as replacement income and permanent impairment, are paid as cash awards.
Can You File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Addition to Workers’ Compensation?
If your case meets the criteria for a personal injury lawsuit in addition to workers’ compensation, you can file both claims. There are rules to prevent double recovery. A personal injury claim may allow for pain and suffering compensation that is not available in workers’ compensation. A personal injury lawsuit usually must be brought against someone other than the employer.
How Degloving Injury Workers’ Compensation Settlements Are Valued in NC
Degloving injury workers’ compensation settlements are valued by calculating the present value of the benefits that will be included in the settlement. It may depend on the timing of the settlement and what’s included. A lawyer can represent you to negotiate your case.
Settlement for degloving injury in workers’ comp
In a degloving injury case, it’s important not to settle too quickly. A degloving injury may cause complications. Long-term impairment may not be immediately known.
There may be multiple options for resolving the case. What’s best to include in a settlement depends on your circumstances and preferences. A lawyer can explain your options and represent you.
Long-Term Disability and Degloving Injuries: What NC Workers Should Know
If a degloving injury results in long-term disability, it can affect wage-loss benefits and impairment compensation. North Carolina typically allows up to 500 weeks of temporary disability compensation if you’re unable to work because of an injury. There are exceptions for severe impairment, including the loss of multiple limbs.
Alternatively, you may qualify to receive permanent impairment compensation. Your award depends on the body part affected and the extent of impairment. A correct impairment rating can be critical to receiving the compensation that you deserve.
What to Do If Your Employer or Insurer Disputes Your Degloving Injury Claim
If your employer or the insurer disputes a degloving injury claim, you can contest it. You must file Form 18 to protect your rights and request a hearing. You may need to gather evidence about your injury, the treatment you need, and your right to benefits. There is a limited amount of time to contest your case. A lawyer can represent you at every stage.
How a Gastonia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Fights for Maximum Compensation
A degloving injury on the job can be career-changing. Moreover, it can be life-changing. Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, fight for maximum compensation for workers. We create a custom case plan for each client, using our knowledge and experience to your advantage. Our lawyers are taking new cases for degloving injuries at work in Gastonia, NC, and the surrounding areas.
Call or message us now.
