Jacksonville Workers' Comp Hip Injury Settlements

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 8,200 workplace hip injuries per year nationwide that result in lost work days. Forty-two percent of these injuries result in 31 or more days of missed work.

A person may receive a settlement for a Jacksonville, NC workers’ comp hip injury claim.

The experienced Jacksonville workers’ compensation lawyers at Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys explain workers’ compensation hip injury settlements and what you need to know.

Understanding Workers’ Compensation Hip Injury Compensation

Jacksonville workplace hip injury claims fall under North Carolina workers’ compensation.
When a hip injury occurs in the scope and course of employment, the injured worker may receive worker’s compensation benefits.
Awards are made on a no-fault basis, but there are disqualifications, such as intoxication and willful disobedience of safety rules.
If someone other than the employer is at fault, the worker may also have a third-party claim for compensation. A third-party claim can affect a workers’ compensation hip injury settlement.
The average workers’ compensation settlement for hip injury may address multiple types of compensation, including medical care, lost wages, and permanent impairment.
To receive a Jacksonville workers’ compensation hip injury award, you must notify your employer within 30 days of injury and seek benefits. A lawyer may represent you.

How Hip Injuries Occur on the Job

Sudden falls
Force or trauma
Pulling or shearing motion
Repetitive trauma
Poor lifting or moving posture, heavy lifting
Lack of personal protective equipment
Overextension

A hip injury may occur acutely, from a single event, or trauma. It may also result from repetitive trauma.

Types of hip injuries on the job

Pelvic fracture
Dislocation, dysplasia
Torn muscles, hip flexor strain, adductor strain
Labral tear, torn cartilage
Cuts, bruising, soft tissue strains
Degloving injury
Bursitis
Inflammation
Tendinitis

What Benefits Can You Receive for a Hip Injury at Work?

Benefits for a hip injury at work may cover medical care, lost income, and impairment.

Medical care

Covered medical care for a hip injury may cure or give relief from the physical impairment. The purpose of the treatment is to restore the person’s health to its pre-injury condition as much as possible. Medical care may include a variety of services, including emergency care, diagnostic tests, stabilization, treatment, and therapy.

For a hip injury, the needed treatment may vary. Medical care can be a disputed point in a workers’ compensation claim.

For example, the insurance company may authorize a short course of physical therapy when the person needs hip surgery.

Lost income

Recovery from a hip injury may take significant time. Return to work can be a dispute in a workers’ compensation claim. In addition, the parties may disagree about work restrictions.

If a person can’t work because of a hip injury, they may receive compensation for lost income. The amount paid is a percentage of the person’s pre-injury wage, up to a maximum amount. Lost income benefits may be paid for up to 500 weeks in North Carolina, unless the person qualifies for permanent disability compensation.

Impairment

A hip injury may result in permanent disability. In Jacksonville, NC, workers’ compensation claims, the injured person may be compensated for impairment. A hip injury may be compensated as impairment of the whole leg. The evaluation will include joint stiffness, bone adhesion, joint replacement, and use of prosthetics. It will evaluate limitations of motion. If appropriate, a hip injury may be evaluated as back impairment.

The evaluation of permanent disability can be an important part of a workers’ compensation hip injury settlement. The impairment rating, along with the pre-injury wage and weeks of compensation for the affected body part, forms the basis of the disability award. North Carolina awards compensation for impairment of the leg for 200 weeks, paid at 66 2/3% of the pre-injury average weekly wage.

Average Workers’ Compensation Hip Injury Settlements

The National Safety Council (NSC) reports an average lost-time workers’ compensation claim amount for hip injury of $62,110 nationwide. Injuries to the hip, thigh, and pelvis are included in the calculated average. NSC reports that hip injuries result in above-average workers’ compensation claim amounts.

The value of a workers’ compensation hip injury settlement may be more or less than average.

The NSC average is a national average. Workers’ compensation benefits vary among states, and an individual settlement may be more or less than average.

Estimating the Value of a Workers’ Compensation Hip Injury Settlement

The value of a workers’ compensation hip injury settlement depends on the nature of the injury, lost income, impairment, and wages before injury. Estimating the value requires evaluating the types of compensation and potential case issues.

A settlement should address whether the person may file for a change in condition if their injury worsens in the future.

How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Hip Injury Claim?

A hip injury claim typically takes several months or longer than a year to resolve. That’s because hip injuries tend to be complex, requiring significant medical intervention, therapy, and rest. It may take time to determine the extent of lasting impairment. Ongoing medical care may factor into how to best resolve a settlement.

Your attorney can help you with the timeline of your claim. They can help you determine when it’s time to settle your case and what things should factor into a settlement. You may take your case to a hearing about your benefits, if necessary.

Your attorney can evaluate your hip injury and explain how long it may take to resolve.

What If Your Claim Is Denied or Underpaid?

If your workers’ compensation hip injury claim is denied or underpaid, you can pursue your compensation. You can request a hearing before an NC Industrial Commission hearing officer.

You may present medical evidence and make arguments for the interpretation of the law. You may also have an attorney represent you in the process to claim workers’ compensation for a hip injury in Jacksonville, NC.

Permanent Disability and Long-Term Hip Injury Settlements

Permanent disability may be awarded for severe hip injury. There are standards to qualify. It may be best to pursue a settlement or seek permanent disability.

Why You Should Work with a Jacksonville Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Hip injury workers’ compensation claims can be for significant amounts. Disputes about medical care can impact the benefits you receive and your return to work. A Jacksonville workers’ compensation attorney can identify important issues, build evidence, and navigate the claims process.