Injuring your back at work can be one of the most excruciating injuries you can get. It leads to stress all its own, not to mention the stress of having to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. The claim process can be a pain if you don’t have the proper assistance to help you through it.
It takes quite a bit of time to heal the injury and to get the benefits. This might not be time you have since you have lost out on the money you would get if you weren’t injured. Let’s take a look at how to get whether you can get workers’ comp benefits for the back injury you got at work.
1. Most common ways to injure the back
One of the most common ways to injure your back at work is lifting heavy objects. The object can cause you to pull a muscle in your back, which can be excruciating and can lead to calling for an ambulance to get you to the hospital. You won’t be able to drive there and co-workers will more than likely not be able to help you. That trip to the emergency room costs money and it might be money you don’t have. This can lead to even more stress than what you’re already going through due to the injury itself. If you injured your back because of your duties at work, you might be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
2. How long a workers’ comp case lasts
These types of workers’ compensation cases due last longer in the system with employees receiving more compensation for their injuries. It takes, on average, around 18 months to get the case resolved to the employee’s advantage. This averages out to be about 2 months longer than cases for other types of injuries. Insurance companies do deny these cases initially due to the nature of the injuries.
However, this is not an indicator of whether the employee will receive benefits. Over 50% of workers who received settlements from the insurance companies received a denial when they first filed for benefits. Just because the insurance company refuses your claim for workers’ comp benefits does not mean you should drop the case. You can hire a lawyer to look over the case and turn the denial around to a settlement in the end.
3. Why you should apply for workers’ comp
The nature of your back injury is a reason to file a claim for benefits on its own. When you injure your back, you are out of work for longer than people with other types of injuries. You won’t be able to make the money you would have if you weren’t injured. You won’t be able to pay your bills as easily, especially if you don’t have the money saved up.
You will be able to make sure all the hospital bills are taken care of along with your other bills after you reach a settlement with the insurance company. Make sure to hire a lawyer to make sure all the evidence and paperwork are compiled with enough time to meet all the deadlines for the claim process. Once you reach the settlement with the insurance company, you can rest a little easier while recovering from the injury.
Greenville, NC Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
I’m Brian Ricci, a workers’ compensation lawyer in Greenville, NC. If you or a loved one has sustained an injury at work, please call me at please call me at (252) 777-2222 or 800-387-6406 for free, friendly advice.
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