Workers’ Comp Settlement for Neck Injuries

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, back and neck pain is among the leading causes of time away from work. A neck injury can cause excruciating pain that makes it difficult or impossible for you to work until you recover. When many people think of neck injuries, they assume that the pain happens due to a sudden, one-time incident, however, a neck injury may also develop slowly over a period of years from the conditions of your job.

If you have a neck injury that is a direct result of your work, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, payments for lost wages, and other considerations. At Terry Katz & Associates, our workers’ compensation attorneys have helped thousands of New York workers affected by work-related injuries, such as a neck injury, secure maximum workers’ compensation benefits.

Call (516) 997-0997 today or complete the form below to request a free claim evaluation with an experienced Long Island neck injury attorney.

The Common Causes Of Neck Injuries At Work

Every year, neck injuries cause over 16,000 workers to spend days away from work (Bureau of Labor Statistics). While a variety of work situations can cause significant and ongoing neck pain, some of the most common causes of a work-related neck injury include:

Falls, Slips, & Trips At Work: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls, slips, trips are the second most common cause of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in the United States every year. Common causes of work-related slip and fall accidents include broken floorboards, defective handrails, inadequate lighting, wet floors, and misplaced objects.

Repetitive Motion Injuries: For many workers, a repetitive motion injury is the result of overuse or overexertion over a long period of time. Moving any part of the body several hundred times a day can cause a repetitive motion injury, including sprains and strains of the neck muscles and tendons. If you have pain and discomfort from a repetitive motion injury you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

Struck By a Falling Object: A neck injury caused by a falling object is especially common among construction workers when an object falls and strikes a worker. Falling object neck injuries may be caused by falling tools, materials, and debris on a construction site, the collapse of an unstable shelf or bench, lifting an unsecured load, or even heavy files, books, or computer equipment that falls off a shelf.

Car Accident In A Company Vehicle: Individuals who drive for a living, such as a package delivery personnel, mail carriers, and traveling salespeople, face a greater risk of getting into a car accident simply because they spend more time on the road. Workers involved in a car accident can suffer a number of spinal cord and neck-related injuries, including fractured and rotated vertebrae, pinched nerves, and whiplash.

How A Neck Injury Can Impact Your Life

Neck injuries can cause chronic stiffness and pain among other symptoms.

Some of the most common symptoms of neck injuries can include:

Chronic headaches
Inability to turn the neck to the left, right, or both directions
Insomnia or fitful sleep due to the pain and stiffness
Referred pain, which means that the pain spreads from the neck to the back, legs, or shoulders

Not only does a serious neck injury make working a challenge, but you may not be able to enjoy your favorite activities outside of work. With the help of experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Terry Katz & Associates, you may be eligible to ease the financial burden caused by your neck injury through workers’ compensation benefits.

New York Workers’ Compensation Benefits

New York workers’ compensation operates on a no-fault system. The purpose of this system is to provide cash benefits and/or medical care for New York workers who have been injured or have become ill as a direct result of their job. In certain situations, you may also initiate a third-party lawsuit against another party who caused the injuries while you were on the job.

In New York, workers’ compensation may cover these types of benefits, including:

Lost Wages: If you have a neck injury that has been caused by your job, you may be eligible for a percentage of your weekly wages, subject to a minimum and maximum annually adjusted by New York state.
Medical Expenses: If your injury requires medical treatment, workers’ compensation may pay all medical expenses related to your claim. Medical expense compensation typically covers medications, mileage, and parking expenses, and durable medical equipment. Sometimes insurers require prior authorization to receive certain treatments for neck injuries. To reduce unnecessary treatment delays, the New York Workers’ Compensation Board has created cervical spine treatment guidelines.
Death Benefits: If a loved one has died as a result of a work-related neck injury, the surviving spouse and/or minor children, and other dependents as defined by law, may be eligible to receive cash benefits.

In addition to the worker’s compensation benefits described above Social Services & Rehabilitation Programs may also be a benefit that you may receive.

What If I’m Denied Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

Unfortunately, it is common for injured New York workers to receive a denial of benefits letter from their employer’s insurance company. The insurance carrier may state that you did not file the claim correctly or that you need to provide additional documentation to prove your injuries. Other common reasons for denial include claiming that your neck injuries happened outside of work or that your injuries are not as severe as you state.

Regardless of the reason why you have been denied your rightful benefits, you have the legal right to appeal the denial with a workers’ compensation attorney at Terry Katz & Associates. Our Long Island neck injury attorneys will help you understand your rights, and gather the proper evidence you need to challenge the denial and present an appeal at a hearing in front of a workers’ compensation law judge.