Whether it comes from an unexpected accident or just builds up over time due to long hours of repetitive lifting and bending, work-related back injuries can be uniquely debilitating in both the short- and the long-term. While these injuries can serve as the basis for a workers’ compensation claim, actually getting the benefits you need after getting hurt in this way can be more complicated than you might expect.
In a situation like this, representation from a seasoned Las Vegas work injury lawyer can be more important than ever to ensure you can efficiently navigate the claims process and pursue the compensation you need. With a Las Vegas workplace back injury at Shook & Stone on your side, you will have much better chances of achieving a favorable outcome from your claim than you would on your own.
Back Injuries Covered by Workers’ Comp
Someone who becomes permanently paralyzed due to spinal cord damage they suffered in a work-related accident would likely have strong grounds for a workers’ comp claim over that “back” injury. That said, there are many other ways in which someone can sustain less catastrophic but no less painful injuries in or around their spine, such as:
- Pinched nerves
- Fractured vertebrae
- Muscle strains or spasms
- Chronic conditions like sciatica or arthritis
- Slipped or herniated “discs” between the spine’s vertebrae
The most important thing for a claimant to establish when seeking workers’ comp benefits for a back injury is that the symptoms they are dealing with stemmed directly from a workplace accident or from conditions they experienced while working. As our Las Vegas workers’ compensation lawyers could explain, long-term conditions like osteoporosis may not justify workers’ comp claims on their own. Still, it may be possible to seek benefits if work-related conditions make a pre-existing condition like this dramatically worse over time.
What Benefits Could Be Available for a Back Injury at Work?
Suppose a workers’ comp claim over a work-related back injury is successful. In that case, the claimant can seek fault-free reimbursement for all “reasonably necessary” medical expenses they need to reach “maximum medical improvement” for their injury—in other words, to get as close to their pre-injury condition as reasonably possible. It is worth noting here that workers’ comp does not always cover chiropractic care in every situation. However, our skilled legal professionals could potentially help incorporate it into a claim over a workplace back injury in Las Vegas.
Workers’ comp should also reimburse a substantial portion of lost wages—typically about two-thirds of the claimant’s pre-injury average weekly wage—stemming from a back injury. If the back injury will have permanent and debilitating repercussions, permanent partial or total disability benefits may be available as well.
Talk to a Las Vegas Workplace Back Injury Attorney Today
Workplace injuries of any kind can be disruptive to both your professional and personal life, but back injuries, in particular, can be both painful and debilitating for months at a time. Fortunately, workers’ comp should cover medical bills and certain other losses stemming from this sort of injury—but only if you make effective use of your rights under Nevada state law and your employer’s unique workers’ comp policy.
Guidance from a Las Vegas workplace back injury lawyer at Shook & Stone could be crucial in both regards. Call today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your filing options.
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