Home Law Navigating Workers’ Comp Settlements for Back Injuries

Navigating Workers’ Comp Settlements for Back Injuries

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Over the past few decades, legislation governing workers’ compensation has been implemented by nearly all states. Employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance, also known as “workers’ comp,” to protect their workers against accidents that occur while on the job.

The following expenses could be covered or reimbursed by this insurance:

    • Lost income
    • Absent ancillary benefits
    • Missed possibilities for employment and advancement
    • Pain and distress of the mind
  • Inability to participate in leisure activities

Some policies also cover workplace accommodations for disabilities, such as providing ramps for people with disabilities or setting up workstations at home, as well as essential career changes, such as the cost of training to transition from a field job to a desk position.

Employers typically foot the bill for insurance services rendered by a federal, state, or private insurer. Regardless of the cause of the accident, injured workers may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. You may apply for immediate worker’s compensation coverage if a doctor determines that you are unable to execute your tasks as a result of a back injury sustained while doing work-related duties.

Workers comp settlement back injury insurance extinguishes the right of injured workers to file a lawsuit against their employer. Due to this, workers’ compensation benefits and settlements may be the only means by which they can make up for their past and predicted future losses.

Parties Eligible for Benefits Under Workers’ Compensation

There are minor variations in the laws governing workers’ compensation claims across each state. If you were working when the injury happened, you are eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim. Even if you must be replaced by another employee because of your injury, workers’ compensation is still applicable.

But the majority of states concur that in order to be eligible for benefits, the injured party must:

  • Have held a position as a W-2 employee rather than a 1099 independent contractor.
  • Suffered a back injury at work or while performing work-related tasks.
  • Have injuries that prevent them from carrying out the majority or all of their regular employment duties.

Many insurers attempt to refute one or more of these elements in order to escape liability. Back pain sufferers might avoid these typical insurance pitfalls with the assistance of an attorney.

Partial/Total Disability

For a worker to be eligible for workers’ compensation, their back pain must prevent them from performing necessary job duties. Examining the employees’ offer letters, contracts, job postings, or other documentation defining their employment responsibilities is typically required to make this decision. In the absence of a documented job definition, courts and insurers may also rely on congruent evidence or national occupational manuals to define job duties.

If an employee suffers a back injury and is no longer able to execute one of their job duties, such as filing, their employer must provide accommodations. Employees are eligible for workers’ compensation payments when the necessary adjustments materially alter their job description.

To hire a workers’ compensation settlement lawyer, please visit Kenton Koszdin Law Office.