It is important that you protect your legal rights and receive the compensation that is owed to you for any workplace injury, but compensation is especially essential for high-value claims.
As a general rule, the more serious your workplace injury is, the more time you will need to recover. In some cases, workers may even suffer from a permanent disability that can also significantly increase the value of a workers’ compensation claim. Do not settle your workers’ compensation claim for less than you deserve before considering these five signs that your workers’ comp claim may be high-value.
Your Injuries Require Significant Time Away From Work
The typical workers’ comp claim entitles injured workers to wage loss benefits based on the time needed to recover from injuries. As such, your claim will be of higher value the longer it takes to fully recover and return to work.
The Injury Suffered Is Severe or Catastrophic
It stands to reason that some workers’ comp injuries will lead to higher-value claims, but putting an actual dollar figure to serious injuries should prove helpful. Take back injuries, to list just one example of a frequent yet serious injury.
Reports have continuously shown that the average cost of a back injury in a workers’ compensation claim costs anywhere from $40,000 to $80,000 per employee. And, a report from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that nearly 26 million Americans lost an average of 7.2 days at work because of back pain.
Of course, there are injuries that are far more severe than back injuries, but the point remains that serious injuries deserve the legal representation of a serious workers’ compensation lawyer who will fight for the compensation you are owed.
Medical Care Is Extensive
Modern medicine has made incredible advancements in prosthetics and similar innovations that have given patients a new lease at life for the most catastrophic injuries. However, surgeries and medical care for catastrophic injuries are also very expensive compared to less serious injuries, which will increase the value of a workers’ compensation claim.
The Workplace Injuries Require a Career Change
In some cases, a workplace injury will be severe enough that the injured worker will never be able to work in their previous capacity again. If the worker’s injuries are of a nature that the worker cannot do their job any longer, a career change or accepting reduced wages may prove necessary.
In either case, facts such as these will factor into the workers’ compensation you are entitled to receive.
Your Injuries Led to a Permanent Disability
Serious workplace injuries may lead to permanent or partial permanent disability, which typically leads to higher value workers’ compensation claims and settlements.
It is generally inadvisable to settle your claim before talking to a workers’ compensation lawyer, no matter the value of your claim. It is especially important, however, to not settle for less than your claim is worth for high-value injury claims. Injuries of this nature often require long-term or even permanent care, and sometimes the injuries you suffer may be far more serious than you thought at the time of a rushed settlement.
If you need to file a workers’ compensation claim, our team at The Ledger Law Firm is ready to negotiate a fair settlement or take your case to trial, whichever is in your best interests. Contact us online today for a legal consultation to discuss your workplace injury claim.
