When a back or neck injury occurs, nerves, ligaments, tendons, muscle, soft tissue, and bone can be permanently damaged. The backbone or spine as it is also called often sustains the most damage when subjected to trauma or repeated stress. Trauma to the spine or the nerves surrounding the spine can result in serious conditions, such as paralysis.
Sadly, many of these problems are work-related. Individuals suffering from a back or neck work-related injury might be able to file a workers’ compensation claim with the attorney’s help to collect financial assistance for the expenses associated with their issue. Although the work comp system is designed to help those hurt on the job, the process to obtain benefits can be complicated and confusing.
Having the right pros in your corner makes all the difference
Why attempt the workers’ compensation system on your own when retaining the services of a qualified neck or back injury attorney can greatly increase your chances of securing the most benefits?
At Liberty Bell Workers Compensation, our team is very experienced with back and neck injuries, from Philadelphia to Allentown. We have the legal knowledge needed to successfully negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company and won’t back down till they have secured you a settlement maximizing the benefits you are entitled to under the law. The various types of damages the skilled specialists in our group have secured financial assistance for; include medical bills (doctor visits, surgery, prescription medicine), and disability.
Your go-to back injury attorneys in Philadelphia & Allentown
The spine, which runs from the base of the skull to the pelvis, is a column made up of bone and tissue. The bones of the back (vertebrae) protect a cylinder of nerve tissue – the spinal cord. Injury to the bone, tissue or spinal cord of the back or neck can result in serious, life-threatening conditions.
Although many types of injuries can affect the back and neck, the most commonly treated ones that our attorneys have had to get compensation for are spondylolysis and cervical radiculopathy. Spondylolysis is a stress fracture of one of the spine’s vertebrae. Typically, spondylolysis affects the vertebrae of the lower back and can be caused by overuse of the lower back.
Cervical radiculopathy is a clinical term used to describe back pain caused by irritated nerves. Pain caused by a damaged or compressed cervical nerve can extend to arms and hands. Almost any back or neck injury that irritates or damages nerves can cause cervical radiculopathy, however, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease are the most common causes of this condition.
Get the workers comp benefits you deserve
Back injuries are some of the most common complaints that plague employees all across the United States. Over 600,000 people report work-related spine and back issues due to conditions as diverse as sitting at a desk in one position for too long to traumatic truck accidents and falls from a high scaffolding. No matter how your neck or back injury was sustained, if it occurred at work due to activities performed as part of your job, it most likely makes you eligible to collect workers’ comp benefits from Allentown in Pennsylvania to Philadelphia.
What kind of back injuries are covered by worker’s comp?
Many people think that having an aching back is just part of working all day or getting older. While this may be true in some cases, some back pain and conditions are specifically caused by the type of work you do. If the pain starts to take over your life or makes it difficult to perform your job duties or get comfortable anywhere else, you may have a case for workers’ compensation benefits. This will allow you to get the medical treatment you need during your recovery period.
Besides chronic pain, some of the back injuries that may qualify for benefits include direct damage to the spinal cord, herniated or slipped discs, spinal fractures, pinched or irritated nerves, and lower back strain and weakness. The most horrendous back injury would involve paralysis due to spinal trauma.
In comparison, simply experiencing a lower back strain seems not as drastic. However, for the many people who suffer from this every day, it severely impacts their quality of life and ability to function at work. The diagnosis may be more serious than you think. This is why getting an expert medical opinion and a treatment plan matters so much. However, the expense and missed work may make some people shy away from this. That is where the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act comes in. With the help of a skilled neck and back injury attorney, you can file a claim to handle these expenses so you can get the medical assistance you need.
Back injuries may require nothing more than rest and a heating pad. However, they may also require a change of career or serious back surgery. Workers’ compensation exists so people can receive financial coverage with a lawyer’s help when a job-related neck or back injury or bodily damage occurs.
How to deal with a workplace neck injury in Philadelphia or Allentown
As with any health issue, proper treatment is of the utmost importance. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, please see a healthcare professional immediately:
- Localized pain
- Tenderness or stiffness
- Muscle spasms or weakness
- Numbness or tingling
- Loss of sensation or movement
The workers compensation process
Unless you suffered an acute neck or back injury that severed your spinal cord or crushed vertebrae, you may have a more difficult time proving that back strain was caused specifically by your work. The first step is to report any incident as soon as it happens. Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law gives you up to 120 days to report. However, you need to do it within 21 days if you want immediate financial benefits a week later.
Since your employer’s insurance company may want to deny your claim initially, it makes sense to get a skillful neck or back injury attorney from Allentown or Philadelphia on your side who specializes in PA workers’ compensation law. Contact Gregory Boles as soon as possible after receiving emergency medical care and set up a consultation appointment to discuss your case. He has been practicing workers comp law in Pennsylvania for more than three decades, and he has the experience and knowledge to handle every aspect of your case so you can concentrate on feeling better.
Meet your trusted back & neck injury attorneys
For a thorough evaluation of your case and to learn how a knowledgeable specialist at Liberty Bell Workers Compensation from Allentown or Philadelphia can help get you the tools you need to get better, contact our legal group at 215.399.0089. If you’ve thought twice about hiring a qualified neck injury attorney because of cost, you’ll be surprised to learn that quality legal representation is within your reach. We won’t get paid until we win your case – guaranteed.
