If you sustained a serious spinal injury at work, you could face paraplegia or quadriplegia. These life-altering disabilities require long-term rehabilitation and may keep you from performing your duties. To get the compensation you deserve, you need to file a workers’ compensation claim.
Damages you can recover after sustaining Fresno paraplegia and quadriplegia workers’ compensation injuries depend on many factors, including the quality of legal support. Understanding which steps to take can help you get the money you deserve.
Paraplegia and quadriplegia are serious medical conditions that occur when someone suffers a severe spinal cord injury on the job.
Paraplegia means the person loses movement and feeling in the lower half of their body. Quadriplegia, also called tetraplegia, means the person loses movement and feeling in both the arms and legs. The common types of paraplegia and quadriplegia workers’ compensation injuries in Fresno are:
A person who receives one of these two diagnoses is likely to require lifelong care, special equipment, and long-term financial support.
To recover damages related to paraplegia and quadriplegia work injuries in Fresno, the employee has to file a workers’ compensation claim, a personal injury lawsuit, or both. The type of legal action depends on the circumstances of the incident that caused the injury.
The employee has 30 days to report the injury to the employer and a year to file a workers’ compensation claim. The clock starts running on the day of the accident.
If the employee decides to file a personal injury lawsuit, they have two years from the day of the incident to do so. Such a lawsuit may be possible if a third party’s negligent actions led to the injury in the workplace.
In most situations, quadriplegia and paraplegia are not reversible. An employee in Fresno who faces these paralysis diagnoses can seek disability benefits. In California, a worker who has an impairment that affects their ability to earn a living has the right to receive permanent disability benefits.
The amount they can receive depends on the level of disability assigned by a healthcare professional. This level, together with the person’s age, occupation, and injury date, is used in a specific formula. Unfortunately, the calculated amount is not always fair.
If the employee disagrees with the disability status, they can appeal the decision. To do that properly, a worker may need to work with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.
If you sustained severe spinal cord injuries at work, you have the right to receive compensation. Filing a workers’ compensation claim and fighting for fair permanent disability benefits requires legal assistance. Otherwise, it can be easy to make mistakes, especially when handling the emotional pressure related to the injury.
A competent workers’ compensation attorney from Silberman & Lam, LLP can help evaluate your situation and build a strong case on your behalf. We can help you navigate the filing process, dispute denials, and take the case to trial if necessary. To schedule a consultation, please call us at any time.
