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If you suffer a spinal cord injury on the job, the losses you experience can be immense, and obtaining the compensation to which you’re entitled is key to your recovery. Workers’ compensation claims are complex legal matters, but working closely with an experienced Buffalo, NY, workers’ compensation attorney can make a great difference in how your case is resolved and in ensuring that it’s in your best interest.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The Mayo Clinic shares that spinal cord injuries can happen anywhere on the spinal cord, which sends and receives the signals between the brain and specific parts of the body and, therefore, plays a critical role in the range of motion. Even a relatively minor spinal cord injury can lead to permanent losses in relation to overall strength, sense of feeling, and the specific bodily functions in the area below the injury site. The more serious the injury is, the more significant the losses experienced, and when the spinal cord is severed or crushed, the victim is subject to paralysis.
Common Causes
Spinal cord injuries are often caused by lifting injuries, as well as traumatic blows to the spine or back, which can be caused by any of the following:
- Falls from heights and other slip and fall accidents
- Accidents involving heavy equipment
- Work-related traffic accidents
- Falling objects
- Accidents in which employees are caught in between two heavy and unyielding forces, which OSHA identifies as one of their fatal four for construction workers
Spinal cord injuries can also be the result of repetitive motion or repetitive strain on the spine.
Workers’ Compensation in New York
If you are injured in the course of your work in New York – or in any other state in the nation – you are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. This is coverage that your employer is required to purchase on your behalf, and it works like this:
- Employees are guaranteed coverage regardless of fault, which isn’t taken into consideration. In the process, they give up the right to file personal injury claims against their employers in pursuit of more comprehensive coverage.
- While employers are required to purchase this insurance coverage for their employees, they’re relieved of the risk that they’ll face more costly, more time consuming, and more disruptive personal injury claims in response to injuries or illness sustained on the job.
Compensation Sought
In your workers’ compensation claim, you can seek compensation for each of the following:
- A specific percentage of your lost wages
- Your necessary medical expenses, which can be immense in the face of a spinal cord injury and may include the need for assistance with the activities of daily living if your injury is very serious
- A permanent disability award if the spinal cord injury you sustain keeps you off the job long-term and you have medical permanency findings
An Experienced Buffalo Spinal Cord Injuries Attorney Can Help
If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury on the job, the trusted spinal cord injuries attorneys at Sawers & Sackel – proudly serving the City of Buffalo, Erie County, Niagara County, Chautauqua County, and Cattaraugus County, along with the cities of Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany and the surrounding counties of Monroe, Onondaga, and Albany – are committed to actively advocating for your claim’s best possible resolution in support of your most complete recovery. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us at 716-202-2367 to schedule a free consultation today.