Can You Be Compensated While Out Of Work With A Neck Injury?

A neck injury in the workplace can seriously affect an employee's life. Those who suffer these injuries may struggle to keep up with their job duties and see detrimental effects outside of work as well.

These injuries can happen in sudden unexpected workplace accidents, such as a car crash or being struck by a falling tool on a construction site. However, many work-related neck injuries develop gradually over time due to repetitive motions. In either instance, injured workers are entitled to Workers' Compensation benefits when a neck injury impairs their ability to work.

How Do I Get Workers' Comp?

While you're entitled to benefits if your injury was related to your job duties, the process of actually receiving these benefits can get complicated. This is especially true for repetitive motion injuries, such as neck strains due to hunching over a workbench 40 hours a week for several years. With these types of injuries, insurance companies are quick to deny claims by suggesting that the injury is not work-related.

Even traumatic neck injuries from direct blows face resistance from employers and insurance companies. Insurance representatives are paid to deny claims - this is the whole business model behind the insurance industry. They make their money by finding ways to avoid paying out benefits, even to people who deserve them.

In order to file a successful claim, you must provide detailed medical evidence for your injuries and make sure to report the injury to your employer as soon as you notice it. However, this is only the part of the process.  It's often necessary to have a work injury lawyer who has experience dealing with insurance companies.

Common Workplace Risk Factors

Workplace neck injuries usually fall into one of two categories. They can happen in an accident, or slowly build up over years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2015 there were 15,950 neck injuries requiring days missed from work. Common workplace dangers which could result in a neck injury include:

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Anyone who drives for work is at risk of a neck injury if they get into an accident. If you've ever been rear-ended before, you may be familiar with how painful and debilitating a condition like whiplash can be. If your accident was caused by a negligent driver (not a co-worker), you may have grounds for a personal injury claim in addition to Workers' Comp.

Slips And Falls

When you slip, fall, and land on a hard surface, the impact to your body can result in serious injuries. If you land on your neck, you could experience damaged tissues in your neck, ruptured discs, and possibly even spinal cord damage or paralyzation.

Workers in occupations which require working from heights, such as roofers, construction workers, and electricians, are at risk of neck injuries if they fall. Those in hectic workplace environments in which a spill or wet surface could go unnoticed are also at a high risk - examples include factory workers, warehouse workers, and healthcare workers.

Working In Awkward Positions

Some types of labor require workers to work from unnatural positions which may require them to strain or twist their necks. Over time, this can easily wear down on your neck muscles and cause chronic pain. Examples include plumbers, masons, and iron workers.

What Can A Lawyer Do For Me?

A lawyer can protect your legal right to compensation by taking on the insurance companies who try to deny your claim. Many injured workers have their first claim denied, get discouraged, and give up. This is exactly what these companies want you to do.

Don't let their tactics work. It's important to fight back for the compensation you need and deserve when out of work with a neck injury. A lawyer can help you gather all of the necessary evidence for your claim, file paperwork, and work with the insurance company on your behalf. They can also help you discover other possible forms of compensation, such as Social Security Disability and personal injury claims.

These companies are much less likely to play games when they know you have experienced legal representation. At Monheit Law, we offer risk-free service through free consultations and contingency fees. That means you pay us nothing unless we win for you.

Supplemental Pages

• Our guide to Workers' Compensation for injured workers
• Repetitive strain injuries due to work conditions
• Seeking compensation as an injured iron worker
• Work-related spinal cord and back injuries