While almost all work-related injuries suffered by employees are compensable, some injuries are particularly devastating to an employee’s ability to earn an income and require extensive medical treatment, If an employee suffers a nerve injury or sustains neurological damage in the workplace, it not only will affect his or her earning capacity but also will likely affect every aspect of his or her life. If you sustained nerve injuries or neurological damage due to a workplace accident or conditions on the job, you may be entitled to recover workers’ compensation benefits. An experienced Riverside and San Bernardino County workers’ compensation lawyer can analyze the circumstances surrounding an injury and may assist you in recovering the benefits to which you are entitled. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Joseph Richards vigorously advocate on behalf of injured workers to assist them in recovering benefits. We represent people throughout Southern California from offices in Orange County and Riverside County.
Neurological damage and nerve injuries encompass any injury to the brain, spine, or nervous system. They can range in significance. While injuries to the nerves can occur in any work environment, they occur more frequently in certain professions. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a relatively minor nerve injury caused by repetitive activities. It is often diagnosed in assembly line workers and individuals who type frequently. Traumatic brain injuries or injuries to the spinal cord are examples of severe neurological injuries that frequently occur in employees who are engaged in professions with a high risk of falling, such as construction workers and roofers. Neurological damage can also occur due to exposure to harmful chemicals, resulting in numbness and tingling in the arms and legs.
Under California workers’ compensation law, employers are required to provide workers’ compensation benefits to any employee who sustains a work-related injury or illness. It is not necessary to prove that your employer was negligent and that its negligence caused your injury; instead, you must prove that you sustained your injury during your employment. While sometimes the cause of a nerve injury or neurological damage is easily identifiable, such as when an employee suffers brain damage due to a fall, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer may deny that your injury is work-related if the cause of the injury is not obvious.
If your employer or its insurer disputes the cause of your nerve injury, your attorney may engage in discovery to obtain evidence to support the argument that your injury is work-related. Additionally, you may need to engage the services of a medical expert to provide an opinion regarding the cause of your injury. Attempting to recover workers’ compensation benefits after you sustained a work-related nerve injury or neurological damage can be overwhelming. Thus, you should consult an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer to represent you in your claim and ensure that your condition is properly evaluated and that you receive the full amount of benefits to which you may be entitled.
If you suffer a work-related nerve injury or neurological damage, you may be entitled to recover the cost of any medical treatment that you undergo for your injury and the costs of traveling to and from your treatment. If you cannot work due to your injury, you may recover disability benefits as well. Disabilities are classified as temporary or permanent and total or partial. Temporary disability benefits are generally payable for up to 104 weeks, while the length of time that an employee receives permanent partial disability benefits depends on the employee’s permanent disability rating. Additionally, if you cannot return to your prior job due to your injury, you may be entitled to benefits to allow you to receive training that will assist you in obtaining a job in a new field.
The attorneys at Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C. recognize the difficulties caused by nerve injuries and work tirelessly to help injured employees recover the benefits that they are owed. Our offices are located in Orange County and Riverside County, and we regularly assist individuals in recovering workers’ compensation benefits in Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Irvine, Moreno Valley, Corona, Temecula, El Centro, Long Beach, San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, and San Diego. We represent injured employees in other cities in Orange, Riverside, Imperial, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties as well. Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C. may thoroughly explain each step of the process of recovering benefits and may work diligently to ensure that you receive the full amount of compensation to which you are entitled. Contact us at (888) 883-6588 or via our online form to set up a consultation.