Spinal Cord Work Injuries, Paraplegic And Quadriplegic Injury And Workers’ Compensation
Among the most devastating injuries anyone could suffer are spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries change lives, often causing permanent paralysis and inhibiting normal bodily functions like breathing and controlling the bladder and bowels. Those who endure spinal cord injuries often become paraplegic or quadriplegic as a result. In cases of paraplegia, paralysis inhibits all or part of the trunk, legs and pelvic organs. Quadriplegia (also known as tetraplegia) affects the same areas of the body as paraplegia, in addition to the arms and sometimes the neck. Paraplegia and quadriplegia both pose substantial health risks including fatal infections, blood clots, chronic pain and a condition called autonomic dysreflexia, which can lead to stroke and death. Quadriplegics also often face life-threatening respiratory problems. The devastating emotional and mental injuries that result from a spinal cord injury are to be expected. Acceptance of such a massive loss of bodily function can be slow in coming and agonizing for the brain-injured worker. Often, fear and anxiety need to be relieved with the help of a capable medical professional. In addition to dealing with the physical side effects and the emotional anguish of a spinal cord injury, victims also face an incredible threat to their financial wellbeing. Injuries to the spinal cord often require lifelong health care, and many spinal cord injury patients need expensive medical devices and special equipment to aid in their mobility and in performing everyday tasks. A new vehicle might be required for transporting someone who is wheelchair-bound, and costly alterations to the person’s home often are necessary to accommodate equipment, a wheelchair and a special bed, and to make cooking, bathing and other common activities easier. In-home personal care and services such as housekeeping and lawn maintenance might need to be secured as well. All of these things can pose a huge financial burden, and insurance carriers faced with covering a work-related spinal cord injury will do everything they can to avoid taking responsibility. The insurance company’s priority is not the health of the worker. Their priority is to save the insurance company’s money. That’s why it’s critical to hire a good Workers’ Compensation attorney if you or someone you love has suffered an on-the-job spinal cord injury. Workers’ compensation benefits can be provided for the duration of a person’s life, depending on several factors:
- Severity of the injury
- Age of the injured person
- Past work experience
- Ability to return to work in any capacity
- Whether or not social security disability has been awarded
Suffering a spinal cord injury is overwhelming on its own. Don’t let the greed and callousness of an insurance carrier deny you or your loved one the care, equipment and services needed. At J. Franklin Burns, P.C., we are compassionate lawyers who truly care about the care and the future of those with spinal cord injuries. We have vast experience in representing workers with these injuries and we know that time is of the essence. We would be honored to be a part of assisting you or your loved one in getting the benefits that are both deserved and needed. Call us at 404-920-4708 or email us to arrange your free consultation. Please do not hesitate to call. We understand that you have many questions that need answers. We understand that you may not be able to travel to our office to get answers to your many questions. If you are unable to visit us in our office, we are happy to travel to meet you in the hospital, your home or a place that is convenient for you.