Many workers, including those in the construction and manufacturing industries, are at risk of falling or having items fall onto them. These situations can lead to spinal cord injuries. In some cases, the impacts of the injury are only temporary; however, a catastrophic injury will affect the person for the rest of their life.
There are many points that you need to remember about spinal cord injuries in these cases. It can be hard to think of everything at once. Here are a few important facts to keep in mind:
- Injuries higher on the spinal cord have more loss of function
- The area impacted by the injury is always lower than the location of the damage
- Spinal shock can make the injury seem worse in the first days and weeks
- Complete injuries have more serious effects than incomplete injuries
- Medication, surgery and therapy might all be used to treat spinal cord injuries
In many cases, a person with a serious spinal cord injury isn’t going to be able to return to work. If they are able to do so eventually, there is usually a lengthy healing period that has to pass before they can go back to work. This means you will be without your normal wages at a time when you might need more money to cover care costs.
Workers who have an on-the-job spinal cord injury might opt to pursue a claim for workers’ compensation. This covers medical bills and might provide partial wage replacement benefits. Other options, including a third-party claim, might be possible if the incident was the result of another party’s negligence. Exploring the options might help you determine what course of action you should take.
