Getting hurt at work can change your life in an instant. What many injured workers don't realize is that the impact of a work injury doesn't always stop with the first diagnosis. Sometimes, the original injury leads to additional medical problems down the road. In workers' compensation law, these are known as compensable consequence injuries — and they can make a big difference in the benefits you receive.
A compensable consequence injury happens when your initial work injury causes a new or secondary injury. For example, if you injured your lower back on the job and that injury causes numbness in your legs, you could lose your balance, fall, and injure your ribs or wrists. Even though those injuries didn't happen in the original accident, they're still considered part of your workers' compensation claim because they were caused by the first injury.
If your secondary injuries are accepted as compensable, you may be entitled to additional temporary disability payments if the new injury prevents you from working, a higher permanent disability rating that means more long-term compensation, and full medical treatment coverage for every body part connected to your original injury. You don't have to pay out of pocket for care related to these additional injuries.
Insurance companies don't always make it easy. They may argue that your new injuries are unrelated, or that they happened outside of work. Without the right evidence and advocacy, you could lose benefits you deserve.
That's why it's important to have an experienced workers' compensation attorney on your side. A lawyer can help gather the medical proof, present your case, and fight back when the insurance company tries to deny responsibility.
If you've suffered complications or new injuries after your initial work accident, don't wait to get legal guidance. Call us at (415) 495-7800 for a free consultation.
Free consultation. No fees unless we win your case. When you call, you’ll speak with a real person — not a call center.
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