When people are hurt on the job, their employers are supposed to take care of them. This is why employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If you suffer a catastrophic injury and your claim is denied, you should speak with one of our Chicago workers’ comp attorneys immediately.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is just what you would think it is. These are injuries that are life-changing. Many of our clients who have suffered a catastrophic injury need medical care for the rest of their lives.
Even those workers who recover are never really the same again. The odds of your being able to do the same kind of work after the fact may be low. This is why our Chicago injury lawyers work so hard to make sure their clients are well taken care of.
Chicago Workers’ Comp Attorneys Know Which Injuries Are Considered Catastrophic
Over the years, our Chicago workers’ comp attorneys have handled more than our fair share of catastrophic injury cases. While there is no specific list of which injuries qualify as catastrophic, some of the more common ones include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Closed head injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- Facial disfigurement
- Neck and back injuries
- Total vision or hearing loss
Of course, you can suffer these types of injuries in a variety of ways. However, people who work in certain industries, such as construction, are at a much higher risk of suffering from a catastrophic injury.
Which Workers Are Most Likely to Suffer a Catastrophic Injury?
While there’s the chance that any employee could suffer a catastrophic injury, certain workers are at a much higher risk.
Construction Workers Often Suffer Severe Injuries
If you work in construction, there are many ways you could suffer a catastrophic injury. Some of the more common construction accidents that can cause severe injuries include:
- Falls from scaffolding or buildings
- Being hit in the head with heavy debris
- Injuries caused by heavy or defective equipment
- Having a wall or other structure fall on top of you
This list is not exhaustive. Our Chicago workers’ comp attorneys have helped many construction workers with devastating injuries over the years.
People Who Work in the Oil and Gas Industry Risk Their Lives Every Day
In addition to construction workers, people who work in the oil and gas industry are also at a high risk of suffering a catastrophic injury. These workers leave home every day knowing it could be the last time they see their family.
Some of the dangerous conditions oil and gas workers experience on a daily basis include:
- Chemical fires
- Explosions
- Equipment malfunctions
- Hit in the head with heavy machinery
Our Chicago injury lawyers have represented a number of oil and gas workers over the years.
Our Chicago Injury Lawyers Have Also Represented Our Fair Share of Firefighters
As you may imagine, firefighters are also at a high risk of serious injury on the job. They encounter some of the most dangerous situations imaginable. They rush into burning buildings knowing there’s a chance they won’t make it back out.
Many firefighters also have to climb tall ladders to save fire victims. There is a chance that they could fall and suffer a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or paralysis.
Your Chicago Workers’ Comp Attorney Will Make Sure Your Medical Treatment Is Covered
All Chicago employees who go out on workers’ compensation are entitled to certain benefits. As your Chicago workers’ comp attorney will explain during your free, initial consultation, you will be entitled to the following benefits:
- Medical care and future medical care for your catastrophic injuries
- Weekly replacement wages equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wages
- Vocational rehabilitation if you are no longer able to do the same kind of work that you did prior to your workplace accident
Your Chicago injury lawyer will make sure you receive the benefits you deserve. As long as they can prove that you meet the criteria for workers’ compensation, there shouldn’t be a problem. Unfortunately, there are times when your employer either tries to force you back to work too soon or refuses to cover your medical treatment.
Many Workers With Catastrophic Injuries Require Long-Term Care
One of the reasons our Chicago workers’ comp attorneys treat these cases differently is because your long-term medical care may be extensive. Unlike other workers, you won’t be healed and back to work in a matter of weeks. In fact, it could be over a year before you can even entertain going back to work.
Many employees who suffer a catastrophic injury need medical care for the rest of their lives. In the experience of our Chicago injury lawyers, our clients have required the following:
- Personal nursing staff around the clock
- Multiple surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Durable medical equipment
- Medications
The list could go on and on. If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury, then you know how scary it can be. To think that you may not be able to work again can be devastating. While some people assume that being on workers’ compensation is like being on vacation, they clearly have never been in your shoes.
Contact a Skilled Chicago Workers’ Comp Attorney Immediately
If you suffered a catastrophic injury at work, you will face a long road to recovery. It’s only fair that your employer takes care of you and makes sure you receive the medical treatment you need. If they don’t, your Chicago workers’ comp attorney will make sure they do.
It’s hard for your employer or the insurance company to argue that your injuries aren’t work-related. This is especially true if you have proof that you were hurt on the job. Our Chicago injury lawyers work hard to make sure their clients receive the benefits they deserve.
We recommend that you contact our office immediately after your catastrophic injury occurs. This way, we can come out and meet with you free of charge. This way, we can review your claim and explain what your options are.