There are conditions that interrupt your life and there are conditions that change your life forever. If you have suffered an injury that leaves you paralyzed, the life you knew prior to the injury is gone. These work-related car accident injury victims have the right to workers’ compensation benefits for their current and ongoing medical care.
These cases are extremely complex, and there are a number of issues that need to be addressed to ensure that you receive the care and support you need. A reliable attorney can help to ensure that your interests are protected and that all relevant issues regarding your case are fully considered.
If you have suffered a workplace injury that has left you partially or completely paralyzed, contact one of our attorneys to discuss filing a workers’ compensation claim.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as devastating as paraplegia or quadriplegia within the course or scope of employment, it is important to hire an attorney to represent you during the claims process. This is a life-altering injury that can cost millions of dollars in necessary medical treatments over the victim’s lifetime.
Unfortunately, you cannot trust an insurance company or your employer to provide fair and full financial compensation for such a serious injury. They are more likely to care about their profits than your injury. Unlike an insurer, your lawyer will work for you and you alone. A workers’ compensation lawyer in Atlanta who specializes in paralysis cases will know exactly how to demand maximum compensation for the full extent of your losses.
Your lawyer can take over negotiations with a workers’ comp insurance provider for you to prevent you from accepting an inadequate settlement. A lawyer will also have the ability to take your case to trial, if necessary. Although most workers’ comp cases achieve settlements, trial capabilities are useful if an insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable amount. You can trust a lawyer to advocate for your rights and best interests during the legal process.
Paraplegia and quadriplegia are two types of paralysis. Paralysis is a nervous system problem that takes away the ability to move and feel certain parts of your body. It is typically irreversible.
Paraplegia typically refers to the paralysis of the body from the waist down. Quadriplegia refers to the paralysis of the entire body from the neck down. Any type of brain, neck or spinal cord injury has the potential to leave the injury victim paralyzed.
The spinal cord is responsible for transferring messages between the body and the brain. If this messaging system gets disrupted by a serious injury, such as a severed spine, nerve damage, broken bone or crush injury, it can permanently interrupt this connection – preventing the victim from being able to control his or her movements and experience sensation in the affected area.
At the law firm of Hilley & Frieder, P.C., we have the commitment and the skill to secure the right benefits for your needs.
We have experience handling claims for paraplegia and quadriplegia that resulted from all types of accidents in the workplace, including:
No matter what type of accident takes away your ability to walk, move, feel normal sensations or live independently, our lawyers can help you demand justice. We can go up against any employer, corporation or institution in Georgia on your behalf to pursue just compensation.
There are three main types of workers’ compensation benefits in Georgia: medical, disability and death benefits. If you file a workers’ comp claim through your employer in Atlanta, you will need to work with an approved doctor to assess your degree of disability through an independent medical examination (IME). Then, you will submit your medical records as part of your claim to prove your eligibility for temporary total, temporary partial, permanent total or permanent partial disability benefits.
Workers’ comp disability benefits for a permanent injury such as paraplegia or quadriplegia can be substantial. You can receive weekly benefits in an amount determined by your permanent impairment rating, as assigned by an authorized treating physician. The length of time you will receive these benefits also depends on your disability rating. A permanent total disability (PTD) such as paraplegia or quadriplegia can typically pay a victim two-thirds of his or her average weekly wage for 300 weeks or longer.
It is important not to rush a workers’ compensation settlement. While it can be hard to wait for your settlement check, taking the time to negotiate with an insurance company can make an enormous difference to your family’s financial future. Hire an attorney to carefully evaluate your case and determine its value. Then, work with your attorney to submit counter offers for fair and full compensation for your permanent disability – even if you need to file a personal injury claim or go to court.
To discuss your work-related car accident injury with a lawyer at our Atlanta injury firm, call toll free 404-233-6200 today. You can also reach us via email.
We offer free case consultations so that you can get legal advice and information from a workers’ compensation lawyer at no cost or obligation.
Ronald Hilley was the contributing attorney to this content.