Many accidents can happen while you are at work. You might slip and fall, get hit by a workplace vehicle, or get assaulted, and sustain injuries in different parts of your body. Fortunately, Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system protects employees who are hurt on the job.
Still, you might not get the support you deserve. Insurance companies may doubt the gravity of your injury, dispute the treatment you need, or offer an insufficient settlement. It can be especially concerning when you have suffered a back injury.
At Osterbauer Law Firm, we help you understand the workers’ comp settlement for back injury in Minneapolis.
Why Back Injuries Are Serious
There are many different types of back injuries. A sprain or strain, for example, is when you pull or twist a muscle or tendon. A herniated disc occurs when one of the discs between your vertebrae becomes damaged and presses or irritates a nearby nerve. A fractured vertebra is a break in one of the bones of your spine, while spinal stenosis involves a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord.
The symptoms can vary just as much. You might experience the following:
- Pain or tenderness
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness or spasms
- Bruising or swelling
- Difficulty walking or standing straight
Some back injuries are relatively minor and improve significantly with time, activity modification, medication, physical therapy, or other conservative treatment. Others are so serious that they can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, nerve problems, or permanent restrictions on what you can do.
In severe cases, a back injury can result in permanent paralysis and affect your independence and your ability to participate in activities. There is also an emotional side to consider. Living with nonstop discomfort or worrying about whether you can continue working and earning can take a toll on your mood and quality of life.
What Are Workers’ Comp Settlements?
A workers’ comp settlement is an agreement that resolves some or all the issues related to your workers’ comp claim. Instead of continuing to dispute certain benefits through the system, you and the insurance company may agree to a specific amount or arrangement to resolve the claim.
A settlement can be a useful option. For instance, if your medical condition has stabilized, and you have a clearer idea of your future needs, receiving an agreed-upon settlement may give you greater certainty about your financial situation.
Settling a claim can also avoid the stress and uncertainty of continuing a dispute. Rather than wondering how long the process will take or what the outcome will be, you may be able to resolve the matter and move forward.
Workers’ Comp Settlement for Back Injury in Minneapolis
There is no single settlement amount that applies to every workplace back injury. It may take several things into account, such as the following:
- The Type and Severity of Your Injury: A temporary muscle strain that heals completely is very different from a herniated disc that causes ongoing nerve pain. A spinal injury requiring surgery may have a much greater impact on your life than an injury that responds well to physical therapy.
- Permanent Impairment or Restrictions: If your doctor determines that you have reached maximum improvement, your medical condition may be evaluated to determine whether you have a permanent impairment. Work restrictions can matter, too. If you can no longer lift heavy objects, stand for long periods, or bend repeatedly, it will affect your future employment options.
- Your Age and Earning Capacity: Imagine a worker who suffers a serious back injury early in their career and can no longer perform physically demanding work. That person may have decades of potential earnings ahead of them, making the impact of the injury particularly significant. Your wages before the injury and your capability to earn income afterward can also affect your situation.
- Medical Treatment and Future Care: You may need emergency treatment, diagnostic imaging, doctor appointments, prescription medications, physical therapy, injections, or surgery. Those are the expenses you can see right away. But what about five or 10 years from now?
- Lost Wages and Your Ability to Work: A back injury can keep you away from work while you recover. Workers’ comp may provide benefits related to lost wages, depending on the circumstances of your claim.
You may come across examples that place different types of back injuries into broad settlement ranges. Some cite figures such as $5,000 to $20,000 for uncomplicated strains, $20,000 to $50,000 for some disc injuries, $80,000 to $175,000 or more for certain surgical cases, and substantially higher amounts for catastrophic spinal injuries.
These numbers should never be treated as a calculator for your case. The diagnosis alone does not determine a settlement. Remember, once you accept a workers’ comp settlement for back injury in Minneapolis, you cannot reopen your claim even if your condition eventually worsens. That is why it is crucial to look beyond the dollar amount on an insurance company’s offer.
The Role of a Workers’ Comp Attorney
You are already dealing with discomfort, medical appointments, paperwork, and concerns about your finances. At the same time, you may be expected to learn complicated workers’ comp rules. As such, it is worth hiring a lawyer.
A workers’ comp lawyer can review your claim, explain the benefits that may be available, and help you understand what an insurance company’s offer means. They can gather documentation and negotiate on your behalf. Perhaps most importantly, they can help you think about the future rather than focusing only on today’s bills.
If you are considering a settlement, your attorney can evaluate what you may be giving up by agreeing to it. You do not have to make these decisions alone.
Get in Touch with Your Lawyer Now
If you have suffered a back injury at work and are unsure what to do next, you can turn to Osterbauer Law Firm. We have 20 years of experience supporting people as they navigate workers’ comp claims. Our team offers free initial consultations, and you do not pay legal fees unless we succeed.
Let us ensure your workers’ comp settlement for back injury in Minneapolis truly serves you. Call (612) 334-3434 or contact us online. We are ready to listen to your story, answer your questions, and explore possible solutions.