Hickory Spinal Cord Injury at Work Lawyer

Hickory Spinal Cord Injury at Work Attorney

Suffering a spinal cord injury while on the job is a terrifying experience. These injuries alter every aspect of a victim’s life and deeply affect their physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Whether you work in Viewmont or are employed at a jobsite near the Catawba River, when you suffer a spinal cord injury, you deserve benefits through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance, and a Hickory spinal cord injury at work lawyer is here to help.

Why Work With Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC

For over 23 years, lead Attorney Lyndon R. Helton has been helping injured workers across Burke, Catawba, and Caldwell counties get the compensation they deserve after suffering an injury while on the job. Our team understands that this is a difficult time for you and your loved ones, and we take the time to get to know you and your needs. As a trusted Hickory Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, we are here to help you and your family through any difficult legal challenges that may arise in your case.

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries and How They Happen in the Hickory Workplace

Across the globe, over 15 million people are currently living with a spinal cord injury, or SCI. In the United States, 79% of all new SCI cases affect male individuals, and there are around 18,000 new traumatic spinal cord injuries that take place each year.

The spinal cord is one of the most important systems that make up the human body. It acts as a communication highway between the brain and the rest of your body. When this system receives an injury, it can result in partial or complete loss of mobility, organ function, and sensation below the area in which the injury took place.

In cases where a worker suffers a spinal cord injury, these injuries will be classified as either:

• Incomplete SCI. In these injuries, there is some sense of feeling or movement possible below the area of injury.
• Complete SCI. In these, often tragic, cases, there is no sensory or motor function below the site of the injury.

Depending on where on the body the spinal cord injury occurs, it may lead to one of the following conditions:

• Paraplegia. This is the complete paralysis of the legs and lower body of the victim.
• Tetraplegia, or quadriplegia. This is the complete paralysis of the body from the neck down, including arms and hands.

All of these injuries will call for long-term treatment and care, accessibility equipment, and a complete overhaul and restructuring of the victim’s work and home life if you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury while on the job in Hickory, the team at Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC is here to listen to your story and advocate for your rights to workers’ compensation.

Spinal cord injuries can take place at virtually any job site, ranging from an office job to a dangerous industrial warehouse. However, a large majority of these accidents happen under very specific circumstances, including:

• Falling from a great height, such as from scaffolding, roofing, or ladders
• In a heavy machinery accident, including accidents that occur at warehouses, factories, or on a construction site
• Falling objects or injuries due to crushing
• Slips and falls on unsafe or wet surfaces
• Motor vehicle accidents, including accidents involving semi-truck drivers, delivery drivers, utility workers, or transport workers

What to Do Following Spinal Cord Injury on the Job

When a spinal cord injury happens on the job, you are entitled to file a claim with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company. However, the process involved can prove tricky, and in the aftermath of an accident, taking certain steps can help protect your rights to recover benefits. If you suffer a spinal cord injury while at work in Hickory, you need to take the following steps:

• Call 911 and do not move until first responders arrive
• Get medical attention and save all records, receipts, or related medical documentation
• Preserve evidence, including photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and the contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident
• Notify your employer as soon as you are able
• Consult an attorney who can offer guidance on how to go about recovering your due workers’ compensation benefits.

FAQs About Hickory, NC Spinal Cord Injury at Work Laws

What Are Some Common Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury can carry several symptoms that are important to watch out for after an on-the-job accident. These symptoms include back pain, neck pain, sudden muscle weakness or spasticity, the loss of bladder control or bowel control, also referred to as “incontinence”, numbness or tingling sensations, and difficulty breathing.

What Damages Can Be Recovered Through Workers’ Compensation?

Through workers’ compensation, there are several damages you may be able to recover following a spinal cord injury. These damages can include all related medical costs, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and accessibility equipment; wage replacement if you cannot return to work; compensation for any permanent disability; and vocational rehabilitation costs.

Can a Spinal Cord Injury Lead to Permanent Disability?

Yes, a spinal cord injury can absolutely lead to permanent disability. These injuries have the ability to negatively impact both your overall mobility and your capability of carrying out the duties of your job, which can lead to lifelong disability. These injuries may also keep you from being able to participate in social activities you once enjoyed, and you may be eligible to recover disability benefits based on your impairment level.

What Are Some Examples of Other Injuries That Can Take Place at Work?

There are several examples of injuries that can take place at work in Hickory, aside from spinal cord injuries. These include injuries to the back, head, shoulder, or knees. Injuries can also include traumatic brain injuries, ranging from a mild concussion to severe brain damage, broken bones, loss of limbs or medically necessary amputations, and even death.

Hire a Hickory Spinal Cord Injury at Work Lawyer Today

If you have suffered a spinal cord injury at your place of employment in Hickory, it is crucial that you hire a spinal cord injury at work lawyer from Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC. To learn more about how we can help and to schedule a consultation, contact our offices today.