Neck Injuries in Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Claims: Your Rights to Benefits
Neck injuries can range from soft tissue strains that resolve with rest to herniated discs and spinal cord damage that require surgery and permanently change what you can do. When these injuries happen on the job, workers’ compensation benefits in Fort Lauderdale can help cover your missed earnings, medical care, and other costs.
Unfortunately, neck injuries are among the most disputed categories of workers’ comp claims in Florida, as they often involve pre-existing conditions, gradual onset, and symptoms that are difficult to measure. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer explains common types of injuries that qualify and your rights to benefits.
Common Work-Related Neck Injuries That Qualify for Workers’ Comp in Florida
The National Institutes of Health reports that musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common types of work-related injuries. Neck pain is particularly common and can happen to workers in a variety of industries.
Section 440.13 of the Florida Statutes requires employers to provide benefits for workers who get injured on the job in Fort Lauderdale. Common types of work-related neck injuries that qualify include:
- Cervical herniated discs caused by a fall, sudden impact, or the gradual breakdown of disc tissue.
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries sustained in work-related vehicle accidents or from sudden forceful movements.
- Cervical radiculopathy, resulting in pain, numbness, or weakness radiating into the shoulders and arms.
- Muscle strains and ligament sprains from overhead work, sustained awkward positioning, or a single traumatic workplace event.
- Spinal stenosis aggravated or accelerated by the physical demands of repetitive or heavy labor.
Benefits available through workers’ compensation in Fort Lauderdale can cover your lost income and medical care, but insurers are quick to dispute these claims.
Protecting Yourself When Neck Injuries Happen on the Job in Fort Lauderdale
Insurers are quick to dispute neck injury claims as symptoms are often invisible on standard imaging, pre-existing degeneration is common, and the connection to a specific workplace event can be difficult to pin down.
To protect your rights to workers’ comp in Fort Lauderdale, take these steps:
- Report your neck injury to your employer in writing as soon as symptoms appear.
- Tell your authorized treating physician exactly how the injury occurred and how it impacts you on the job.
- Keep a written account of how your symptoms change over time and the impacts on your daily life.
- Get legal help immediately if the insurer tries to deny or dispute your claim.
Insurers often argue that neck injuries are due to pre-existing conditions. Even if that’s the cause, you may still be entitled to workers’ comp.
Denied Claim? Consult Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Work-related neck injuries can be debilitating. The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A., provides trusted legal guidance and helps you get the benefits you need to recover.
To get started, call or contact our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer online. Request a consultation at our Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach office today.
Sources:
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6485986/
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0400-0499/0440/Sections/0440.13.html