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Neck Injuries and Illinois Workers’ Compensation

A neck injury can occur anywhere from the back of the head down into the shoulders. Injury to the neck (also called the cervical spine) can be caused over time by stress or repetitive motion, or by a single trauma or one-time incident. Neck injuries range in severity from just a “kink” to severe pain requiring surgery or even permanent damage that causes paralysis.

Neck injuries can happen on the job, and when they do, they are often are caused by job-related activities. Here is an overview.

Types of neck injuries

There are several places in the neck where injury can occur. Pain can be caused strain or injury to the soft tissues – muscles, ligaments and nerves – or to the cervical spine or disks between the cervical vertebrae.

Neck strain or inflammation can be caused by holding your head in an awkward position for too long, such as looking at a computer, or repetitive motion using your upper body, such as lifting heavy or awkward objects. Tension is another common cause of neck pain. Neck injuries can also occur suddenly, in an accident or fall.

Certain degenerative diseases also cause neck pain, including rheumatoid arthritis and cervical disk degeneration.

Neck injury symptoms can range from general stiffness to shooting pains, which can spread down to your shoulders, back and arms. Shooting pain is often a sign of a herniated disc. A torn or ruptured disc can lead to a herniated disc, which can cause you to feel nauseated and dizzy, or develop a headache, in addition to neck pain. A fracture or dislocation is a serious injury that can lead to permanent injury and paralysis.

Treatment of neck injuries

After suffering a neck injury or developing symptoms, your priority should be medical treatment. Don’t delay. If you are involved in an accident, and have neck pain, get treatment right away.

In cases where there was no accident, see a doctor if you have neck pain that won’t go away or is accompanied by pain that radiates down the arms or legs or if you experience numbness, tingling, headaches or weakness. See a doctor as soon as you begin to feel symptoms. Waiting is not only bad for your health, but it can weaken your workers’ compensation claim. Many Illinois workers’ compensation claims involve repetitive activities that put a lot of pressure on the neck or spinal cord.

In addition to emergency medical attention, if needed, be sure to get a referral to a doctor who specializes in neck injuries. Not only will this increase your treatment options, but a report from an orthopedist or neurosurgeon is generally seen as more credible than one from a chiropractor or general practice physician.

Treatment for neck strain may include pain relievers, physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, neck brace, and in some cases surgery.

When meeting with your doctor, be clear about how your injury happened. If it was work related, explain how. If the doctor does not properly document what happened to you it could kill your case. And if you are feeling symptoms other than neck pain, make sure to mention them. Basically, we recommend being honest and thorough.

Benefits

If you suffer a neck injury at work, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, which include payment for lost wages and medical coverage. Having a pre-existing condition does not disqualify you. Even if you already had neck problems, an incident at work that aggravates or accelerates the problem should be covered. You may also be eligible for compensation based on the permanency of your injury.

Attorneys

Neck injuries can change your life forever. If you have legal action that you can take, it is important to have a lawyer in your corner that has a track record of success representing clients with neck injuries and truly understands the medicine behind them. If the attorney you are thinking of hiring can’t name most of the local orthopedics or neurosurgeons, it’s a bad sign.

All injury attorneys work on a contingency basis which means that they only get paid if they win the case or make a recovery for you. In other words, you should get the best, most experienced one you can find as the cost is almost always the same.

If you have questions about a work-related neck injury or would like a referral, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Talking to our attorneys is free and confidential.