Have you suffered a work-related back injury in Oklahoma? You may file a workers’ compensation claim if so. Workers’ compensation benefits cover the cost of medical bills and offset a portion of your lost income.
What is the average workers’ compensation settlement for a back injury in Oklahoma? Several factors can influence how much compensation you may receive.
What Is the Average Workers’ Comp Settlement for Back Injury Claims in Oklahoma?
Information from the National Safety Council (NSC) offers insights into the average workers’ compensation settlement for a back and neck injury. The average costs of such worker’s comp claims in a recent year were as follows:
- $65,659 for neck injuries
- $39,328 for lower back injuries
- $35,439 for upper back injuries
The data also indicates that settlement amounts increase when injuries involve multiple body parts. The average workers’ compensation cost when an injury involves multiple body parts is $62,257.
Note that these are costs to the insurer, not the average settlement the worker actually received.
What Affects Your Workers’ Comp Settlement Back Injury Compensation?
Multiple factors can affect how much you may receive in workers’ compensation benefits after a spinal cord injury. They include the following:
- The location of the injury – As the NSC data reveals, the average cost for a lower back injury tends to be higher than that for an upper back injury. Neck injury costs are even higher. Thus, cervical (upper) spine injury settlement amounts may be higher than settlement amounts involving other spinal cord injuries.
- The cost of medical treatment – Workers’ compensation benefits cover necessary medical care after a work-related injury, and a settlement can include money for future medical expenses.
- Whether you have any lost wages – Your injuries may prevent you from working and earning an income. Your settlement could reflect this by including compensation for lost wages.
Those are just some of the factors contributing to a workplace neck and back injury settlement amount. Other factors may also come into play, depending on the details.
What To Do After a Back or Neck Injury at Work
After sustaining a neck or back injury in the workplace, injured workers should take the following steps:
- Contact emergency medical services if this is a genuine emergency
- Report the accident to your employer, and don’t say you feel fine until you’ve seen a doctor
- Take pictures of the conditions at the accident scene
- Take pictures of your injuries
- Get the names and contact information of witnesses
- Preserve your medical records
Next, see a doctor if you are not transported from the scene. You should take this step even if you don’t believe you’ve sustained work-related back injuries. Remember, your employer has the right to choose the physician who sees you.
Contact Our Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Lawyers For Help
The workers’ compensation system is complicated, and you should not go through the process of filing a workers’ comp claim alone. A workers’ compensation lawyer can protect your rights and pursue your benefits while you prioritize your recovery.
At Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, an Oklahoma workers’ compensation attorney is on hand to offer the representation you deserve. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us for a free case review.
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