How Surgery Can Impact Your Workers’ Compensation Settlement in Mobile, AL

Workers’ compensation claims are generally straightforward, but there are circumstances that make the entire process far more complex. If your injury is serious enough to warrant surgical treatment, you may find that it affects the settlement you ultimately receive from your employer or their workers’ comp insurance provider.

If you’ve been approved for surgery by your care provider and you’re wondering how your workers’ comp claim may be affected, it’s time to talk to the workers’ comp team at Thiry & Caddell. Call us at 251-478-8880 to set up a consultation now.

Eligibility for Surgery Coverage

Per the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Division, workers’ compensation will generally cover medical treatment deemed necessary for your work-related injuries. This is up to and including surgical treatment. However, before workers’ compensation agrees to pay for the cost of surgical treatment, they may ask for additional documentation showing that the treatment is the best option for the injury in question and that the injury they’re treating occurred at work.

In Alabama, employers or their workers’ comp insurance providers can choose the healthcare provider that an injured employee sees. As you work toward surgical treatment, ensure that each specialist you see is approved. The good news is that care providers who are used to workers’ compensation cases know the hoops they have to jump through to have procedures approved. This may limit the work needed on your end.

How Surgery May Impact Your Settlement

Undergoing surgery for a work-related injury may have a significant impact on your workers’ compensation settlement. Surgery is incredibly expensive, especially when you account for post-operative care, pain treatment, rehabilitation, and any follow-up treatment needed. If your injury is severe enough to warrant this level of medical care, there’s a good chance that it’s worth more than an injury that can be treated with non-invasive options.

In addition to the demands of surgery itself, there’s always the chance that surgery will result in you being temporarily or permanently disabled. If the surgery goes wrong and leaves you with long-term impairment, you should be compensated for that. A fair settlement would then include compensation for lost earning capacity and diminished quality of life.

Legal Considerations and Ensuring Proper Documentation

When you’re dealing with expensive surgical treatments, it is crucial to double-check everything to ensure you do not end up on the hook for them. The workers’ compensation system can get complicated very quickly when you’re talking about costly treatments and final settlements.

First, make sure you keep your employer and their workers’ comp provider up-to-date on your treatment and your overall progress. Providing them updates on your appointments and treatment recommendations ensures that they are keeping up with the paperwork and approvals on their end. Whenever you get paperwork from your care providers, make copies for your own records.

If you are required to do physical therapy or occupational therapy exercises, keep a running log of the time you spend on your required exercises. This shows that you are doing your part to recover and that you are doing everything you can before turning to surgical treatment options.

While you do have to do your part in a workers’ comp case, don’t forget that you also have rights. Although your company can expect you to provide updates and comply with your treatment plan, they cannot make you jump through unnecessary hoops in an effort to deny your claim. If your employer begins making unreasonable requests of you, it may be time to talk to a Mobile workers’ compensation lawyer about your next steps.

Negotiating a Fair Settlement

It is essential to turn to a workers’ comp attorney when it’s time to negotiate a settlement for your workers’ compensation case. The initial number you get may seem fair or even higher than expected, but it’s easy to underestimate the sheer amount of money and income lost to a workplace injury. You’ll need to account for ongoing rehabilitation needs, ongoing medical care, lost wages, lost future earning opportunities, and chronic pain. An attorney can help you understand the true value of your claim.

Discuss Your Options and Next Steps with Thiry & Caddell

Wherever you are in your workers’ compensation claim, the team at Thiry & Caddell is here to help you. Set up a consultation right away by calling us at 251-478-8880 or getting in touch online.

How Surgery Can Impact Your Workers’ Compensation Settlement in Mobile, AL

Discover how undergoing surgery for a work-related injury can influence your workers’ compensation settlement in Mobile, AL. From understanding eligibility for surgery coverage to navigating legal considerations and ensuring proper documentation, the experienced workers’ comp team at Thiry & Caddell is here to guide you. Call us at 251-478-8880 to set up a consultation and protect your rights throughout the process.

Service Type: workers compensation attorney