Workers Compensation Claims Involving Nerve Damage

Nerve damage can result in a permanent disability that requires extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Nerve damage is a common type of workplace injury that may occur as a result of work related motor vehicle accidents, machinery accidents, slip and fall accidents, lifting injuries and repetitive stress trauma. When the nerve damage is a result of stretching or compression of the nerve tissues, recovery may be possible. However, when the nerve damage is caused by severing of the nerve tissues, the damage is often permanent, because there generally isn’t much that can be done to repair a severed nerve. In this post, our Chicago work injury lawyer will discuss the common types of nerve injuries that can occur in workplaces.

Common Types of Nerve Injury

Several types of nerve damage can occur because of workplace injuries, and can result in permanent disability that requires extended medical treatment and rehabilitation. Total treatment and care costs can run into millions of dollars. Some of the most common types of nerve damage that a worker can suffer include:

• Partial or complete paralysis of the limbs
• Thoracic outlet syndrome and other central nervous system injuries
• Back nerve damage, which includes lumbar, herniated disc, and sciatica
• Hand nerve injuries resulting from overuse including pinched nerve and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Shoulder Nerve Damage – rotator cuff injury
• Radial Nerve Compression
• Facial nerve damage – bell’s palsy
• Axonotmesis
• Neurapraxia
• Ulnar nerve injuries
• Neurotmesis

Symptoms of Nerve Damage

Nerves play an essential role in the human body. The autonomic nerves control critical functions such as heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. On the other hand, the motor nerves relay signals between the brain and the body. Any kind of nerve damage can pose serious problems, and affect the life of a victim in many different ways. Some of the most common symptoms of nerve damage include:

• Pain or burning
• Tingling, twitching
• Sweating, nausea
• Numbness
• Sexual dysfunction
• Bowel, bladder problems
• Weakness, paralysis
• Loss of hearing or vision
• Muscular degeneration
• Loss of balance, coordination

Common Causes of Nerve Damage

Nerve damage caused by trauma, repetitive work, or workplace environment can occur in varied occupations and workplace environments ranging from managerial work that results in carpal tunnel syndrome to bulging or herniate discs caused by lifting and carrying of heavy objects. Some common causes of work related nerve damage include:

• Electrocutions
• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Falls from heights
• Broken bones
• Motor vehicle accidents resulting in nerve damage
• Construction Related Accidents
• Industrial Accidents
• Over-extension and lifting of heavy objects

Workers Compensation Benefits for Nerve Damage

If you suffer from work related nerve injuries, you may be eligible to receive workers compensation benefits. Under the Illinois workers compensation system, you may be entitled to the following benefits depending on the severity of your injuries:

• Medical expenses
• Temporary total disability benefits equal to two-thirds of the average weekly wage, subject to a maximum limit
• Permanent total disability or permanent partial disability benefits, which are often paid as lump-sum payments
• Vocational rehabilitation benefits