What's the Correct Employer Workers Compensation for a Back Injury?

by Alex
(Coeur d Alene, Idaho, USA)

I have an employer workers compensation question... I was 3 1/2 months pregnant working at major fast food restaurant chain. My boss told me to go get a fry box out of the freezer. I told her it was too heavy, but she just yelled at me. I went to the freezer to get it. The box was frozen on top of another box so I used force to get it down, when it broke free it fell on my stomach.

I still picked up the box anyway, I was so mad. After that I started having lower back pain and stomach pain. I was put on bed rest 2 weeks after the incident. Workmans comp failed to pay me so I got a lawyer. I've been off work now for 14 months. I ended up doing physical therapy for 5 weeks untill they did an MRI that showed I had a herniated disc (l4 & l5).

I've tried chiropractors and saw a neurosurgeon who did 2 epidural shots. Now I found out the only thing that will help is surgery. I'm 22 and my lawyer said he's getting a mediator now. So I was just wondering how much you think I'd be able to receive in a settlement? Thank you.

Disclaimer: Information provided in our response is NOT formal legal advice. It is generic legal information based on the very limited information you provided. Under no circumstances should the information in our response, or anywhere else on this site be relied upon when making decisions about your case. You should always get a formal case review from a licensed attorney.

ANSWER for "What's the Correct Employer Workers Compensation for a Back Injury?":

Alex:

Your injuries appear to be quite serious. Seeking the advice and representation of a personal injury – Workers Compensation Attorney was the correct decision. Your attorney’s decision to bring the case to mediation usually means you will not have to suffer the difficulties inherent in many trials.

As much as we would like to tell you how much you can expect to receive in a settlement, without knowing all the details, including all the legal issues involved, it would be virtually impossible to even hazard a guess. Additionally, because you are represented by an attorney any comments we might make would be legally inappropriate.

Since laws change frequently and across jurisdictions you should get a personalized case evaluation from an attorney licensed in your state (if you haven't already). Find an experienced local attorney to give you a FREE personalized case review here.


Best of luck,

Law Guy