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Common Types of Work-Related Ankle Injuries
Ankle injuries are some of the many common types of work injuries appearing in workers’ compensation claims. These injuries, like any other, can result immediately from an accident or develop over time from repeated movement and stress due to heavy lifting and other strenuous tasks. The ankle consists of multiple muscles, tendons, and joints, all of which are vulnerable to injury in certain circumstances.
Some of the more common types of ankle injuries include:
- Bone fractures to the fibula, tibia, or talus
- Tendinitis resulting from irritation or inflammation in the tendons
- Strains or sprains resulting from twisting, turning, or rolling the ankle
- Cartilage damage
How Work-Related Ankle Injuries Happen
There are many different potential causes of ankle injuries on the job, whether in or out of the workplace. Some injuries can occur immediately from accidents as a result of faulty equipment or employee or employer negligence. Other injuries can take as long as weeks, months, or years to develop following repeated stress put on the ankle. In some cases, injuries may be instant but not even develop symptoms until after the initial accident. Travel can also put employees at risk of injury in a traffic accident when employees are required to drive a personal or company vehicle from one location to another on the job.
Whether an ankle injury is large or small, immediate or gradual, you may be able to seek compensation.
Getting Treatment for Ankle Injuries
Many victims of work-related ankle injuries will need rest and relaxation to fully recover, while others may require more extensive treatment if the injury is more severe. Medications and cortisone injections may be sufficient, while other more serious injuries may require stabilization using support or surgery, followed by rehabilitation.
Filing a Claim for Ankle Injuries
Many people are worried about filing a workers’ compensation claim because they lack the general knowledge regarding the claims process. However, a reliable attorney can help you successfully navigate the process from filing the claim to recovering compensation. Illinois offers two main ways to file a claim: with your employer or with the state.
When seeking compensation for any type of injury from an employer, workers must provide them with a written description of the incident that resulted in the injury within 45 days of the incident, unless the injury became apparent following this period. The employer can choose to either deny or accept the claim, but they will also be required to submit a written description explaining the reason for their decision. If the employer accepts the claim, they will be responsible for providing benefits and access to health care. If the employer chooses to deny the claim, you can still file an appeal with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC), which will investigate your claim and the employer’s decision.
Workers also have the option of bypassing the employer’s decision and filing a claim directly with the IWCC to speed up the claims process, which may be ideal if you believe the employer is likely to reject the claim. However, you will still need to provide a written description detailing the injury and accident that caused it.
Knowledgeable and Experienced Ankle Injury Workers’ Comp Attorneys
Regardless of the type of injury you sustained in the workplace, you likely have one or more of the following concerns:
- When you can return to work
- How you’ll be able to support yourself and your family until you can return to work
- The amount of compensation you can recover with a workers’ comp claim
- When you’ll be able to cover all medical expenses
At Vasilatos Injury Law, we will be able to help you file your workers’ comp claim, provide representation in and out of court, and help you seek the compensation you deserve. Our team of experienced attorneys understands the importance of being able to restore your life to the way it was prior to your injury.
We will determine precisely how the injury has impacted your employment, finances, and overall wellbeing, and will help you seek the benefits you deserve. We’ll work with you to ensure you get a fair settlement that covers medical expenses along with any lost wages resulting from time taken off of work to recover.
We have provided reliable representation for many clients who have suffered from ankle injuries on the job along with many other types of injuries sustained in work-related incidents. We will work hard to help you restore your life to the way it was.
How Compensation Can Help Following Ankle Injuries
If you sustain an ankle injury or any other type of injury or illness on the job, you may be able to recover total compensation to help you cover the treatment needed to make a full recovery. Compensation can help pay for a variety of medical expenses, including:
- Doctor visits
- Transportation to and from doctors’ appointments
- Medication
- Surgery
- Medical equipment
- Rehabilitation
- Hospital stays
Average Settlement for Ankle Injuries
The amount compensable for ankle injuries will vary depending on the specific circumstances around the injury and the accident.
