If you sustain a thumb injury in a work-related accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation with the help of a thumb injury workers’ comp attorney. Employees who are injured on the job, whether in the workplace or offsite, particularly those requiring surgery for a full recovery, will suffer from lost wages resulting from time taken off from work to recover, along with other types of losses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Work-Related Thumb Injuries
Some of the most common questions our lawyers hear from workers who have sustained work-related thumb injuries include:
- How much compensation can I get for a thumb injury?
- How long does it take to recover compensation for a thumb injury?
- What is required to file a claim for a work-related thumb injury?
Common Types of Work-Related Thumb Injuries
Thumb injuries are among the most common types of injuries that workers can sustain on the job. They can result from immediate accidents or develop over time due to repeated stress when performing certain tasks such as heavy lifting. The thumb contains various muscles and joints that are vulnerable to injuries in many cases, particularly when overused.
Some common types of thumb injuries include:
- Sprains
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Trigger thumb injuries from repetitive gripping motions
- Base of thumb injuries (de Quervain’s Syndrome)
- Thumb ligament injuries
- Catchers’ thumb injuries from hyperextension
- Volar plate injuries in thumb joints
- Thumb fractures
How Workplace Thumb Injuries Happen
There are many potential causes of thumb injuries in the workplace. Some injuries can result from sudden trauma in an accident due to impact with malfunctioning equipment or employee/employer negligence, while other types of thumb injuries can develop over a period of weeks, months, or even years due to repeated movement and stress. Delayed symptoms may not be noticeable until long after an accident has taken place in some cases. Traffic accidents can also cause thumb injuries when employees are driving to perform a task such as delivering items.
Regardless of the extent of your thumb injury, you may be eligible for compensation through a workers’ comp claim.
Treatment for Work-Related Thumb Injuries
Many victims of thumb injuries will require a certain amount of rest to complete treatment, but other injuries may require extensive treatment. Many injuries will be treatable using medications and cortisone, but other more severe thumb injuries may require additional support using devices or even surgery.
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim for Thumb Injuries
Workers are often concerned about filing workers’ compensation claims due to a lack of information regarding the process, but a reliable attorney can help individuals navigate the process from the initial consultation to the final settlement. Illinois enables individuals to file claims with either the state or their employers.
Keep in mind that when seeking compensation from an employer, you will need to provide a detailed written description of the incident within 45 days of the date of the injury, which is extendable if the symptoms don’t become apparent until long after the accident. The employer can then decide to either accept or deny the claim, but regardless of the decision, employers will also need to provide a written description that details the decision. If the employer accepts the claim, they will need to provide access to both health care and benefits. If the employer denies the claim, you can choose to file an appeal with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC), which will investigate the claim along with the employer’s decision.
You also have the option of filing a claim directly with the IWCC to help speed up the process, which could be more ideal if you feel that an employee is likely to reject the claim. You will need to provide a written description of the incident and subsequent thumb injury in any case.
Reliable and Experienced Thumb Injury Workers’ Comp Attorneys
Regardless of the specifics regarding your thumb injury, you probably have certain questions regarding:
- When you can return to work
- How you’ll be able to support your family while out of work
- How much compensation you’re eligible to receive with the help of a workers’ comp claim
- When you’ll be able to make payments for medical bills
When you work with the experienced legal team at Vasilatos Injury Law, you will be able to get the representation you need for a successful workers’ comp claim. We can also represent you in court, if needed. Our lawyers understand the importance of helping our clients restore their lives to the way they were before sustaining the injury, and will work to achieve a favorable outcome.
Our attorneys will work to determine how your injury has impacted your wellbeing from health and employment to overall finances, and will help seek the benefits you deserve. We’ll help you reach a fair settlement that helps cover all medical costs and lost wages resulting from time taken off from work for recovery.
Our legal team has provided representation for many clients who have sustained thumb injuries and many other types of work-related injuries resulting from accidents or violence. We understand how detrimental these injuries can be to a worker’s life and wellbeing, which is why we work hard to recover the compensation that our clients deserve.
Benefits of Workers’ Compensation for Thumb Injuries
If you sustain a thumb injury or another type of injury on the job, you may be able to receive benefits to help you get the treatment needed for a total recovery. Workers’ comp can help pay for several types of expenses, including:
- Doctor visits
- Surgery
- Medication
- Rehabilitation
- Hospital stays
- Transportation to and from doctors’ appointments
- Medical equipment
Average Thumb Injury Settlement
Compensation for thumb injuries will vary depending on the case and the overall severity of the injury. Here are some of our client success stories.
Get Dependable Representation for Thumb Injury Workers’ Compensation
Here at Vasilatos Injury Law, we understand the importance of ensuring you get the compensation you deserve for a thumb injury or another work-related injury. We can provide a free consultation to assess your case and legal situation. At our locations in Chicago, Flossmoor, and Evanston, our caring staff can help ensure you benefit from unrivaled professionalism and comprehensiveness. If you have sustained a thumb injury in the workplace, contact Vasilatos Injury Law and we’ll determine what benefits you are qualified to receive. Contact us today by calling us toll-free at (877) INJ-LAW1 and we’ll assess your case today.
