Amputation Injuries at Work
During a legal seminar I attended a couple years ago, an Indiana Occupational Safety and Hazards Agency (“IOSHA”) representative presented information covering work place injuries. The representative explained that since March 2015, new reporting and investigation regulations require IOSHA to investigate amputation injuries across the state. The presenter was clearly surprised how many work place amputations occur every day. This safety initiative is designed to investigate problems, enforce safety codes and prevent ongoing hazards for Indiana workers.
Amputations and Worker’s Compensation
The Goodin Abernathy LLP lawyers are not surprised by these findings because we frequently help clients who have suffered amputated fingers, hands and arms. Many of our clients need help understanding what Indiana worker’s compensation benefits are available for their damages. These benefits include lost wages from time off work (TTD or PTD), payment of medical bills, physical therapy and psychological counseling, or payments for their impairment due to permanent physical disfigurement (PPI).
The Indiana Worker’s Compensation Board uses a table to calculate the money owed for amputation PPI ratings. https://www.in.gov/wcb/index.htm What injured workers need to know is that employers and their insurance companies are obligated to address impairment ratings – but many times the workers are not told of these benefits. Also, the calculations and settlement offers insurance companies make do not always match the reasonable or fair value of a PPI rating: especially in amputation cases.
GA’s Indianapolis attorneys understand the medical and therapy plans needed to fully address amputation recoveries. We are also experienced in evaluating the correct PPI calculations for claiming impairment benefits with all types of amputations. Indiana has recognized the pervasive problems of amputation injuries. This article describes the problems and also discusses a case where a worker suffered two amputations, two different times on the same machine! (click here)
If you need help understanding which benefits are available for your recovery from an amputation, call us. If you need help calculating the extent of your amputation injury and the its recognized impairment value, contact us and put our experience to work. Goodin Abernathy LLP will uses its experience, resources (including expert medical review) and legal background to represent you. Don’t get cut short twice with your amputation – call us for legal help.