South Jersey Workplace Neck Injury Attorney

Experienced South Jersey Workers’ Comp Lawyers Fight to Protect Their Clients After a Neck Injury

Our necks do a lot of work. It supports the weight of the head and contains the muscles, connective tissue, and nerves needed to allow us to move our heads. It also contains seven vertebrae, or neck bones, that enclose the spinal cord. 

The neck’s flexibility and lack of support make it more likely to be injured than other parts of the body. Neck injuries may involve bone, muscle, nerves, or other structures. Many neck injuries affect more than one part of the neck. 

If you’ve suffered a neck injury at work, you know how tough it can be to recover from these types of injuries. One way to make recovery easier is to work with an experienced South Jersey workers’ comp lawyer. Your lawyer can take on the work of getting you compensation, so you can focus on rest and healing. 

Types of Neck Injuries Suffered in New Jersey Workplaces

According to the New Jersey Department of Health, in 2019, New Jersey workplaces reported 69,000 on-the-job injuries. While this number represents a 20-year low, it demonstrates that workplace safety is still a significant concern. 

While non-fatal accidents have dropped in recent years, fatal on-the-job injuries have increased. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 116 fatal work injuries in New Jersey in 2022, up from 110 the year before.

Both fatal and non-fatal accidents can involve neck injuries. Common types of neck injuries suffered in South Jersey workplaces include:

• Neck sprain or strain. When muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the neck are stretched or torn, a sprain or strain results. A neck sprain suffered during a vehicle accident is often called “whiplash.” Any sudden movement of the neck, especially combined with an impact, can cause neck sprain or strain. 
• Herniated discs. Soft “discs” sit between the bones of the spine, cushioning these bones and adding protection for the spinal cord. When a disc becomes torn or bulges out from between the vertebrae, it’s called a “herniated” disc. A herniated disc can occur from a sudden injury like a fall. The disc can compress the spinal cord, causing pain or mobility issues. 
• Pinched nerves. The neck carries the spinal cord. It also contains several nerves that control movement and feeling in the face, neck, and upper body. When bone or other body parts push against surrounding nerves, severe pain, and motor problems can result. A pinched nerve may happen as part of a neck sprain or other injury. 
• Broken bones. A fracture anywhere in the cervical spine, also known as a “broken neck,” can cause permanent lifelong injuries if it is not immediately treated. 

Neck injuries can also be challenging to treat because they aren’t always obvious at the moment. You may feel fine when an accident happens, only to notice hours or days later that you have trouble turning your head, you’re experiencing neck or head pain, or you feel weakness, numbness, or tingling in your legs, arms, hands, or fingers. 

Workers’ Compensation After a Neck Injury

If you’re in an accident at work, tell your employer right away. Reporting the injury is the first step to opening a worker’s compensation claim. You can report to your supervisor, your personnel office, or anyone in authority at your workplace.

When you report your accident and injury, ask for a list of approved doctors. Under workers’ comp law, your employer or their workers’ compensation insurer can choose which doctors they’ll cover. See a doctor on the list as soon as possible. Keep all the paperwork related to your medical appointment. 

Your employer must report the accident and injury to the state once they hear about it from you. They’ll also contact their workers’ compensation insurer. The insurer will decide whether to approve or deny your claim. 

The Experienced South Jersey Workplace Injury Lawyers at Petrillo & Goldberg Can Help

Workers’ compensation covers medical bills, some lost wages, and disability benefits for employees who suffer neck injuries on the job. When an insurer or employer denies your claim or drags their feet, however, your case may become complicated – fast. That’s when you need an experienced attorney on your side. 

Your South Jersey workplace neck injury lawyer can: 

• Communicate and negotiate with the insurance company, so you can focus on healing.
• Gather evidence to tell your side of the story. 
• Fight for full and fair compensation after your neck injury. 
• Protect your legal rights and interests at every step of your case. 

To learn more, talk to the team at Petrillo & Goldberg today. Contact us to schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our dedicated South Jersey workers’ compensation lawyers.