If you have been involved in a workplace accident that resulted in ulnar nerve damage, you will need to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Ulnar nerve entrapment leads to various symptoms, such as numbness and tingling of the ring finger and pinky. These symptoms might come and go, but they are worse or more frequent when the elbow is bent, such as when you are driving, talking on the phone, or reaching up. Ulnar nerve damage is sometimes referred to as cubital tunnel syndrome. There are several ways you can end up with ulnar nerve damage. What Causes Ulnar Nerve Damage? There are several different causes of ulnar nerve damage. Here are a few of the underlying reasons for this condition: Nerve pressure because of swelling Excess pressure on the ulnar nerve Fractured or dislocated elbow Illness that has led to nerve damage A direct injury to the ulnar nerve When you damage the ulnar nerve, messages coming from your brain are not properly transmitted to the targeted areas in your arm and hand, and your hand cannot receive the messages from the brain. Ulnar nerve damage can result from a car accident, slip and fall, fall from heights, or an accident involving machinery or equipment. The Cost of Ulnar Nerve Damage If a workplace injury has left you with ulnar nerve damage, the recovery process can be expensive and difficult. Ulnar nerve damage can be debilitating and lead to a variety of symptoms that require intensive medical care. While the symptoms may come and go, sometimes there is intensive pain and numbness and tingling that can make even daily tasks difficult or impossible. Reaching, talking on the phone, or driving a vehicle can become daunting tasks if you have ulnar nerve damage. Ulnar nerve injuries cause both motor deficits and sensory issues with the hand. If cubital tunnel release surgery is performed, the recovery process can vary from several weeks to several months. It can take as long as six months for the tingling, numbness, and burning sensations to completely go away. Cubital tunnel release is a surgical procedure that involves making an incision just above the elbow. An ulnar nerve transposition can vary from $2,590 to $3,955. In addition to the surgery, there will be medical consultations, follow-up care, prescriptions, and medical devices. The cost of treating an ulnar nerve injury could vary in price anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 or even more. It can also lead to months off work, which add to the total loss. As an example, if your salary is $50,000 per year and you must take 6 months off work, that is $25,000. Workers’ compensation pays about 67% of those lost wages, the lost wages total would be $16,750. How to Calculate Your Ulnar Nerve Damage Claim Value No two workers’ compensation claims are the same. Even two employees suffering from ulnar nerve damage could have very different claims that result in very different settlements. One worker’s injuries could be more serious than the other worker’s and one worker might recover more quickly and more fully than the other worker. All those things come into consideration when the claim value is being determined. One aspect of a workers’ compensation claim is the medical costs. When you are calculating the totals, be sure to include all your medical expenses. Your workers’ compensation attorney will help you with this. Your medical expenses will include, but aren’t limited to: Hospitalization Surgical procedures Doctor’s visits Physical therapy Prescriptions Specialist care Medical devices Future expenses – determine if you may require additional surgery or therapy in the future Lost wages from missed work Any future missed work and lost wages Future loss of earnings caused by the injuries, such as having to take a lower paying job or change careers What Kind of Benefits are Offered Through Workers’ Compensation? Workers’ compensation offers medical benefits, which cover the costs of your medical care while you are being treated for the injury. In addition, you will receive a portion of your regular salary while you are unable to work. Usually, this is about two-thirds of your pay. Depending on the laws in your state, additional benefits may be offered. Sometimes, a physician will assign a disability rating, which will be used for assessment of a lump sum settlement. As an example, a rating of 10% is not worth as much as a rating of 70% for the same kind of injury. The values of such claims can vary significantly, so they are reviewed on a case by case basis. The more severe your ulnar nerve damage is, the higher your cubital tunnel workers' compensation settlement will be. For instance, if your ulnar nerve damage is to the extent where you can only do half the job at your normal rate, you could qualify for partial disability. On the other side, if your ulnar nerve damage is so severe that you are unable to work ever again, you will qualify for permanent disability. It is recommended that the more medical documentation you have to prove your ulnar nerve damage, the better chances you are of getting approved for workers' compensation benefits. Being Approved for Benefits Sometimes workers’ compensation claims are denied, or benefits are just stopped. In these situations, you will need a workers’ compensation attorney to file an appeal or to work aggressively to get your benefits reinstated. The claims process is complicated and requires the completion of detailed reports, and documents need to be filed by specific deadlines. The Average Ulnar Nerve Settlement As mentioned before, no two claims are the same. Two people could have the same injury, but their settlement values could be very different. Here are a few things that will affect the value of your workers’ compensation claim for an ulnar nerve injury: Your salary before you were hurt The severity of your injuries The total costs of your medical care The amount of time off work If you will have to change job roles A basic injury involving the ulnar nerve could lead to $3,500 in medical bills and a month off work. If your salary is $4,000 a month, workers’ comp would pay you $2,680. So, in that scenario, the medical bills and lost wages total $6,180. If your injuries are going to completely heal and have no lasting effects, then a fair settlement would be $6,180. If you suffered major ulnar nerve damage that required surgery, physical therapy, and extensive follow-up care that made your medical costs exceed $15,000, and you may require an additional surgery with follow-up care in the future estimated to be about $8,000, making your medical expenses hit around the $23,000 mark. This injury could require you to be off work at least a year, and if your salary was $50,000, workers’ comp would pay $33,500. The total value of your settlement has now reached $46,500. If you are unable to return to the same job and must go to vocational training and take a lower paying position, you can also recover compensation for the loss in pay. Workers’ compensation usually covers the cost of any vocational retraining as well, depending on the laws in your state. Because of the complexity of such cases and the requirements for pursuing a claim against your employer, you should enlist the help of a workers’ compensation attorney who is licensed in your state. Your attorney will review the details of your claim and determine the value of your workers’ comp settlement for ulnar nerve damage. With the help of a workers’ compensation attorney, you are much more likely to get a fair settlement and be awarded benefits for your workplace injury. Your lawyer will gather up supporting documentation and evidence to show the extent of your injuries, how it happened, and how it is tied to the workplace. Tips For Settling Your Workers’ Compensation Claim For Ulnar Nerve Damage Workers’ compensation claims may settle quickly, or in some cases, they may take time. There are several things that come into play with determining the speed of a settlement. First, the severity of your injuries and when your claim has reached a point that settling makes sense, the overall value of your claim, and where you work. After your workplace injury lawyer helps you reach a settlement with the workers’ compensation insurer, receiving your settlement can take a little bit longer. After a settlement is agreed, it may take a couple of weeks to get the documents to all parties for them to sign. After everything has been signed, a judge will have to approve it. Depending on the judge’s caseload and location, it could take two weeks or longer for a judge to review the settlement and determine if it is in the best interests of the parties and then approve it. After a judge approves the settlement, the insurance company usually has anywhere from two weeks to 30 days to issue the settlement check. At that time, the lawyer will cash it, pay any outstanding medical bills, deduct any fees, and then give you the remainder. Consult With A Workers’ Compensation Attorney If you have been injured in a workplace accident that resulted in damage to your ulnar nerve, you need to consult with a workers’ compensation attorney right away. Time is of the essence, as you must report the accident in a timely manner and properly file all documents. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form today, so you can get your case reviewed by an attorney who understands workplace accidents and injuries. Get your case reviewed at no charge today, so you can get your claim on the right track!
