Imagine that you were involved in a workplace accident that left you with a back injury. You follow all of the steps required, see a doctor, and eventually get better. You are signed off as having reached your maximum medical improvement, and go on about your life. Months later, the pain comes back without warning or additional injury, and your personal doctor finds there were issues not addressed, and you must stop working.
Are you entitled to benefits for the injury, if you already agreed to be discharged as healed?
According to a recent case that went through the courts in Colorado, the answer may surprise you.
Elaine Loofbourrow worked as a manager in a fast food restaurant. While covering someone else’s shift, she injured her back. After a month of care, she was discharged and feeling great. Three months later the pain comes back, and her physician finds that she has a bulging and torn disc. The pain increases to the point her doctor said she can no longer work, and her employer’s insurance denied her claim.
Under previous guidelines and rulings, Ms. Loofbourrow would have been left in a bad spot, with no income or workers compensation benefits. But when she pressed the issue, the courts sided with her. The determination was that an injured worker that has reached maximum medical improvement may still have later issues related to the workplace injury. After a long court battle, she was able to receive the benefits that she deserved.
If you or someone you care about are in a similar situation, and having ongoing difficulties from a workplace injury that had reached maximum medical improvement, don’t give up hope. With the help of a qualified Colorado workers compensation attorney, you may still receive the benefits you need and deserve.
Related posts:
- Colorado Workers Compensation Attorney: How to Cope with Permanent Injuries
- Receiving Full Benefits with the Help of a Colorado Workers’ Compensation Attorney
- What Types of Injuries Can I Claim Colorado Workers’ Compensation Benefits For
- Colorado Worker’s Compensation Attorney: Protecting Your Right to Benefits
- Getting the Benefits that your Deserve with the Help of a Colorado Workers’ Compensation Attorney
