Will Workers’ Compensation Pay for Surgery?
If an injury you received at work requires surgery, you are likely entitled to compensation. Don’t hesitate to get the medical care you need to address your workplace injury. And be sure to report your injury to your employer right away and reach out to a workers’ compensation attorney to help you file a claim.
When you are injured at work, you are entitled to all reasonable, related and necessary medical treatment to treat that injury. This can include conservative treatment like physical therapy and medication as well as the cost of surgery and post-operative care. For injury claims requiring surgery, there are two benefits that should be paid immediately by the insurance company:
Weekly benefits while you are off work. This is called Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits
Payment of all your surgery bills associated with the treatment for the work injury
There may be additional benefits owed to you as well. If you need surgery to treat an on-the-job injury, the amount of compensation you can receive depends on several factors, including your wage/salary, how good or bad your recovery is, what type of injury you have and if you are likely to suffer continued medical complications as a result of your injury. An attorney can help ensure you are awarded not just the money you are owed for surgery, but the compensation you deserve long-term.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
The cost of the surgery is not confined to the procedure itself. Additional expenses are covered under workers’ compensation, such as:
Price of anesthesia and pain relievers needed because of the surgery
Follow-up appointments post-operation
Physical therapy required to recover
Expenses due to complications or setbacks caused by the procedure
Will My Settlement Amount Increase if Surgery is Needed?
The short answer is it depends. The value of your workers’ compensation case depends in part on how good or bad of a recovery you make from the injury. Surgery costs will fall under the medical benefits that you are entitled to receive under Illinois’ workers’ compensation law. If there are any complications from the surgery that may increase the settlement amount, or if you do not make a full recovery or are unable to return to your regular job, that may increase the compensation you are entitled to.
It is important to talk to an attorney throughout your treatment and recovery process to discuss how it impacts the value of your case and what your options are. Once you settle the case, the insurance company is likely not liable for any additional benefits or treatment, so you’ll want to make sure you are done with treatment or know your options before you settle.
Compensation Beyond Medical Benefits
When injured on the job, including injuries that require surgery, you may be entitled to compensation beyond medical benefits—especially if your injury doesn’t allow you to return to work.
Depending on your circumstances, your attorney may be able to help you receive:
Temporary total disability benefits (TTD)
Temporary partial disability benefits (TPD)
Permanent partial disability benefits (PPD)
Rehabilitation and retraining benefits
Workers’ compensation is a complex system; you don’t have to navigate it on your own. As Rockford, Illinois’ top workers’ compensation law firm, Black & Jones helps people throughout Northern Illinois understand their rights and file claims.
Talk to the experienced team at Black & Jones to get the benefits you deserve. We offer a free initial consultation to determine whether your case is compensable—don’t let an incident being your fault stop you! Contact us today for your free consultation.