Worker’s Compensation: 5 Post-Injury Costs That Can Quickly Add Up

Getting injured on the job comes with some major life changes. While you heal from your injury, you will go through a major loss of weekly income, but other new financial changes can come as well. The worker's compensation you receive should cover your typical income along with any other costs you must incur along the way.

Learn about the some of the costs you could expect as you heal. Some of the costs and change may only apply temporarily while others will last for longer periods of time. As you break down these costs, learn how a worker's comp attorney can help you get the financial help you deserve for such a painful injury.

The hospital costs you have to pay after an injury can quickly add up, but those are not the only medical bills you will face. As you heal through physical injuries, many doctors will likely recommend physical therapy. A physical therapy treatment could include weeks of stretching, equipment use, and guided help.

These costs may add up, but the treatments are essential to your healing journey. Due to the injury at work, you would expect your worker's compensation to cover the costs. A lawyer will likely collect any charges you have along with a recommended schedule from a physical therapist for any future treatment options.

Ensuring proper compensation for treatments will help with your own out-of-pocket expenses and help you heal the way your body should naturally heal.

Physical therapy isn't the only type of therapy you may need treatment for. As you heal from your injury, you may seek the help of a professional therapist. An injury can come with a lot of psychological factors. You may feel depressed with the lack of work or the sudden lifestyle changes, or anxious after the accident.

You may seek out therapy for the trauma you went through during the injury. A therapist can help you cope and come with different solutions to help you through the transition period. The therapy costs can exceed any health savings, and directly relate to your injury at work. A lawyer will seek compensation for these costs and help determine and ideal figure for your injuries.

As you plan a return to work either at the job you had or a whole new career, you may need some adaptive equipment to help you with your physical injuries and changes. For example, in an office job, you may need adaptive computer equipment like a special mouse or keyboard. Injuries to your legs, spine, or neck may lead to the need for a specialized chair or desk.

If you commute to work or drive as part of a job, then you may need to purchase equipment to help you get to work. Adaptive equipment could help you access pedals or to sit more comfortably in the vehicle. This equipment is not cheap and may change based on your healing process.

Along with changes in the way you work, you may need to purchase equipment for your home. Limitations in movement could lead to the need for adaptive equipment in the bathroom like a shower seat. You may need to purchase adjustable equipment for your bedroom like a mattress that automatically moves up and down.

You may need special chairs or seats that help you sit comfortably and with the least amount of pain. These home equipment costs can tax any health savings, especially if you need items in every room. You may also incur charges from a contractor who installs new items like handrails.

Keep track of these extra charges along with planned purchases and official cost estimates. A lawyer can use all of these examples as they build your case.