Back and neck injuries can be very painful and disrupt daily life – causing pain for weeks, months, and even years. Often resulting from accidents and debilitating work conditions, spinal injuries are the most common workers’ compensation claims. In 2021, nearly 300,000 Americans reported injuries to their spine. While vehicle accidents are the leading cause of neck and back injuries, occupational slips, falls, and lifting injuries are not far behind. These injuries are so common that Georgia law requires employers have an orthopedic specialist generally available to see anyone injured on the job. Even if the available doctors are not spine specialists, they should be able to refer you to someone who can appropriately care for your neck and back injuries.
Do not ignore back & neck pain
Does this sound like you? You have been experiencing back or neck pain at work but have attempted to “walk it off” and hope it will go away. We hear this all the time from clients because they are afraid to cause concern at their job. Unfortunately, over-the-counter medication does not ease their pain, and in many cases, the pain becomes unbearable and requires immediate attention.
We know back and neck pain can be debilitating, so we take spinal injuries very seriously. The spinal column houses the central nervous system – and acts as your protection. A disc herniation, bulge, protrusion, or tear in the low back or neck can manifest pain in many ways, including (but not limited to) pain in your arms and legs.
Get the Right TESTS & Care
Unfortunately, we have experienced cases where insurance carriers will try to deny needed diagnostic films, scans, and tests because they: (1) want to avoid incurring the expense of the diagnostic procedure and (2) discover that the employee has objective pathology. With years of experience and the utmost respect for your rights, our team will fight to ensure you get the right diagnostic tests you need for proper care. Appropriate diagnostic procedures will show if you have a structural problem with your spine so doctors can chart out a medical care plan that will give you the best chances of recovery. We understand that immediate orthopedic, or even neurological intervention, is crucial in recovery. We aim to ensure you have the best orthopedic treatment available, including thoughtful physical and occupational therapy.
Find Trusted, reputable doctors
If you are injured at work, you should know the reputation and track record of any authorized treating physician referred to you. Before you commit to treatment from a specific doctor, ensure you thoroughly understand their practice. Our genuine working relationships with several reputable orthopedic and neurological specialists provide proven, top-notch care to our clients. In addition, we will ensure you steer clear of insurance doctors who do not have your best interests at heart. Our goal is to give you the best all-around care, including the doctors that diagnose and treat you through the process.
Trust in workers’ compensation experts.
Call Ramos & Law for a free consultation to discuss your spinal injury and care.
Client-Focused Representation
Unlike many workers' compensation law firms, our Firm’s focus is on the injured worker’s current well-being, best possible recovery, and life after the claim. If Ramos & Law accepts your case, we will put your interests before ours. As a client, you will have a dedicated legal team working to provide you with the best possible options for you and your family. You will not be “just another client." We will understand your medical care plan and create options for having the best quality of life during and after the claim.
Driven By Honesty
At Ramos & Law, we pride ourselves on making a genuine connection with our clients. We will not promise you miracles or provide you with a “sales pitch.” We believe that if you have been injured at work, the last thing you need is someone who will be dishonest with you. If we accept your case, that means we believe in you, and we believe we can help you maximize your claim. It means we will care about you and your family, and we will stand up in court for you. If we do not recover for you, we do not get paid.
Client Reviews & Testimonials
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
These case studies are not meant to promise or guarantee a certain or similar result, but rather to demonstrate the legal attention and work ethic our attorneys assert in our cases. Every case is different and is fact sensitive. Certain facts can greatly influence and determine a client’s award, outcome, and recovery. Injuries to the back and neck are common, but trauma to the head may require assistance from a head and brain injuries attorney for specialized claims.
Back Strain
An employee worked for a manufacturer of outdoor power products in Middle Georgia. His job required him to pull pallets of material across the work area. As a result, he experienced a back strain. The manufacturer denied the claim and contested his need for medical care. Ramos & Law was able to secure helpful diagnostic scans and meaningful medical care for the injured worker. After a few months of litigation, the parties reached a settlement of $65,000 with a complete resolution of all outstanding medical bills.
Foot Injury
An employee was stocking heavy merchandise for a large retailer in Columbus, Georgia. During the course of her job duties, a stocking cart of the merchandise fell on her right foot and great toe. The national retailer directed her to its company doctors but she received very little relief. The attorneys at Ramos & Law were able to navigate her medical care to more qualified doctors where she received a better overall results. As she reached maximum medical improvement, the large retailer settled the claim for over $100,000 and paid for all of her past medical treatment.
Failed Back Syndrome
An employee was working part-time for a large automotive parts store. The employee fell off a ladder injuring his teeth, neck, ribs, and low back. After exhausting conservative medical care, physical therapy, injection regimens, and medication, it became clear that this injured employee required the need for spinal surgery. While the insurance company fought the surgery, Ramos & Law was able to force the insurance company into paying for the surgery and associated therapies including the implant of a spinal cord stimulator. Given the severity of the injury, Ramos & Law was able to refer the client to a federal disability benefit specialist who assisted him in securing Social Security. This part-time employee settled his case for $185,000 plus almost $300,000 in future medical care.
Low Back Herniations
A pediatric physician injured his back while assisting a child off an examining room table. As a result, the physician herniated several discs in his spine which also triggered depressive mental episodes. While the insurance company denied medical coverage for his numerous symptoms, Ramos & Law was able to secure quality medical care for the employee including orthopedic care, psychiatric treatment, a spinal cord stimulator, and physical therapy. Additionally, the employee received on-going income benefits at the maximum workers' compensation rate. At the end of the case, the matter settled for a figure close to $250,000 in addition to payment of previous medical bills.
Shoulder Injury
An employee at a beverage maker in Atlanta was stocking heavy cases of merchandise when she felt severe neck and shoulder pain. It was revealed that she suffered a torn rotator cuff. While the beverage maker initially denied her medical care, Ramos & Law was able to convince the employer to approve her treatment plan and accept the case. After months attempting to return to work, it was clear that the employer was not able to accommodate her medical limitations. As a result, the case settled for $115,000, along with all her medical bills being paid.
Severe Burn
A part-time grocery employee fell into a tub of “degreaser” that caused severe third degree burns over his torso and buttocks region. The employee required immediate medical care and several weeks in the intensive care unit within the local burn center. The costs of the care reached in the millions of dollars. While the grocery store denied liability for the accident, the attorneys at Ramos & Law were able to secure a settlement of $250,000 in addition to the employer’s acknowledgment to pay for all past medical bills.