The long-term effects of a work injury can be costly and may even last a lifetime. It is important to factor these changes into your workers’ compensation claim.
After a workplace injury, you may find that you can no longer do the things you love or have to make big changes in how you live your life. It is important to factor in these long-term effects of your work injury when filing your workers’ compensation claim and avoid settling for less than you are entitled to.
Here are some lifestyle changes to consider when putting together your workers’ compensation claim:
Lost Wages and Vocational Training
If your injuries are severe, you may not be able to return to your previous job or even do the same type of work. In this case, when filing your claim, you will need to factor in any lost wages and the cost of job retraining.
Quality of Life
If your injuries are severe, you may not be able to participate in the hobbies and activities that you love. As a result, you may need to find new hobbies that you can do with your injuries. If this is the case, it should be factored into your claim.
Home Renovation
You may need to make changes to your home to accommodate your injuries. For example, you may need to install ramps, handrails, or other accessibility features. You may even need to move to a new home that is more accessible. Since this is an unforeseen cost that wouldn’t have arisen had you not been injured at work, it should generally be factored into your workers’ compensation claim.
Dietary Changes
You may need to follow a special diet to accommodate your injuries. You may even need to purchase special equipment to prepare your food. Make sure you factor the cost of any changes to your diet into your workers’ compensation claim.
Wardrobe Changes
You may need to purchase special or adaptive clothing to accommodate your injuries. You should factor in the cost of any changes to your wardrobe into your workers’ compensation claim.
Transportation and Mobility
If your injuries are severe, you may need to change how you get around. For example, you may need to purchase a wheelchair, scooter, or another mobility device. You may even need to purchase a new car that is wheelchair accessible. When filing your workers’ comp claim, make sure you factor in the cost of any changes to your transportation and mobility.
Speak With an Experienced St. Louis Workers Compensation Attorney
As you can see, sustaining a work-related injury can greatly impact your lifestyle. These changes can be costly and may even last a lifetime. Therefore, it is important to factor these changes into your workers’ compensation claim to get the most out of your benefits.
Speak with an experienced St. Louis workers’ compensation attorney 24/7 to ensure you don’t miss out on the full benefits you deserve after a work-related injury. At the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann, we have over 30 years of experience helping injured workers get their deserved benefits and can help you too. Call us today for a free consultation.