Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy in the Auto Industry

Chicago Lawyers for Workers’ Compensation Claims

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome is a disorder that triggers enduring pain. It may develop after an injury to the arms or legs. However, sometimes the pain of the reflex sympathetic dystrophy is worse than the original injury. Those who develop reflex sympathetic dystrophy as a result of a workplace injury may find it difficult to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. If you suffered reflex sympathetic dystrophy while working in the auto industry, you can consult the knowledgeable Chicago workers’ compensation attorneys of Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca. We may be able to help.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy in the Auto Industry

Auto workers can sustain a wide range of injuries on the job, including sprains, fractures, and nerve damage. Workers may be injured due to a fall, or a collision on the factory floor. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy can develop in response to those workplace injuries and cause severe pain over time, making it impossible for the worker to keep working at their job. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy may develop as the result of a specific instance of major nerve damage, but it can also develop where it isn’t possible to pinpoint an underlying nerve injury.

If it’s diagnosed early enough, reflex sympathetic dystrophy can be treated. If it’s not caught, it can result in immobility. Some workers become dependent on pain medication due to this condition.

You can make a claim for workers’ compensation if you develop reflex sympathetic dystrophy due to an on-the-job injury. It’s important to stay on top of the documentation of your condition and any related medical tests. This is because it can be a little trickier to establish this condition’s relationship to a job than it is to establish workers’ compensation claims involving broken bones or amputations that occur during a witnessed workplace accident.

The Workers’ Compensation System

Illinois workers’ compensation is a no-fault system in which employers pay to obtain coverage from insurers or seek approval to be self-insured. Coverage is supposed to pay for the medical and disability costs of job-related injuries and illnesses. Almost every employee in the state is covered by workers’ compensation. There’s no waiting period; coverage starts the moment you start a job. For example, if you suffered a severe sprain your first day on the job in an auto manufacturing plant, and this developed into reflex sympathetic dystrophy, you would be eligible to obtain workers’ compensation benefits.

Notice

If you’re hurt at work, you should give your employer written notice of your injury right away, but certainly within 45 days. If you delay giving notice, it’s likely that the employer or their insurer will be suspicious that your reflex sympathetic dystrophy is not work-related. You should also be careful and accurate when filling out any accident report paperwork for your employer. A skilled workers’ compensation lawyer can assist you with any written notices or paperwork you need to submit.

Surveillance

It is not uncommon for insurers to conduct surveillance on claimants either in person or online through social media. You should be aware that this is a possibility and conduct yourself carefully. It is wise to lock down your social media accounts and not accept friend requests from people you don’t know or trust. Things you post that suggest your pain is not as bad as you allege in your workers’ compensation claim could be scrutinized and used to deny your claim.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Benefits to which you may be entitled when suffering from work-related reflex sympathetic dystrophy include medical coverage, temporary disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and permanent partial or permanent total disability benefits. The extent and severity of the reflex sympathetic dystrophy, along with your average weekly wage as an auto worker, will determine the amount of benefits you may receive.

Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Serving Chicago

If you have suffered from reflex sympathetic dystrophy due to an auto industry work injury in Chicago, you can talk to the seasoned workers’ compensation lawyers of Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca about your situation. We can represent auto workers in Champaign, Quincy, Rockford, and Aurora, as well as Cook, Kane, Adams, Winnebago, and Sangamon Counties. Contact us at 312-724-5846 or via our online form.