How Long Does Workers Compensation for an Ankle Injury Last? Key Facts You Should Know – Guest Post

Worker’s compensation cushions an occurrence if it happens at work. These benefits, depending on some varied laws with varying injury extents and cases concerning recovery rates of ankle injuries in the different states, sometimes continue much longer than expected. Knowing how long workers’ compensation will most likely last after injury to the ankle may bring the injured worker some insight into how he will go about financial planning, thus setting his mind at ease as he waits for recovery.

This article considers some of the determinants of workers’ compensation benefits duration, key steps on how to maximize your benefits, and what to expect during your road to recovery.  

Common Types of Ankle Injuries Covered under Workers’ Compensation

Ankle injuries are relatively common at work. Some of the common types of injury include:

• Sprains and Strains: Overstretching and tearing of ligaments and tendons, mostly occurring due to slips, falls, or sudden twisting motions. 
• Fractures: Serious incidents showing the breaking of bones; most of them happen in events where heavy objects fall right on the ankle or mishaps associated with machinery. 
• Torn Tendon/Ligaments: Most cases need surgical intervention, mainly in those kinds of injuries classified as high-stress injuries.
• Dislocations: These are the end result of bones in the ankle joint being out of place. 

These, in general, would fall under worker’s compensation as long as they occurred within the course and scope of employment. 

Factors Affecting Workers’ Compensation Duration

How long one will be entitled to compensation depends on various factors such as:

Extensiveness of Injury

• Minor: If the sprain or strain was minor in your case, then it takes weeks; hence, your benefit would too be relatively small, and thus, under any wage-loss period, your case would already fall under recuperation.
• Major Injuries: It takes several months, sometimes even years, to get them in action after sustaining injury. Of course, this has been the case when there was a fracture, the tear of ligament, one went in operation theater or physiotherapy treatment was involved.

Time to heal

Workers’ compensation benefits are provided up to a point when a physician believes you have reached a point of maximum medical improvement (MMI) at which your symptoms or injury are unlikely to improve with further medical treatment.  

Job Requirements

If your job is heavy lifting or requires one to stand for hours, you might want to take ample time so that you heal properly for that job.

State Laws and Guidelines

Not all states have uniform legislation for workers’ compensation; others even allow only a certain extent on especially grievous injuries to have benefits awarded continuously.

Permanent Disabilities

If your ankle injury is found to lead to permanent disability, long-term benefits for the lifetime could be accorded once the percentage was established from examination.

How to Maximize Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Report the Injury Immediately

Report the injury in writing to your employer immediately it happens. It can be denied if you fail to do so.

Do What the Doctor Says

Following a course of treatment helps you recover from your injury as quickly as possible. It will also help you avoid problems with your employer or with the insurance carrier.

Keep Detailed Records

Document doctor visits, treatments, and all the resulting costs. The more information in your records, the stronger your case will be in case it is disputed for any reason.

Avail the Services of an Experienced Attorney

In case of disputes over the duration or extent of your benefits, a workers compensation for ankle injury attorney will represent your interests.  

What to Expect in the Workers’ Compensation Process

Initial Assessment

Medical checkup to assess the extent of the ankle injury after your claim has been submitted, follows your case. This report will determine the benefit amount. 

Temporary Disability Payments

Most employees are entitled to temporary disability benefits if the injury keeps them from returning to work. These benefits are usually paid as a percentage of your average weekly wage. 

Vocational Rehabilitation

If the ankle injury in question makes it impossible to continue with the same job you were performing before, several states will also offer a number of vocational rehabilitation programs in which you will be placed into another position.

Permanent Disability Evaluation

If, due to an ankle injury, you end up permanently partially disabled, then a permanent disability rating given to you by your doctor may give you a hint on how far you will be entitled to permanent disability benefits.  

Common Barriers and How to Rise Above Them

Contested Injuries  

The employer may question the cause or the extent of the injury; on this, Organize all your medical evidence, statements by eyewitnesses, etc. Engage an attorney for better bargaining powers.

Pressure to Return to Work Early

Some employers are in such a place where they could pressure you to return to work a little too early. You protect yourself with the physician’s return-to-work release note.  

Poor Compensatory Benefit Entitlements

Poor compensatory benefits with which to support yourself, find a good attorney and into court you appeal or settle the benefits on the bargaining table for a better percentage of compensation.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Would I Be Able to Get Workers’ Compensation for a Pre-existing Ankle Condition?

Yes, provided that your work activities contributed to increasing your condition or worsening it; in this case, you might be covered by the benefit.

How Long does a Temporary Disability Last?

Most states continue it up to a time when an employee actually reaches the level of Maximum Medical Improvement or actually can return to work-again at the discretion of statute by state.

What if I am Not Able to Go Back to Work at All?

You can receive permanent disability benefit rates or one lump-sum payment of money which settles your loss in regard to earning capacity.

Conclusion

How long workers’ compensation would be allowed for an ankle injury is a matter of your injury and your recovery, along with any applicable state laws. In slight injury cases, workers may have to be assisted for a limited time, while serious injury cases deserve benefit extension many months or years. Reporting the injury immediately it happens and following the medical advice to the T goes a long way in availing benefits that will address your needs; sometimes having an attorney proves a necessity.

Knowing what determines your benefits will give you added confidence to go through workers’ compensation as you focus on recovery.