When an employee at a local bank in Framingham, Massachusetts sustained a serious head injury after falling at work, she contacted Attorney Charles S. Pappas to represent her. The workers’ compensation insurance company was cooperative in agreeing to make payments of workers’ compensation disability benefits throughout this injured worker’s treatment. But, they did attempt to discontinue their payments of benefits. Before that could happen, Attorney Pappas was successful in securing an $80,000 lump sum settlement for his client.
Summary of the Accident and Injuries
In February, this worker had an unfortunate accident on the job. She was performing her usual duties at work as a bank teller and fell backwards striking her head on the hard surface floor. She felt immediate and immense pain in the back of her head and was very dizzy and unsteady on her feet. Her co-workers called an ambulance and the employee was taken to the hospital. At the emergency room, this worker was treated and diagnosed with a large hematoma to the back of her head, a cervical strain and a severe concussion.
As a result of her accident and injuries, she remained out of work for the next couple of months. She continued to experience difficulty from her head injury and developed post-concussion syndrome. Post-concussion syndrome (or post-concussive syndrome) is where an accident victim’s concussion symptoms continue or last for weeks, months, or in some situations for a year or more after the injury. Symptoms of post-concussion syndrome include concentration problems, irritability, sensitivity to light, sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression. These symptoms can be extremely debilitating and frequently interfere with normal daily activities and the ability to work. These are some of the symptoms this injures worker suffered.
While this injured worker attempted to return to work for a couple of months, her symptoms continued and grew worse. Therefore, she was advised to remain out of work by her doctor. After being out of work for an extended period of time, her employer terminated her employment.
The Workers’ Compensation Claim
The workers’ compensation insurance company voluntarily paid this injured worker temporary total disability benefits following her accident and injury. When the injured worker attempted to return to work part-time, Attorney Pappas was instrumental in negotiating with the workers’ compensation insurer and was able to convince the insurance company to pay her temporary partial disability benefits. After being advised to stay out of work by her doctors, Attorney Pappas thoroughly and effectively negotiated with the workers’ compensation insurance carrier to resume their payments of temporary total disability benefits to the injured worker.
The insurance company, however, arranged for the injured worker to attend an independent medical exam (IME) by a doctor that the insurance company hired. It’s no surprise that the insurance company’s doctor had the opinion that the injured worker did sustain a concussion and some post-concussion symptoms, but that she could return to work with no restrictions. In other words, he thought the injured worker was fine and could go back to work. This was completely contradictory to the injured worker’s treating doctors.
Based upon the results of the IME, the workers’ compensation insurer filed a complaint to discontinue the employee’s workers’ compensation benefits. Attorney Pappas attended the Conciliation on behalf of the injured worker and advocated for his client. Ultimately, before the insurer’s complaint was heard by an administrative judge at a Conference, Attorney Pappas was able to secure a lump sum settlement for $80,000, which represented approximately 4 years of future disability payments.
Have you Been Hurt on the Job in Massachusetts?
If you, or someone you know, has been injured on the job in Massachusetts, you should know your rights and be sure you are getting the benefits you deserve. To schedule your free, no-obligation case review and evaluation with Attorney Charles S. Pappas please call us at (508) 879-3500 or contact us online. We are more than happy to meet with you and answer all of your questions.