Worker’s Compensation

Work injuries happen even if you follow all safety rules and your employer takes every possible precaution. When your work injury affects your spine, you can depend on exceptional care from Amanda Carpenter, MD, and Duncan Carpenter, MD, at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates. They manage workers’ compensation cases, provide your evaluation and treatment, monitor your rehabilitation, and complete all required reports. To learn more about workers’ compensation, call the Ridgewood, New Jersey, office or schedule an appointment online today. 

What is workers’ compensation?

Workers’ compensation is insurance employers provide for their employees. The insurance covers your medical expenses if you’re injured or develop a chronic condition due to work. You may also get part of your wages while you heal.

What are the most common workers’ compensation injuries?

The most common work injuries include:

• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Being struck or crushed by an object
• Getting trapped between objects
• Accidents involving tools
• Car and truck accidents
• Construction accidents
• Repetitive use injuries (like carpal tunnel syndrome)
• Exposure to chemicals (for example, lung disease due to years of inhaling fumes or dust)

Spine injuries are among the top workers’ compensation claims, often caused by: 

• Lifting heavy objects
• Frequent bending
• Prolonged standing or sitting
• Poor ergonomics
• Accident listed above

Many people develop job-related back problems such as strains, sprains, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and fractures.

What happens during workers’ compensation spinal care?

North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates offers comprehensive care for neck and back problems. The first step is seeking a medical evaluation as soon as possible after sustaining a work-related injury, or as soon as you know you have a spine condition related to your job.

After your initial exam and getting diagnostic tests (if needed), your provider develops a personalized treatment plan. Your treatment targets your unique injury.

Your North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates provider focuses on relieving your symptoms, treating the underlying problem, and providing the treatment and rehabilitation needed for you to return to work.

Treatments you may receive for a work-related injury include:

• Medications
• Physical therapy
• Back bracing
• Epidural steroid injections
• Minimally invasive spine surgery

Though spinal treatment always begins with the most appropriate nonsurgical treatments, you may ultimately need spine surgery to repair the underlying damage, restore spinal stability, and regain optimal strength.

Along with exceptional spinal care, North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates also completes all the forms required for workers’ compensation.

They understand that their reports determine your qualification for workers’ compensation and influence when you can go back to work. You can depend on them to submit the paperwork on time and talk with case managers if needed.

Call North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates to get prompt care for a work-related spine injury.