What happens when an accident doesn’t just leave you with one injury, but several? A hurt back, a torn shoulder, or even long-term repetitive strain injuries can quickly complicate the process of filing a claim and receiving the benefits you’re entitled to. Let's take a look at what this can mean for your workers' compensation case.
One question I hear all the time is, “If I have multiple injuries from the same accident, do I need to file separate claims for each one?” The short answer: nope. Whether you hurt your back, shoulder, and knee in a car accident or ended up with carpal tunnel in both wrists from hours of typing, you only need one workers’ comp claim for all injuries caused by the same incident or condition.
Here’s how it works: workers’ comp focuses on the accident or condition that caused your injuries, not the individual injuries themselves. For example, if you slipped at work and injured your neck, back, and shoulder, you’d file one claim for that accident—not three separate ones. However, if something unrelated pops up later—like developing carpal tunnel years after a shoulder injury—you’d likely need to file a new claim for that new issue.
Filing a single claim for injuries related to the same accident keeps things simpler and avoids extra headaches. It also makes sure your compensation reflects the full scope of everything you’ve been through because of the incident.
If you’ve got multiple injuries, one of the first things you might ask is, “How is this going to affect my workers’ comp benefits?” The good news is that, at least in the beginning, it’s pretty straightforward. Temporary disability benefits are calculated the same way no matter how many injuries you’re dealing with. Regardless if it’s a single shoulder injury, a sprained ankle, or a bunch of injuries across different parts of your body, your temporary benefits are based on your average weekly wage before the accident.
Things get a bit more complicated later, though, when it’s time to look at permanent disability benefits. At this stage, the type of injury and where it’s located matter a lot. For injuries to extremities—like your arms, legs, hands, or feet—the compensation is based on a Schedule Loss of Use (SLU). This calculates how much function you’ve lost in that body part and turns it into a certain number of weeks’ worth of compensation. But for injuries to your neck, back, or other major areas of the body, you might fall under nonscheduled permanent partial disability (PPD) instead. PPD looks at how much your injury affects your ability to work and earn a living overall.
So, while temporary benefits are pretty simple across the board, permanent benefits depend on the specifics of your injuries. It’s worth knowing the difference so you’re ready for what comes next.
Dealing with multiple injuries from a workplace accident can make you wonder: Do I need a different doctor for each injury? What if treatments overlap? The answers depend on what kind of injuries you have and which specialists you need.
Sometimes, one doctor can handle everything. For example, an orthopedist might be able to treat both a knee and shoulder injury. But if things are more complicated—like if you’ve hurt your neck, back, and shoulder—you’ll probably need to see a few specialists. A chiropractor might take care of your neck and back, while an orthopedist or physical therapist works on your shoulder.
The good news? Some medical offices offer a one-stop-shop for treatment, so you don’t have to run all over the place. It’s worth finding a setup that works best for your recovery while keeping everything well-documented for your case.
Here’s the thing: insurance adjusters aren’t there to help you—they’re working for the insurance company, and their main goal is to save money. That means they might use different tricks to downplay your injuries or reduce what they have to pay.
One of their favorite moves? Digging into your past to blame pre-existing conditions or old injuries. Let’s say you hurt your shoulder at work, but years ago, you had a minor strain on the same shoulder. The insurance company might try to argue that your current pain is from that old strain, not your recent accident. This is why it’s super important to have clear, detailed medical records that connect your injuries directly to your workplace accident.
Another tactic they use is the Independent Medical Exam (IME). These exams are done by doctors hired by the insurance company, and surprise, surprise—they don’t always have your best interests in mind. IMEs can sometimes be used to argue that your injuries aren’t as bad as you say or that certain treatments aren’t necessary. If you have an IME coming up, go in prepared. Take notes on what the doctor says and does during the exam, and talk to your lawyer if anything seems off in the report.
When a workplace accident leaves you with multiple injuries, things can get a little tricky. Issues like consequential injuries and overlapping claims can make the process more complicated, but understanding how they’re handled can make it easier to manage.
So, what are consequential injuries? These are problems that pop up because of your original injury. For example, if you hurt your left knee and start favoring your right leg to compensate, you might end up with pain or even an injury in your right knee. The good news is that these types of injuries are often covered under your original workers’ comp claim—but you’ll need medical documentation that clearly ties them back to the original accident.
Having the right evidence and support in these situations is key to keeping your case on track and making sure nothing gets overlooked.
You can absolutely settle your case, even with several injuries, as long as everything in your claim is properly addressed.
So, who gets the ball rolling on a settlement? It depends. Sometimes the insurance company might come to you with an offer. Other times, your lawyer might suggest starting the conversation—especially if your recovery has leveled off, you’re back at work, or you’re just ready to move on. Judges can also nudge things along during hearings if they think the case is close to being resolved.
No matter how the discussion starts, the key is making sure the settlement fully covers all your injuries and what you’ve been through. Taking the time to get it right can make all the difference in the long run.
If you’re feeling unsure or just want to make sure your case is on the right track, I’m here to help. Call me, Rex Zachofsky, at 212-406-8989. I'm happy to answer any questions you have.
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