What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury on the Job

The days after a spinal cord injury are overwhelming, but a few early steps can protect both your health and your right to full compensation. Here is what a spinal cord injury lawyer would tell you to do after a work-related crash.

1. Get Immediate Medical Care — and Follow Through

Spinal cord injuries can worsen without prompt treatment, and delays also give insurers an excuse to dispute your claim. Get emergency care, follow every referral, and keep all follow-up appointments. Your medical records are both your path to recovery and the backbone of your claim.

2. Report the Injury to Your Employer

Notify your employer as soon as possible. In Pennsylvania, giving notice promptly protects your workers' comp rights; waiting can jeopardize benefits. Report it in writing if you can, and keep a copy.

3. Document Everything About the Crash

• Photos of the scene, vehicles, and your injuries if possible
• Names and contact information of any witnesses
• The police or incident report
• A written timeline while the details are fresh

If another driver or company caused the crash, this evidence is critical to your third-party claim.

4. Do Not Give a Recorded Statement or Settle Early

Insurers may ask for a recorded statement or offer a fast settlement. With a spinal cord injury, the full extent of your needs is rarely clear early on — and once you settle, you generally cannot reopen it. Understand the lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury before agreeing to any number.

5. Talk to a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Because these cases often involve two claims that interact, early legal guidance protects both. Attorney Michael Cardamone, a Certified Workers' Compensation Specialist, handles the comp claim directly and coordinates any third-party case with our heavyweight Personal Injury colleagues. The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we win.