What Steps to Take After Suffering Nerve Damage on the Work Site
At Tormey & McConnell, we've seen firsthand how devastating work-related injuries can be, especially those involving nerve damage. These types of injuries often result in chronic pain, limited mobility, and long-term complications that interfere with daily life and your ability to earn a living.
When clients reach out to our firm after suffering nerve damage, we know they’re not just asking for help—they're asking for a path forward. That's why we meet with every client personally. You won't be shuffled off to a secretary; you'll sit down with one of us—Jeff or Ed—and get the attention your case deserves.
If you're dealing with a personal injury on the work site in Amarillo, Texas, you're not alone—and there are steps we can take together.
Report the Injury Immediately
The first thing we need to do after a work-related injury is notify a supervisor or employer. That might seem obvious, but it's often missed in the chaos of the moment, especially if symptoms don’t show up right away. With nerve damage, the pain or numbness may creep in over hours or days, so it’s easy to think it’s minor until it becomes unbearable.
We must take this step seriously because reporting the injury right away:
Establishes a timeline: This creates a clear link between the work activity and the injury.
Supports your workers’ compensation claim: Without timely reporting, your employer or their insurer may challenge your claim.
Leads to faster treatment: Getting help early can prevent further damage and speed up your recovery.
Once you've reported the injury, request written documentation and keep a copy for your records. This becomes useful later when we begin building a personal injury case.
Seek Medical Attention and Get a Diagnosis
After reporting the injury, it’s time to focus on medical care. Nerve damage isn’t always visible, so we need to work closely with medical professionals to confirm exactly what's wrong.
Depending on the nature of the accident, symptoms might include shooting pain, tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, or loss of coordination. It’s essential to get an accurate diagnosis as early as possible.
You’ll likely be referred to professionals who deal with nerve injuries, such as neurologists or pain management physicians. These professionals can perform:
EMG or nerve conduction studies: To check how your nerves are functioning.
MRI or CT scans: To identify any spinal or tissue damage contributing to nerve problems.
Physical exams: To monitor reflexes, muscle strength, and range of motion.
We’ll later use these medical records as part of your personal injury claim to show how the damage has affected your life and what future care you might need.
Document Everything Related to the Injury
Once you've seen a doctor, it’s time to start documenting everything. We’ll help with that process, but the more details you can collect early, the stronger your case becomes. Every piece of evidence helps us tie the injury directly to your workplace.
Here’s what to keep track of:
Workplace incident reports: These include what was reported, when, and by whom.
Medical records and bills: Everything from the ER visit to physical therapy sessions.
Photos of the work site: If possible, snap images of the area where the injury occurred.
Your symptoms over time: Keep a journal detailing your pain, limitations, and progress.
Wage loss documentation: If you're unable to return to work, we’ll need proof of missed income.
These materials will come into play whether we pursue workers’ compensation or a broader personal injury claim.
Evaluate Workers’ Compensation Options
In many cases, workers’ compensation will be your first source of financial relief. Texas law doesn't require every employer to carry workers’ compensation insurance, but if your employer does, it may cover:
Medical treatment costs: Including diagnostics, surgery, rehab, and medications.
Temporary income benefits: Partial wages while you’re unable to work.
Impairment benefits: Compensation for lasting damage.
Vocational rehab services: If you can’t return to the same job.
We can help confirm if your employer subscribes to workers’ comp and determine what benefits apply to you. If the coverage is available, we’ll work with your treating doctors to document the long-term effects of your nerve damage. If your employer is a non-subscriber, or if your claim is denied, we can discuss other personal injury avenues.
Determine Whether a Personal Injury Claim Is Appropriate
Some work site injuries go beyond a standard workers’ comp case. If a third party—like a contractor, subcontractor, or equipment manufacturer—was responsible for your injury, we may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim. This path allows us to seek compensation for damages that workers’ comp doesn’t cover.
For example:
Pain and suffering: Chronic nerve damage often leads to long-term physical pain and emotional distress.
Full wage loss: Workers’ comp usually pays only partial wages; personal injury claims can seek the full amount.
Future medical care: We may seek compensation for future surgeries, assistive devices, or long-term therapy.
Loss of earning capacity: If you can’t return to the same type of work, your reduced earning power may be considered.
Our firm has over seven decades of combined experience in personal injury law, and we use that background to assess when a lawsuit is necessary. We’ll help you weigh your options and move forward with the right plan.
Be Cautious With Insurance Companies
Once an injury has been reported, insurers often reach out quickly—sometimes offering a quick settlement. That might seem tempting, especially if you’re missing work and dealing with bills. But we encourage you to speak with us first.
Insurance companies aren’t working in your best interest. Their goal is to pay as little as possible. In many cases, they’ll attempt to:
Minimize your injury: Claiming it was preexisting or unrelated to work.
Rush a settlement: Before you know the full extent of your injuries.
Use your words against you: Recorded statements can later be twisted or misinterpreted.
Let us handle all communications with insurers. We’ll verify what you’re entitled to and make sure your personal injury claim is supported by the evidence.
Focus on Recovery While We Build Your Case
While we’re managing the legal side, you should focus on getting better. Nerve damage often requires extended care—sometimes over a lifetime. Your job is to attend appointments, follow your treatment plan, and stay in touch with your doctors.
The more committed you are to your recovery, the easier it is to:
Prove ongoing symptoms: Missed appointments or skipped treatments can raise red flags.
Build a consistent medical record: This shows how the injury has progressed.
Support your legal claim: Judges and juries look at whether you’ve taken your care seriously.
We’ll stay in regular contact to track your progress and update you on the next steps in your personal injury case.
Watch for Signs of Retaliation
If your employer treats you differently after filing an injury report or pursuing a claim, we need to know about it. Texas law prohibits retaliation for reporting a workplace injury or seeking workers’ compensation.
Some forms of retaliation include:
Termination or demotion
Unfair discipline
Harassment or isolation
Reduction in hours or pay
If we find that you’ve been mistreated, we may be able to pursue additional legal action. The last thing you need after suffering nerve damage is to deal with mistreatment at work.
Don’t Wait to Act
Texas law limits how long you have to file claims. For personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is usually two years from the date of the injury. That might sound like a long time, but the earlier we get started, the stronger your case will be.
Key reasons to act quickly:
Witnesses remember more: Statements are more accurate closer to the incident.
Evidence is still available: Work sites change and crucial evidence may disappear.
Medical care is easier to connect: It’s simpler to link treatment directly to the injury.
We’ll walk you through every step and keep you informed along the way. With Jeff’s honesty and commitment to communication and Ed’s medical background, we’re prepared to handle your case with care and clarity.
Reach Out to a Lawyer
If you’re dealing with nerve damage from a work site injury, now’s the time to speak with someone who’s handled these types of cases before.
At Tormey & McConnell, we proudly serve clients in Amarillo, Texas as well as Canyon, Dumas, Pampa, Hereford, Childress, and Borger, Texas. Let’s sit down, discuss your personal injury case, and find the path that’s right for you. Call us today.