Illinois job injuries and diabetes that stops you from getting better
A recent Illinois workers’ compensation case brings to light an area of medical benefits that are often available, but lesser known. That is, where a medical condition needs to be treated but was not caused by the work accident, though it is necessary to correct in order to treat the injury that was caused by the work accident.
In this case, a worker was able to receive medical benefits for treating his weight loss and diabetes. Though neither condition was created by or related to his employment or his work injury, they were impeding his treatment for the work injury. The worker had injured his neck while lifting a heavy object on the job. An attempt was made to alleviate his condition with a nerve block, but his size and stature prevented the success of the procedure. Surgery was next attempted as well, but again, due to the worker’s weight the procedure could not be completed.
A second surgery was recommended for this injured worker, and this time the physician recommended preliminary treatment for his weight loss and diabetes, in order to achieve a successful surgical outcome. The Workers’ Compensation Commission determined that benefits were available to pay for these treatments. Although the work accident did not cause the conditions, treatment of the weight and diabetes were reasonably necessary to successfully treat the injury from the work accident.
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act entitles injured workers to benefits for all necessary medical services that are reasonably called for in order to cure or relieve the worker from the problems caused by the work accident. This should include all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to surgery for the injury. Where another medical condition which can be treated is standing in the way of necessary and appropriate corrective measures for the work injury, then the bills to treat the condition should be covered as well. We have seen other times when weight loss surgeries have been ordered to improve the chances of a back surgery working.
Sometimes clearing the road block is a necessary step to traveling down the road. In this scenario, an obstructing but unrelated medical condition should be compensated in order to properly treat the work injury.
Bottom line is that there is nothing more important than your health. If someone tells you no, make sure to get an independent opinion before assuming you can't be helped.
We are workers' compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys. Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.
