Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers | October 2, 2025 | Workers' Compensation
Back injuries are one of the most common types of injuries suffered in the workplace. In fact, more than 1 million workers suffer back injuries on the job each year. These injuries account for roughly 20% of all workplace injuries.
Thankfully, workers’ compensation benefits can help most of these injured victims recover from the financial repercussions of these injuries. Workers’ compensation settlements for back injuries can vary widely, depending on the specifics of your case. Keep reading below to learn everything you need to know about workers’ comp settlements for back injuries.
What Is the Average Workers’ Comp Settlement For a Back Injury?
According to OSHA, the typical back injury costs $40,000 – $80,000. However, the value of a back injury settlement can vary significantly. Each case is unique, and every case must be evaluated on the specific factors associated with the claim.
Some of the factors that will influence the value of your settlement include:
- The severity of your injury
- The extent of the required medical treatments
- Whether or not you must be hospitalized
- Whether or not you will require surgery
- Your on-going and future medical care needs
- How much time you missed from work due to your injury
- Whether you will be able to return to work
Some workers may receive a settlement that is significantly less than the OSHA average. On the other hand, your case could be worth much more than average. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help evaluate your claim and determine how much it may be worth.
Common Work-Related Back Injuries
There are many types of back injuries commonly suffered by North Carolina workers. Some of these injuries are the result of a single accident. However, others are caused by repetitive motion over many months or years.
Some of the most common types of back injuries include:
- Herniated discs
- Bulging discs
- Pulled muscles
- Fractured vertebrae
- Damaged spinal cord
- Pinched nerves
All of these types of injuries may cause someone to be unable to perform their job. If so, they may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
Benefits Available From Workers’ Compensation
Basic workers’ compensation claims are fairly straightforward. In those situations, an injured worker might miss some time from work because of their injury. They would be entitled to receive medical benefits for all necessary medical treatments and two-thirds of their average weekly wages until they return to work.
However, things can get a little more complex if you are left with permanent effects from your injuries. In those cases, you may be entitled to receive permanent partial disability benefits or even permanent total disability benefits. These benefits are based on an impairment rating assigned to you by your doctor.
North Carolina law specifies how many weeks of benefits you receive for the loss of use of certain body parts. While this may seem straightforward, you may not agree with the doctor’s assigned rating.
This is why it is extremely important to have an experienced lawyer on your side who has your best interests in mind. A lawyer can advise you of your legal options and help you determine whether you should accept a particular settlement.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Typical Personal Injury Claims
Workers’ compensation is an exclusive remedy, so you generally cannot sue your employer for a work-related injury. However, if a third party is responsible for your injury, you can bring a third-party lawsuit to hold them accountable for your losses.
Third-party lawsuits can open the door to non-economic damages as part of your claim. This can greatly increase the value of your claim.
Some common non-economic damages available in third-party claims are:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
Before deciding whether to accept a settlement for your back injury, always consult with a lawyer for help. Your lawyer can help you explore all your legal options to ensure you are getting the most compensation for your back injury.
Contact the Durham Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you’ve been injured at the workplace, Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers is here to help. For more information, please contact us to schedule a free consultation with a workers’ compensation lawyer in North Carolina today.
We have twelve convenient locations in North Carolina, including Greenville, Raleigh, Goldsboro, Jacksonville, Kinston, Charlotte, Greensboro, Durham, Fayetteville, Wilmington, Winston-Salem & Garner.
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Raleigh Office
4600 Marriott Dr STE 500, Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 876-3020
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Durham Office
100 E Parrish St STE 200, Durham, NC 27701
(919) 728-1770
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Goldsboro Office
601 N Spence Ave, Goldsboro, NC 27534
(919) 778-9700
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Charlotte Office
1914 J N Pease Pl Suite 142, Charlotte, NC 28262
(704) 486-5824
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Greenville Office
300 E Arlington Blvd Suite 2A #110, Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 397-8620
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Fayetteville Office
2517 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28305
(910) 387-9186
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Greensboro Office
7B Corporate Center Ct Suite 15, Greensboro, NC 27408
(336) 516-9066
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville Office
3391 Henderson Dr, Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 455-5599
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Garner Office
500 Benson Rd Suite 111, Garner, NC 27529
(800) 525-7111
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Kinston Office
807 N Queen St, Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 397-8624
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Wilmington Office
1608 Queen St Suite 12, Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 889-4064
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Winston-Salem Office
102 W 3rd St, Ste 1007, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
(336) 516-9042