More than 1.7 Million Dollars Recovered for the Injured in November 2020

Byron Warnken on January 1, 2021
Posted in Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Successes for Our Clients, Workers' Comp.

Warnken, LLC had a strong November 2020, recovering a total of $1,741,302.60 for our injured clients.  More specifics of the cases are listed below.  Please remember, no two cases are exactly the same.  There are numerous variables that go into determining the value of a case.  Generally, you cannot determine the real total value without going through the process.  Moreover, you will seldom realize the true value of a case without getting an experienced personal injury attorney.

Please see last month’s list of case conclusions below and please do not hesitate to contact us with questions about your case.

• Injury: Concussion, cervical strain, back strain
• Body Part: Head, neck, back
• Amount: $75,000.00
• Claimant was involved in a motor vehicle collision while working, which resulted in claiming sustained a head injury related to whiplash. Claimant also sustained injury to the back and neck. Claimant was seen by a neurologist and orthopedic doctor who prescribed medication and therapy.

 

• Injury: Cervical disc herniation
• Body Part: Neck
• Amount: $46,500.00
• Claimant sustained injury while setting a ladder while working. Claimant underwent a disc replacement surgery due to a herniated disc and was able to return to pre-injury employment following a course of therapy.

 

• Injury: Rotator Cuff Tear
• Body Part: Shoulder
• Amount: $35,100.00
• Claimant sustained injury while lifting heavy objects at work. Claimant underwent surgical repair of the rotator cuff before returning to pre-injury employment.

 

• Injury: Chronic Pain Syndrome, CPRS of lower limb, ankle ligament tear
• Body Part: Ankle
• Amount: $80,000 plus MSA of $241,382.00 professionally administered
• Claimant rolled ankle while working, which caused a tear of the ligaments. Claimant underwent surgical repair. Following surgery, claimant developed CRPS. To treat the CPRS, a spinal cord stimulator was placed in the Claimant’s back to help with pain control. Claimant was unable to return to pre-injury employment.

 

• Injury: Wrist sprain
• Body Part: Wrist
• Amount: $8,000.00
• Claimant sustained a sprain while moving a bed in the hospital. Claimant had a prior injury to the same hand that was aggravated. Claimant had therapy before returning to pre-injury employment.

 

• Injury: Disc herniation that required fusion surgery
• Body Part: Back
• Amount: $85,000 plus MSA of $26,996.00
• Claimant was injured while using an industrial shearing machine that required lifting and pushing. Claimant had fusion surgery after conservative care was not successful. Claimant was not able to return to pre-injury employment but declined vocational rehabilitation due to family circumstances.

 

• Injury: Brain infection
• Body Part: Brain
• Amount: $72,500.00
• Claimant developed a brain infection due to his employment cleaning bird droppings from silos. Claimant was left with severe permanent disability that prevented him from returning to work. The insurer contested the claim and the matter settled on appeal.

 

• Injury: Back strain and knee sprain
• Body Part: Back and Leg
• Amount: $2,877.00
• Claimant tripped and fell at work while on a farm to assist with chicken processing. Claimant was seen by an orthopedic doctor and underwent physical therapy.

 

• Injury: Lumbar disc herniation and meniscus tear
• Body Part: Back and Leg
• Amount: $148,538.00 in additional compensation
• Claimant was involved in a terrible motor vehicle collision while on duty that required multiple emergency surgeries and a stay at Shock Trauma. Claimant recovered and received workers’ comp benefits. Claimant reopened his workers’ comp case for additional treatment. Claimant had an additional surgery to the back for a laminectomy. Claimant also had surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

 

• Injury: Cervical herniated nucleus pulposus, thoracic spondylosis and myofascial strain.
• Body Part: Neck and Back
• Amount: $36,500.00
• Location: Eastern Shore
• Client sustained neck and back injuries after falling through a hole in the floor that was covered. The injured worker sought orthopedic care and was diagnosed with a C5-6 herniated disc and an injury to the thoracic level.  As part of pain management, the Claimant was offered a cervical cortisone steroid injection.

 

• Injury: L4-5 and L5-S1 disc herniations with cord compression.
• Body Part: Back
• Amount: $50,250.00
• Location: Baltimore County
• Worker sustained a lifting injury while working as a manager of a quick stop retail and gas store. The injured worker sustained injury to the low back that radiated into the leg.  MRI revealed a large broad-based central and left-side disc herniation with compression of the spinal cord.  Claimant underwent an L5-S1 microdiscectomy.  After some improvement, the Claimant underwent a follow up MRI, which revealed another disc herniation at the L4-5 level.  A second surgery was performed.  This time a revision of the prior laminectomy and foraminotomy as well as a L5-S1 anterior lumbar interbody fusion and posterolateral lumbar fusion.  Post-surgically, the Claimant remains in pain management.  A Functional Capacity Evaluation indicated that the worker could not physically return to the pre-injury job.  Through vocational rehabilitation, the worker found a new full-time position that was within work restrictions.

 

• Injury: Ruptured Achilles’ tendon.
• Body Part: Foot/Ankle
• Amount: $31,000.00
• Location: Prince George’s County
• Warehouse worker injured foot/ankle when a pallet fell onto the foot/ankle. The blow ruptured the Achilles’ tendon, which was surgically repaired.  The worker had a follow up surgery due to an infection.  After the surgeries, the worker returned to the same position with the employer.

 

• Injury: Lumbar disc bulges and facet arthropathy at L2-3, L4-5 and L5-S1.
• Body Part: Back
• Amount: $12,000.00
• Location: Prince George’s County
• Laborer sustained a back injury while lifting and moving a flat screen tv. Claimant is developmentally delayed.  An MRI revealed disc bulges at multiple levels (L2-3, L4-5, L5-S1).  A series of lumbar steroid injections were offered, but declined.   Claimant returned to work for the same employer before switching jobs to a new employer, doing similar work.

 

• Injury: Fifth metatarsal shaft fracture; “Jones” fracture
• Body Part: Foot
• Amount: $6,311.25.
• Location: Baltimore City
• Claimant sustained injury to the foot/ankle when the worker mis-stepped off an unmarked ledge in a school auditorium. Impact injury that caused a fifth metatarsal shaft fracture (a “Jones” fracture).  Injured worker underwent an internal fixation and open reduction with screw fixation.  Claimant returned to work in the same position.

 

• Injury: Concussion, Fracture of the fifth metatarsal, post-traumatic arthritis at the fifth metatarsal cuboid joint, “Morton’s neuroma” at the third interspace of the foot
• Body Part: Head and Foot
• Amount: $10,980.00.
• Location: McLean, VA
• Worker sustained a concussion and a fracture of the fifth metatarsal when the worker slipped and fell on icy conditions in the employer’s parking lot. The worker developed post-traumatic arthritis at the fifth metatarsal cuboid joint.  During the recovery, the worker developed a “Morton’s neuroma” at the third interspace of the foot.  Two Kenalog/Celestrone injections were administered, one to each part of the foot.  Surgery was recommended.
• Injury: Open fractures of the index, middle, and small fingers.  Tear of the middle finger extensor tendon.
• Body Part: Hand and all Fingers
• Amount: 30% PPD to the hand.  $27,900.00
• Location: Baltimore City
• Worker sustained a crush and partial “degloving” injury to the hand when the hand was caught in a conveyor. Claimant sustained open fractures of the index, middle, and small fingers as well as an injury to the thumb and ring fingers.  Worker underwent emergency open reduction and internal fixation of the small finger distal interphalangeal joint, repair of the middle finger extensor tendon, and debridement of small, middle and index fingers.  Injury was to the dominate hand.  After post-surgical therapy, worker returned to employer in a different, lighter duty position.

 

• Injury: Grade II AC Joint Separation of the Shoulder.
• Body Part: Shoulder
• Amount: 8% PPD, $7,480.00
• Location: Baltimore County
• Worker slipped and fell on an icy roof and landed on the shoulder. Orthopedist diagnosed a “Grade II” AC joint separation.  After therapy and a period of work hardening, the claimant returned to work for the same employer.

 

• Injury: Traumatic rotator cuff tendinosis, subacromial and subdeltoid bursitis, an incomplete rotator cuff tear and impingement syndrome
• Body Part: Shoulder
• Amount: $147,000.00 for indemnity, plus continued weekly benefits while settlement was being drafted and approved, with no credit.  $17,633.35 in a professionally administer MSA.  Total settlement, $164,633.35.
• While demolishing a fence, the worker sustained a shoulder injury moving the wood and using the sledgehammer. Orthopedist diagnosed worker with traumatic rotator cuff tendinosis, subacromial and subdeltoid bursitis, an incomplete rotator cuff tear and impingement syndrome.  First surgery was a arthroscopic decompression and an acromioplasty with rotator cuff and labral debridement.  Claimant was undergoing vocational services when worker was recommended for a second surgery.  The second surgery was a arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, open subpectoral biceps tenodesis, subacromial decompression, acromioplasty and excision of subacromial bursitis.     Claimant was within the second period of vocational rehabilitations when the parties reach of settlement.

 

• Injury: Fractured proximal humerus
• Body Part: Shoulder
• Amount: $52,650.00.
• Location: Baltimore County
• Employer: Baltimore area nursing home
• Worker caught foot on a chair and fell forward, landing on the shoulder. Worker sustained a fractured proximal humerus.  Due to poor healing, the worker underwent a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty and open reduction and internal fixation with cerclage fixation of the greater tuberosity, a subscapular tendon transfer to the greater tuberosity, and a biceps tendon transfer to the subscapularis
• Injury: Bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome and bilateral plantar fasciitis.
• Body Part: Both Feet
• Amount: $75,000.00
• Location: Prince George’s County
• Claimant worked in retail for a long period of time. Claimant developed bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome and bilateral plantar fasciitis.  “Occupational disease” claim was filed, tried at the Commission and the claim was “disallowed.”  Claimant filed an appeal.  The claim was resolved during the appeal process.  Medically, claimant underwent a cortisone injection and a stem cell injection to one foot.  When the worker continued to receive no relief, the worker underwent a tarsal tunnel release and a partial plantar fasciitis release.  All the medical care was focused on one foot.  The second foot was delayed until the first foot recovered.

 

• Injury: L4-5 disc bulge and facet hypertrophy with central annual tear.
• Body Part: Back
• Amount: 25% PPD, with 10% related and 15% pre-existing. $9,350.00
• Location: Calvert County
• Worker was cutting down trees and sustained injury to the back putting away the chainsaw. Injury aggravated a prior surgical repair from years prior.  MRI revealed L4-5 disc bulge and facet hypertrophy with central annual tear.  Claimant underwent two period of therapy.  Worker continues to work for the same employer.

 

• Injury: Cervical Spondylosis, Clavicle Contusion, Rotator Cuff Tendinosis
• Body Part: Neck, Back, Shoulder, Chest
• Amount: $30,000.00
• Location: 95 South/695 W ramp
• Insurer: USAA
• Plaintiff was injured when they were stopped on the off ramp due to traffic and as rear ended. Plaintiff was evaluated at the emergency room department and was given pain medication.  Plaintiff had an MRI of the shoulder which revealed rotator cuff tendinosis. An MRI of the cervical spine was performed which showed mild spondylosis and disc bulging at C6-7. Plaintiff was treated with injections, physical therapy, and chiropractic treatments.

 

• Injury: Headaches, Shoulder Strain/Sprain, Back Sprain/Strain, Wrist Sprain, Neck Sprain/Strain, Hip Strain, Ankle Sprain
• Body Part: Head, Shoulder, Back, Wrist, Neck, Hip, Ankle
• Amount: $81,500.00
• Insurer: Geico
• Plaintiff sustained injuries when their motorcycle was struck by another a vehicle. Plaintiff was evaluated at the emergency room, x-rays and CT scans taken, was prescribed pain meds and discharged home. Plaintiff was treated with pain medications, physical therapy, chiropractic treatments, and an injection to the shoulder.

 

• Injury: Numerous Injuries
• Body Part: Back, Neck, Arm, Legs, Head, Pelvic Injury; Others
• Amount: $160,000.00
• Insurer: Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance
• Claimant sustained injuries when involved in a motor vehicle accident and was thrown off the back of the garbage truck. Claimant underwent numerous surgical procedures to the forearm, abdomen, and to the leg.  Claimant was then transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility and was discharged with home health care and equipment.  They were also treated with physical therapy, wrist brace, cognitive psychotherapy and medications.

 

• Injury: Shoulder Strain
• Body Part: Shoulder
• Amount: $7,560.00
• Location: Baltimore, MD
• Claimant was at work installing stage decks when they sustained injury to their shoulder. Claimant was treated with a sling, pain medications, physical therapy, injection and an EMG. An MRI of the shoulder was performed which showed a small anterior and superior labral tear.

 

• Injury:            Thoracic Strain, Lumbosacral Strain with Disc Herniations
• Body Part: Thoracolumbar
• Amount: $9.350.00
• Location: Route 1 and Route 175, Jessup, MD
• Insurer: Liberty Mutual
• Claimant was involved in a motor vehicle collision during the course of their employment sustaining injury to the back. Claimant was treated with pain medications, physical therapy, and bracing.  An MRI of the lumbar spine was performed which revealed bilateral foraminal disc protrusions.

 

• Body Part: Thumb
• Amount: $27,900.00
• Location: Elkridge, MD
• Insurer: CNA Insurance
• Claimant was working as a mechanic changing a motor belt when their thumb got caught in the rotor. Claimant was treated with wound care, sutures, and a surgical nail removal.  They underwent surgery in the form of a partial amputation of the thumb.

 

• Injury: Back Sprain, Meniscus Tear of Knee
• Body Part: Bilateral Knees, Back
• Amount: $9,120.00
• Location: Frederick, MD
• Insurer: Travelers
• Claimant was at working cleaning a barn when they fell through the floor sustaining injuries to the back and both knees. Claimant was treated with bracing, physical therapy, and injections.  Claimant underwent surgery in the form of a partial lateral meniscectomy.

 

• Injury: Traumatic injury to the hip and shoulder
• Body Part: Hip & Shoulder
• Amount: $9,150
• While attempting to break up a fight, the Claimant was pushed against a wall and sustained injures to the shoulder and hip. Claimant treated with physical therapy and medications. Claimant was found to have a small partial labral tear, which did not warrant surgery or intrusive treatment.  Claimant was released to full duty with the same employer.

 

 

• Injury: Musculo-ligamentous sprain of neck and back, traumatic injury to the shoulder
• Body Part: Neck, Back, Shoulder
• Amount: $17,000
• Insurer: Zurich Insurance
• Claimant was injured while lifting boxes for the employer. Claimant was treated and diagnosed with a musculo-ligamentous sprain of neck and back and traumatic injury to the shoulder.  Claimant underwent treatment in the form of chiropractic care, physical therapy, and aquatic therapy, before being released back to work.

 

• Injury: Concussion
• Amount: $4,525
• Insurer: Travelers
• Claimant was injured while working as a housekeeper, when blinds fell on top of them, striking their head. Claimant was diagnosed with a concussion and treated with physical therapy, vestibular therapy, and medications, before being released to full duty with the same employer.

 

• Injury: Displaced bimalleolar fracture of the leg/ankle
• Body Part: Ankle
• Amount: $43,000
• Claimant was injured while walking a dog as part of the job for their employer, when they fell down a hill, fracturing their ankle. Claimant was treated surgically with an internal fixation, followed by post-operative physical therapy and medications.  Claimant was eventually released back to full duty.

 

• Injury: Central slip injury of the extensor tendon
• Body Part: Finger
• Amount: $6,250
• Claimant was injured when their finger struck the edge of a register at work. Claimant underwent an MRI which revealed an injury to the tendon. Claimant underwent surgery in the form of a little finger central slip tendon repair, followed by post-operative physical therapy and medications, before being released back to work.