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Michigan Advocacy Center, PLLC

How To Tell If Your Injury Is Worth Suing For

  • By: Matthew Bedikian
How To Tell If Your Injury Is Worth Suing For

Telltale Signs Of A Serious Injury Worth Suing For

Not every workplace injury is created equal. Some cuts and bruises heal with rest and ice. Others can leave you out of work for weeks, maybe even months. The line between a “minor incident” and something worth pursuing in court often depends on how the injury affects your daily life and your ability to earn a living.

If you’ve been hurt at work, you have grounds to sue if:

  • You’ve needed surgery or long-term treatment
  • You’ve been unable to return to work for an extended time
  • You’ve lost feeling or function in a limb or joint
  • The injury was caused by clear negligence (e.g. faulty equipment or ignored safety protocols)
  • You’ve racked up thousands in medical bills but your employer’s insurance is playing hardball

Even if your injury seemed minor at first, delayed symptoms can creep in. Pain that won’t go away, numbness, or mobility issues all warrant a second look.

Common Types Of Injuries You Can Sue For

Workers’ compensation is supposed to cover on-the-job injuries, but when that system fails – or your injury goes beyond what workers’ comp will handle, suing may be the only way forward. These are some of the most common injuries that lead to successful personal injury claims:

  • Back and spinal injuries: Slips, falls, or repetitive lifting can damage vertebrae or cause herniated discs.
  • Head trauma and concussions: Even a minor knock to the head can lead to long-term cognitive or neurological problems.
  • Crush injuries: Common in factory or construction settings, where limbs or digits can get caught in machinery
  • Chemical burns or toxic exposure: Especially when protective gear or warnings were absent.
  • Fractures or orthopedic injuries: Broken bones that require casting, surgery, or months of rehab.

A strong case typically involves proving that the injury wasn’t just “part of the job” but resulted from negligence, lack of safety procedures, or intentional disregard.

Fighting for your health and your paycheck at the same time is exhausting. Don’t go it alone. Our injury attorneys work with clients like you every day who are just trying to get back on their feet.

If you’re unsure whether your case qualifies, it costs nothing to have a conversation. We Won’t charge a dime unless they win your case.

Average Personal Injury Settlements In Michigan

Not every case results in a seven-figure payout but even moderate compensation can help you cover bills, replace lost wages, and get your life back on track. Here’s a general range you can expect:

  • Minor injuries (like sprains or short-term fractures): $10,000–$50,000
  • Moderate injuries (requiring surgery or months off work): $50,000–$200,000
  • Severe, life-altering injuries (such as amputations or paralysis): $200,000 and up

A settlement doesn’t have to hit the million-dollar mark to be life-changing, It just has to reflect the true cost of what you’ve been through.

How Long Does It Take To Settle A Personal Injury Claim?

Some claims settle in months. Others drag on for a year or more. The timeline depends on a few things:

  • Is liability clear? If it’s obvious the employer was at fault, the case moves faster.
  • Are you still recovering? Lawyers often wait until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement to ensure all future costs are accounted for.
  • Is the insurance company cooperating? Delays often come from lowball offers, stonewalling, or flat-out denial of claims.
  • Will your case go to trial? Most settle out of court, but if you do go to trial, expect the process to extend significantly.

Generally speaking, expect anywhere from 6 to 18 months depending on the complexity of the case.

Of course, every situation is unique. Two people with similar injuries can receive very different settlements based on circumstances, employer response, and legal strategy.

Recent Settlements We’ve Won

Here are a few real-world examples from our past clients:

  • $350,000 – Factory worker injured while operating a defective press machine.
  • $1.2 million – Construction worker with spine injury after a fall due to missing guardrails.
  • $645,000 – Office assistant with nerve damage from lifting boxes beyond weight limit.
  • $500,000 – Warehouse employee exposed to toxic cleaning agents without PPE.

These aren’t just numbers. They represent real people who were able to rebuild their lives after being hurt on the job.

Whether your injury happened on a factory floor or in a quiet office, the outcome shouldn’t depend on who has the bigger team. It should depend on how much harm was done.

Get The Help You Need To Move Forward
And Pursue The Compensation You Deserve.

References:
https://www.daxgarzalaw.com/blog/workplace-accidents/work-related-injuries/
https://petrocohen.com/blog/know-sure-injury-work-related/ 
Michigan Advocacy Center, PLLC

Call Now For A Personalized Case Evaluation
(248) 266-7600