Let's get into how multiple-injury claims actually work: when it’s one claim versus several, how deadlines and benefits apply, the difference between “schedule” and “non-schedule” injuries, and the common traps insurers set.
If all your injuries come from the same accident, it’s one claim. So if you fall down stairs and hurt both arms plus your back, that’s still a single case.
If a new problem pops up because of the original injury (like shoulder pain from using crutches after a knee surgery), that gets folded into the same claim too.
But if you’ve had separate accidents, even to the same body part, you need separate claims. Example: you hurt your back in 2023, then re-injured it in 2025. Both have to be filed.
In a schedule case, each body part is valued separately and the awards are added together, though any temporary checks you’ve already received are subtracted from the total.
In a non-schedule case, the focus is on your overall disability rating, so extra injuries don’t automatically increase your compensation unless they raise your total percentage.
And in situations where you’ve got a mix of both, sometimes the best option is a Section 32 settlement, which closes the case out for a lump sum that covers everything at once.
If you’ve got both schedule and non-schedule injuries (say a knee and a back), strategy matters.
Your lawyer’s job is to steer the case toward whichever path gives you more.
Multiple injuries often mean multiple specialists. You might need a spine doctor for your back, an orthopedist for your knee, and a PT for your shoulder. Some doctors cover more than one area, but you’ll likely see more than one provider.
The one thing to avoid? Overlapping treatment for the same injury—like getting both PT and chiropractic for your back at the same time. The insurance company won’t pay for duplicate care.
Insurers love to chip away at multi-injury claims. Some common moves:
The best defense is being upfront. If you’ve had prior injuries, say so. Stick to your doctor’s plan, stay consistent, and document everything.
Sometimes the best move is a Section 32 settlement—closing the case with a lump sum that takes all injuries into account.
It’s common for other injuries to show up after your claim is filed. Sometimes the pain from one injury hides another, or new issues pop up from overcompensating.
These can be added to your case—but timing matters. The longer you wait, the worse it looks. If something new starts bothering you, tell your doctor and lawyer right away so it’s in your records.
Consistency and good documentation go a long way toward making sure you get every dollar you deserve.
If you’ve got multiple injuries, I know how overwhelming it feels—doctors, deadlines, insurance nonsense, all at once. You don’t have to figure it out by yourself. If you want straight answers about your options and what will actually help your case, call me, Rex Zachofsky.
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