Why Longer Recovery Periods Make Having a Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Critical
Fewer workplace injuries are happening nationwide, but when they do occur, injured workers are spending more time away from the job before they can fully recover. According to The Travelers Companies’ 2025 Injury Impact Report, the average recovery time for a workplace injury has increased to 80 missed workdays, up from 75 days just a few years ago. For some workers, the time away from work can be even longer.
In Mississippi, where many people work in physically demanding industries such as construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation, a prolonged recovery period can mean more than just missed paychecks. It can bring financial stress, delayed medical care, and pressure from insurance companies eager to close claims quickly. That’s when having an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer becomes critical — because the system isn’t designed to prioritize your needs over the insurer’s bottom line.
Who Is Most Affected by Longer Recovery Times?
Travelers’ analysis of 2.6 million workers’ comp claims over 10 years found several trends that are making these longer recovery times more common:
- New employees are at high risk. Workers in their first year on the job accounted for 36% of all injuries and 34% of total claim costs over the past five years. Lack of training, unfamiliarity with safety procedures, and the physical demands of the work all contribute to these numbers.
- Older workers face longer recoveries. Employees aged 50 and older experienced 41% of workplace injuries during the same period. Recovery times are especially high for workers 60 and older, who missed an average of 97 days of work after an injury.
- Workforce changes are part of the problem. Increased retirement ages, high employee turnover, and labor shortages in many industries have all contributed to higher injury severity and slower return-to-work rates.
While these statistics are national, the same risks apply here in Mississippi. Whether you’re on a factory floor in Jackson, a construction site in Ridgeland, or behind the wheel of a delivery truck in the Delta, one serious accident can set you back for months.
Why Recovery Time Matters for Your Workers’ Comp Claim
The more time you’re out of work, the more important your workers’ comp benefits become. In Mississippi, workers’ compensation should cover:
- All reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your injury
- A portion of your lost wages (generally two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to state limits)
- Permanent disability benefits if you have lasting impairments
- Vocational rehabilitation if you can’t return to your previous work
Unfortunately, longer recovery times often give insurance companies more opportunities to dispute or reduce benefits. They may:
- Claim your injury has healed enough for you to return to work sooner than your doctor recommends
- Push for an independent medical exam (IME) with a doctor who may downplay your injury
- Suggest your condition isn’t entirely work-related
- Offer a quick settlement before the full extent of your injury is known
Without legal representation, injured workers are often pressured into returning to work too soon, risking reinjury or long-term disability.
The Special Challenges for Older Workers
The Travelers report confirms what many injured workers already know: recovery can be harder as we age. Older workers may have pre-existing conditions that complicate treatment, slower healing rates, or jobs that are physically more demanding.
For example, a 35-year-old construction worker with a back injury may recover in a few months with proper therapy, while a 62-year-old in the same role could require nearly twice as long before safely returning to full duties. Insurance companies often try to use age as a reason to limit benefits, claiming certain conditions are simply “wear and tear” rather than work-related injuries. That’s one of the many reasons older workers need an attorney who can gather strong medical evidence and prove the work injury directly caused or worsened their condition.
How Tabor Law Firm Fights for Injured Workers in Mississippi
At Tabor Law Firm, P.A., we’ve seen how recovery time affects everything from financial stability to long-term health outcomes. Attorney Jonathan Tabor has over 30 years of experience helping Mississippi workers navigate the system, and he knows the tactics insurance companies use to cut claims short.
Here’s how we approach cases involving extended recovery times:
- Documenting every stage of treatment so the insurance company can’t claim your injury improved faster than it did.
- Working closely with your doctors to ensure your medical records clearly link your injury to your job.
- Challenging IME results when the insurer’s hired doctor tries to minimize your condition.
- Pursuing all available benefits, including permanent partial disability if you can’t fully return to your old job.
- Taking cases to trial when necessary to get fair compensation because we don’t settle for less than what you deserve.
We understand that a workplace injury isn’t just a medical issue; it’s a financial and emotional one, too. That’s why we maintain constant contact, so you never feel left in the dark about your case.
What You Should Do If You’re Facing a Long Recovery After a Work Injury
If you’ve been hurt on the job in Mississippi and expect to be out of work for weeks or months, here are key steps to protect yourself:
- Report your injury immediately — even if you think it’s minor at first. Waiting can hurt your case.
- Get medical treatment right away and follow all doctor’s orders.
- Keep detailed records of your symptoms, treatment, and how the injury affects your daily life.
- Don’t rely on the insurance company’s advice — their priority is reducing costs, not protecting your rights.
- Talk to a workers’ compensation lawyer before agreeing to any settlement or returning to work.
The sooner you have legal help, the better your chances of securing the full benefits you’re entitled to — especially if your recovery is taking longer than expected.
Don’t Let the Insurance Company Control Your Recovery
Longer recovery times mean more opportunities for insurers to challenge injured workers. Whether you’re new on the job, an experienced employee, or nearing retirement, the financial and physical challenges can be overwhelming without the right legal help.
At Tabor Law Firm, P.A., we fight to make sure Mississippi’s hardest-working people get the medical care, wage replacement, and long-term support they need. If your workplace injury has left you sidelined for weeks or months, don’t let the insurance company decide when you’re ready to return. Let us protect your rights every step of the way.
If you’ve been injured at work in Mississippi, contact Tabor Law Firm, P.A. today for a free consultation. We’ll put in the work to help you get back on your feet.
"...Jonathan Tabor is an extremely smart and caring lawyer for his clients. He is very creative and driven to make the best possible argument for those who have been injured while on the job. If I am ever in need of a workers' compensation attorney, I would consider myself extremely lucky to find Jonathan Tabor." - Todd M., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐