Thoracic Spine Injuries and Paraplegia in California Workers’ Compensation (2025 Guide)
Many injured workers don’t realize how serious their back injury is—until it’s too late.
Thoracic spine injuries, which affect the middle portion of the back, can lead to chronic pain, nerve damage, and in severe cases, paraplegia (paralysis of the legs). These injuries often develop over time from repetitive strain or occur suddenly in a serious accident.
Under California Workers’ Compensation law, thoracic spine injuries—whether caused by a single event or cumulative trauma—are fully covered. That means you may be entitled to medical treatment, disability payments, and even long-term support.
Let’s break down how these injuries happen, what benefits you’re entitled to, and how the QME process works if your case involves spinal cord trauma.
What Is the Thoracic Spine?
The thoracic spine is the central portion of your back, consisting of 12 vertebrae (T1–T12). These bones are connected to your ribs and help protect your heart and lungs. While the thoracic region is more stable than the neck or lower back, an injury here can have devastating consequences—especially if it involves the spinal cord.
How Do Thoracic Spine Injuries Happen at Work?
You don’t have to fall off a ladder to injure your thoracic spine.
Many injuries occur gradually over time due to repetitive lifting, twisting, poor posture, or prolonged driving. These are called cumulative trauma injuries, and they’re fully compensable under Labor Code §3208.1.
Other thoracic injuries result from high-impact trauma, such as:
Falls from elevation (roofing, scaffolding)
Motor vehicle accidents (delivery drivers, construction zones)
Being struck by heavy objects or machinery
Common Thoracic Spine Diagnoses in Workers’ Comp Cases
✅ Thoracic Herniated Disc
Caused by repetitive strain or sudden impact. May compress the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
✅ Thoracic Fractures
Often seen in falls or crush injuries. Can lead to instability or paralysis depending on the level and severity.
✅ Thoracic Myelopathy
Compression of the spinal cord in the thoracic region. May cause difficulty walking, bowel/bladder issues, and loss of coordination.
✅ Radiculopathy
Nerve impingement in the mid-back can cause pain wrapping around the ribs or down the torso.
✅ Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
If the spinal cord is injured at the thoracic level, it may result in paraplegia—loss of movement and sensation in both legs.
Can Thoracic Injuries Be Cumulative?
Yes. Thoracic injuries are often the result of repetitive lifting, driving, or poor ergonomics over months or years. These cumulative trauma injuries can affect:
Warehouse workers loading and unloading heavy boxes
Healthcare workers lifting patients
Long-haul drivers spending hours in a seated position with poor posture
Laborers and tradespeople who twist, bend, and lift repetitively
Many clients come to us after they’ve been diagnosed with a mid-back herniated disc or nerve compression—only to realize it’s directly tied to their years on the job.
What Benefits Can You Get for a Thoracic Spine Injury?
If your injury is work-related, you're entitled to full workers’ compensation benefits in California:
🏥 Medical Treatment
All care “reasonably required to cure or relieve” your injury—paid 100% by the insurance company.
💸 Temporary Disability Benefits
If you’re off work while recovering, you’re entitled to 2/3 of your average weekly wages, tax-free.
♿ Permanent Disability Benefits
If your injury leads to long-term damage—especially if it affects your walking or nerve function—you may qualify for ongoing compensation based on impairment ratings.
🎓 Job Training Voucher
If you can’t return to your old job, you may qualify for a $6,000 Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher, plus an additional $5,000 return-to-work benefit.
What If I’m Diagnosed with Paraplegia?
Paraplegia is a life-changing diagnosis—and it demands serious legal strategy.
Whether caused by a sudden accident or cumulative spinal cord trauma, paraplegia entitles you to the maximum level of medical care and lifetime benefits.
We work to:
Prove work causation—even if the injury happened gradually
Maximize your impairment rating under the AMA Guides
Fight for home health care, modifications, and future medical awards
Challenge lowball offers from insurance companies who try to undervalue paralysis cases
What Happens If the Insurance Company Disputes My Case?
If your case is denied or the insurance company disputes your injury, you’ll likely go through the QME process—where a Qualified Medical Evaluator reviews your records and examines you.
We help you:
Prepare for your QME exam
Provide documentation and timelines that support your claim
Challenge bad QME reports through rebuttal reports or AMEs if needed
In spinal cases—especially those involving paralysis—it’s critical to have an attorney who understands the rating system and knows how to work with experts.
We Know the System—Because We Used to Defend It.
At Lee Partners Law, we spent years defending workers’ comp insurance carriers. Now, we use that insider knowledge to fight for people like you.
We know how to:
Prove complex thoracic and spinal injuries
Win cumulative trauma cases—even after terminations or delayed symptoms
Maximize your benefits and protect your medical care
We’ve helped clients with serious spinal injuries across Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange County, San Bernardino, and San Diego. And we’re ready to help you.
📞 Call (310) 295-0822 for a Free Consultation
Let’s find out if your mid-back pain, nerve damage, or even paraplegia is work-related—and what you’re entitled to under the law.