If you were injured on the job in Nebraska, you have rights—and you deserve an attorney who will fight to protect them.
At Johnson Tabor & Johnson, our workers' compensation lawyers have spent years standing up for injured workers throughout Nebraska, from Omaha and Lincoln to Grand Island, Kearney, Norfolk, Columbus, North Platte, Sidney, and Scottsbluff. We know how Nebraska's workers' compensation system works, we know the tactics insurance companies use to deny legitimate claims, and we know how to beat them.
Workers' compensation claims can be more complicated than they appear. Insurers have teams of lawyers and adjusters whose job is to minimize what they pay you. Ours is to make sure you get every dollar you're entitled to.
How Nebraska Workers' Compensation Works
Nebraska Workers' Compensation Law, administered by the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court, requires most employers to carry insurance that covers employees who are injured on the job. If you're hurt at work, you may be entitled to:
Medical Benefits
Coverage for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your injury.
Temporary Disability Benefits
Wage replacement while you are unable to work due to your injury.
Permanent Disability Benefits
Compensation if your injury results in a lasting impairment.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Job retraining if you are unable to return to your previous occupation.
Mileage Reimbursement
Compensation for travel to and from medical appointments.
Understanding what you're owed is the first step. Getting it is where we come in.
Acute Injuries
An acute injury results from a single, identifiable traumatic event at work—a fall from a ladder, a back injury from lifting, or being struck by equipment on a job site. Common acute workplace injuries include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Muscle, ligament, or tendon tears
- Head and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Hernias
- Lacerations and crush injuries
- Burn injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Acute injuries are often the most straightforward workers' compensation claims—but insurance companies still find ways to deny or undervalue them. They may argue the injury didn't happen at work, that it was pre-existing, or that it isn't as serious as your doctor says. We push back on all of it.
Cumulative & Repetitive Stress Injuries
Not every workplace injury happens in a single moment. Many of the most serious and debilitating injuries develop gradually over months or years of performing the same physical tasks day after day. Nebraska Workers' Compensation Law covers these injuries—but insurers routinely deny them.
Cumulative and repetitive stress injuries we handle include:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Common among workers who spend hours typing, using tools, or performing repetitive hand and wrist movements.
Tendinitis & Tenosynovitis
Inflammation of tendons from overuse, common in construction, manufacturing, and healthcare workers.
Bursitis
Painful inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints, often affecting knees, hips, and shoulders.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Caused by repetitive arm and wrist motions.
Chronic Back Pain
Frequently seen in workers who spend long hours bending, lifting, or sitting.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Shoulder injuries common among workers who perform overhead tasks.
Preexisting Conditions
One of the most common reasons Nebraska workers' compensation claims are denied is a preexisting condition. The insurance company argues that your injury isn't their problem because you already had a prior condition.
That argument is often wrong—and we fight it every day.
Under Nebraska law, you are entitled to workers' compensation benefits if a work injury aggravated, accelerated, or combined with a preexisting condition to produce your current disability. In other words, the fact that you had degenerative disc disease, a prior knee injury, or a history of shoulder problems does not automatically disqualify you from benefits.
Example
You've had some mild back pain for years but managed to work without issue. While unloading materials at work, you feel a sharp pain in your back. An MRI reveals a herniated disc that aggravated your preexisting degenerative disc disease. Under Nebraska law, you likely have a valid workers' compensation claim—even though the underlying condition existed before the workplace incident.
If your claim has been denied because of a preexisting condition, contact us immediately. These cases require skilled legal advocacy, and we have the experience to win them.
Occupational Diseases & Other Work-Related Conditions
Nebraska workers' compensation doesn't just cover accidents and injuries—it also covers illnesses and conditions that develop as a direct result of your work environment or occupation. These include:
Occupational Diseases
Illnesses caused by prolonged exposure to harmful substances or conditions in the workplace.
Hearing Loss
Gradual hearing loss from long-term exposure to loud machinery or industrial noise.
Toxic & Chemical Exposure
Injuries or illnesses from exposure to hazardous chemicals, fumes, or materials.
Respiratory Conditions
Lung diseases like occupational asthma or silicosis caused by workplace dust or chemical exposure.
These claims can be among the most complex in workers' compensation law because it can be difficult to establish a direct link between your condition and your workplace. Our attorneys have experience building the medical and legal case necessary to prove causation and win these claims.
Why Workers' Compensation Claims Get Denied in Nebraska
If your workers' compensation claim has been denied, you are not alone—and you are not out of options. Insurance companies deny valid claims every day. Common reasons include:
Reporting Delays
You didn't report the injury to your employer immediately—we can often overcome this.
Disputed Causation
The insurer argues your injury wasn't caused by your job.
Preexisting Conditions
Insurers use prior conditions as a reason to deny claims—even when the law is on your side.
IME Disagreements
The insurance company's doctor disagrees with your treating physician.
Missed Deadlines
Nebraska has strict statutes of limitations for filing workers' compensation claims.
A denial is not the end of the road. The Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court exists specifically to resolve these disputes—and having an experienced attorney by your side dramatically improves your chances of success.
The Nebraska Workers' Compensation Process
Understanding the process can help reduce your stress and help you make better decisions about your claim:
Report Your Injury
Notify your employer as soon as possible. Nebraska law requires you to report your injury within a reasonable time.
Seek Medical Treatment
Your employer or their insurer has the right to direct your medical care in Nebraska. Attend all appointments and follow your doctor's instructions.
File a Claim
A formal claim is filed with the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court if your claim is disputed or denied.
Negotiation or Hearing
Many cases settle through negotiation. If not, your case goes before a Workers' Compensation Court judge.
Award or Settlement
You receive your benefits either through a settlement agreement or a court award.
Serving Injured Workers Across Nebraska
Johnson Tabor & Johnson represents injured workers throughout the state of Nebraska, including:
- Omaha and surrounding metro—Bellevue, Papillion, Elkhorn, Millard, La Vista
- Lincoln and Lancaster County
- Grand Island and Hall County
- Kearney and Buffalo County
- Norfolk and Madison County
- Columbus and Platte County
- North Platte and Lincoln County
- Scottsbluff and the Panhandle
- Sidney and Cheyenne County
Plus all surrounding communities across Nebraska and western Iowa. No matter where you live or work in Nebraska, our attorneys are ready to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Workers' Compensation
Contact Our Nebraska Workers' Compensation Attorneys Today
You shouldn't have to fight the insurance company alone. Whether you're in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Kearney, Norfolk, Columbus, North Platte, Scottsbluff, or anywhere else in Nebraska—we're here to help.
There's no fee unless we win.