What Injured Workers Need to Know About Peripheral Nerve Stimulators and Workers’ Comp Coverage

For injured workers dealing with chronic pain, especially after shoulder injuries, traditional treatments like medication, injections, or physical therapy may not always be enough. In some cases, pain prevents recovery altogether.

That’s where Peripheral Nerve Stimulators (PNS) can make a meaningful difference. This advanced medical technology is becoming critical in helping workers regain mobility, complete physical therapy, and return to function. But is PNS covered under North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system?

At Ramsay Law Firm, our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys help injured workers in North Carolina fight for access to treatment, including cutting-edge therapies like PNS.

What Are Peripheral Nerve Stimulators and How Do They Help?

Peripheral Nerve Stimulators (PNS) are small, implantable devices designed to help manage pain by sending mild electrical impulses directly to the nerves involved in pain signaling. For injured workers, especially those suffering from frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) or other nerve-related pain conditions, PNS can make physical therapy more tolerable and, in many cases, more effective.

Injury-related pain can prevent the range of motion or consistent participation needed for recovery. PNS helps interrupt pain signals, allowing workers to regain enough function to participate in rehabilitation, rebuild strength, and potentially avoid more invasive procedures like surgery. The device is typically implanted temporarily and can be removed once pain improves and therapy is complete.

Is PNS Treatment Covered Under North Carolina Workers’ Compensation?

The short answer: It can be—but not automatically.

Under North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system, injured workers are entitled to medical treatment that is “reasonably required to effect a cure, give relief, or lessen the period of disability.” If a treating physician recommends Peripheral Nerve Stimulation as part of a recovery plan—and can document its medical necessity—there’s a strong argument that the treatment should be covered.

However, insurance carriers may resist covering PNS due to its cost or because it’s considered less conventional than standard therapies. At Ramsay Law Firm, we know insurers delay or deny authorizations for necessary care, leaving injured workers in pain and unable to progress in their recovery. That’s where legal advocacy becomes essential.

How Ramsay Law Firm Helps Workers Access Advanced Pain Treatments

Getting approval for specialized treatments like PNS often involves building a clear medical case, supported by expert opinions, clinical documentation, and a detailed understanding of how the therapy fits into your recovery.

Our attorneys work closely with your doctors, physical therapists, and pain specialists to:

• Present strong evidence of the medical necessity of PNS.
• Challenge insurance denials or delays in care.
• Ensure compliance with North Carolina’s workers’ comp regulations.
• Advocate for full pain management, therapy, and long-term care access.

We don’t just fight for basic treatment—we fight for effective and lasting solutions that help you heal and move forward with your life.

You Deserve the Right to Heal—Let Ramsay Law Firm Help

If you’ve been injured at work and your pain is preventing recovery, you may be a candidate for advanced therapies like Peripheral Nerve Stimulation. Don’t let insurance companies decide what level of care you can receive.

Contact our Mecklenburg County workers’ compensation attorneys at Ramsay Law Firm at 704-376-1616 or online for a free consultation today. We’re here to help you fight for the care you need and the future you deserve.

A Voice For The Injured.  Here Every Step of The Way.