The second most common workplace injury are back injuries. If you have sustained a back injury due to working conditions, you might be eligible for worker’s compensation as a result. A workers comp lawyer can provide you with legal advice specific to your unique circumstances, but the following information may be helpful to you.
What kinds of back injuries are common in workplaces?
As a chiropractor Rockville MD trusts can attest, common workplace injuries include:
- Lower back strain
- Spinal cord damage
- Fractured vertebrae
- Herniated disc
- Pinched nerve
Workers Compensation Benefits
A back injury caused by your job can qualify you to receive workers compensation benefits. Such benefits can aid you by paying for:
- Physical therapy
- Two-thirds of your wages lost due to inability to work or to work full time
- Medical treatments or surgery
- Out-of-pocket costs related to your injury
- Medications prescribed for your back injury
Workers Compensation Claims
If you have not already reported your back injury to your employer, do so immediately. The process for filing a workers compensation claim begins when you notify them of your injury. The claim form itself will require you to report the circumstances of sustaining the injury including when and where it occurred.
Treatment for Your Lower Back Injury
Often, a workers compensation program requires that you see an approved physician for treatment. After an exam and evaluation, the physician will recommend treatment. If a specialist is necessary, you will be approved for treatment by that specialist. Only after you have recovered as much as the doctor believes is possible will you be allowed to return to work.
Back Injuries and Disability
Your physician may diagnose your back injury as a disability. If this is the case, it will fall into one of these categories:
- Temporary and partial disability. After you have recovered and have regained full ability, your physician will approve you to return to work.
- Permanent and partial disability. If, because you are not able to fully recover, you cannot return to your previous job, your employer may have to reassign you to a job that you can physically perform. If this is not possible, you may have to seek employment elsewhere. Consult a workers compensation attorney if this is the situation.
- Permanent and total disability. If your workplace injury is severe enough that the damage is permanent and total and as a result you are unable to work, you should contact a workers compensation attorney immediately. Workplace injury victims in this circumstances face expensive medical treatment costs on top of an inability to work. In addition, they may be forced to make substantial home renovations. For instance, they may have to modify their house to accommodate wheelchair access. An attorney may be able to secure far more compensation from the employer than workers compensation allows.
If you have sustained a lower back injury at work, it’s important to know that you have legal recourse. Do not delay in seeking the help of a workers compensation attorney if you need assistance.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Pain & Arthritis Relief Center for their insight into common workplace back injuries.
The legal firm of Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. has successfully represented many workplace injury cases. Our attorneys are here to help. Contact Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. today for a free initial consultation.