Workers in the United States usually face different forms of injuries at work, and one of the most common types is back injuries. If you’ve experienced a back injury at work, you need to understand the steps you need to take to get workers’ compensation.
How do back injuries occur?
If you continually bend forward, it can strain your back and lead to an injury. Repetitive use injuries are often the case for workers who do manual labor, such as construction workers. Other causes of back injuries at work include lifting heavy objects and slips and falls. If you work at a desk, you may not think that you’re at risk for a back injury, but sitting in the same position for long periods can also lead to problems. Last but not least, accidents can also cause back injuries. Some workplaces, such as factories, have a lot of machinery; if something goes wrong, it can cause an accident that leads to a back injury.
What are the symptoms of a back injury?
Back injuries can range from mild to severe, and the symptoms will depend on the severity of the damage. For example, if you strain a muscle in your back, you may only experience some pain and discomfort. However, if you herniate a disc, you may experience severe pain, numbness and tingling. In addition, if you have an injury that affects your spinal cord, it can lead to paralysis.
Sometimes, back injuries don’t cause any symptoms right away. However, if you don’t get treatment for the damage, it can lead to chronic pain down the road.
Seeking compensation
When you experience a back injury, you should seek medical treatment immediately. Once you’ve seen a doctor, you must notify your employer of the injury. Your employer should then give you a workers’ compensation claim form. This form is used to start the workers’ comp process.
You must fill out the workers’ compensation claim form and submit it to your employer. Your employer will send the form to their workers’ compensation insurance company. The insurance company will then contact you to determine whether your claim has been approved or denied.
It’s essential to seek medical attention and notify your employer immediately if you experience a back injury. If your workers’ compensation claim is approved, you will receive benefits to help you cover your medical expenses and lost wages.
