There are many ways for people to hurt their backs on the job. Many people suffer overexertion injuries. They attempt to lift far more than they should or twist while lifting, causing immediate and significant functional limitations.
Other people hurt their backs through repetitive job functions. The constant need to lift, carry or twist while working can cause repetitive strain injuries that eventually affect functional capabilities. Regardless of whether a worker has back pain that slowly develops and worsens or a sudden-onset injury caused by a specific incident, they may try to work through their pain. Doing so can be a major mistake. What are the risks that workers face if they don’t notify their employers of a back injury and seek workers’ compensation benefits?
Exhausting alternative means of support
Injured employees and those dealing with repetitive job strain sometimes try to delay or avoid workers’ compensation claims. They use other employment benefits to address their work injuries. They may rely on health insurance for treatment expenses or paid leave to take time off when the pain is too much.
These choices may seem clever but leave workers with limited paid leave and responsible for major expenses in the form of coinsurance, copays and deductibles. They may only start considering workers’ compensation benefits when they have completely exhausted other options.
Declining job performance
Even the most driven professional typically has to make attendance and performance sacrifices when dealing with chronic or worsening back pain. Employees who have filed workers’ compensation claims can expect accommodations and support from their employers.
Workers who try to avoid filing benefits claims may face scrutiny and negative performance reviews for their efforts. Employers may blame them for slowing down on the production line or taking numerous days off to address their symptoms. The worker is also at risk of worsening their condition by trying to continue working despite their pain.
Workers’ compensation claims result in not just benefits but also protection from retaliation when workers need time away from work or medical accommodations. Back injuries rarely heal on their own unless employees receive care and adequate rest. They may also need to modify their job functions to prevent the injury from flaring up again in the future.
With a repetitive type back injury suffered at work, giving notice to the employer as soon as the worker becomes aware of the problem is paramount. And if the employer will not send the injured worker to the doctor, you need to let the medical provider know in no uncertain terms that the condition complained of happened on the job.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim over job-related back injuries can help professionals recover physically and mitigate direct expenses. Back injuries related to work can be costly and debilitating. Workers typically need to report them if they want to push for the best possible outcome, including their optimal physical recovery.