If you have suffered back pain due to a work-related injury, you may be eligible for benefits from workers’ compensation. The first step in filing a claim is to report your injury. Reporting your injury to your employer should be completed as completely and accurately as possible. Include details about the accident that lead to the injury.
Work-related Back Injuries
If you’re unable to work because of a workplace back injury, you may be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits. The duration of benefits depends on the severity of your back injury. For example, benefits could last many years if you’re completely disabled. Over time, you can receive these benefits through a lump sum settlement or installment payments. A lump sum settlement is sometimes known as a Compromise and Release.
In addition to medical care, workers’ compensation benefits may cover lost wages due to back injuries. To receive these benefits, you must notify your supervisor about the injury and file a claim within certain timeframes. In 2016, over 600,000 American workers suffered a back injury. According to the U.OSHA, back injuries accounted for 38.5 percent of all work-related musculoskeletal injuries.
Although work-related back injuries rarely lead to fatalities, they cause considerable pain and productivity loss to employees and businesses. An estimated 50 billion dollars are spent yearly on back injuries, and costs continue to rise as the workforce grows older. For this reason, getting the medical attention you need to recover from a back injury is imperative.
Pre-existing Conditions
If you want workers’ compensation benefits for back pain, you should understand that pre-existing conditions can affect your claim. The workers’ compensation insurance carrier will look at the circumstances surrounding your injury and any other pre-existing conditions you may have. Some examples include degenerative discs in the back and a decline in the knee cartilage. If these conditions predate your injury, you may have to wait longer to receive your benefits.
The key to winning workers’ compensation benefits for back pain is to prove that the condition was caused by work. If a pre-existing condition caused your back pain, you could show that your job aggravated the injury. You should provide prescriptions, treatment plans, and documentation to prove the connection between your pre-existing conditions and the injury.
Pre-existing conditions can be tricky to prove. The best way to prove that you are suffering from a pre-existing condition is to get a doctor’s note stating that it was aggravated by the work-related accident. Additionally, it is important to note that you can seek medical advice from a doctor of your choice.
Negotiating a Workers’ Compensation Settlement
A workers’ compensation settlement may be an option if you’re dealing with back pain and workplace injury. But there are some important things to remember before signing a settlement agreement. First, be careful not to settle too soon. This can have negative consequences on your future health. For example, you may not be able to get additional medical treatment, and a poor settlement amount will affect your finances in the future.
You can ensure you’re getting the right amount of compensation by hiring a workers’ compensation attorney. These professionals can contact the insurance company’s claims representative and present a demand letter. Even if the negotiations begin informally, your attorney will present this demand letter to the insurance company.
The goal of negotiating a workers’ compensation settlement is to get a lump sum settlement that will be sufficient to cover your medical bills and enable you to return to work. However, a worker’s compensation settlement can’t be used for future surgeries. Therefore, hiring a lawyer specializing in back pain cases is important to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.
Hiring a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer for your back pain claims is a crucial step in the workers’ compensation process. This type of injury is usually highly subjective and requires a lawyer’s attention and expertise to make the case successful. In addition, a back injury can result in a significant decrease in your earning capacity or even permanent disability.
Hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer is also a good way to protect yourself if your claim is rejected or if you are being retaliated against. Your workers’ compensation lawyer will protect your rights and help you measure the value of your claim. They will also guide you through the claims process.
Although workers’ compensation was meant to provide prompt compensation for injured workers, it does not always work this way. Many insurance companies have teams of highly-trained lawyers to fight workers’ compensation claims. Hiring an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can tip the scales in your favor and help you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.