May 25, 2020
Can I Get Workers’ Compensation for a Back Injury?
Back injuries and back pain are some of the most common work-related injuries across the United States. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), some 600,000 Americans sustain back injuries every year, costing as much as $50 billion in total. Back injuries can be debilitating, requiring extensive medical treatment and preventing workers from returning to their jobs for weeks or months at a time. The cost of a back injury—in terms of medical expenses and lost wages—can be exorbitant, putting injured workers and their families under a great deal of financial stress.
If you sustained a back injury at work or while carrying out work-related duties or services, you can seek workers’ compensation as long as you are an eligible employee in the state of Georgia. Continue reading to learn more about workers’ compensation eligibility, as well as what benefits you could receive for your back injury. You can also contact the Law Offices of Nathaniel F. Hansford, LLC directly for a free initial consultation regarding your case.
Common Work-Related Back Injuries & Their Causes
Hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer back injuries and pain every year. In many cases, these injuries result from on-the-job accidents or due to repetitive motions, overuse, and other work-related duties.
Some of the most common work-related back injuries include:
- Overexertion/strain injuries
- Lower back strains and sprains
- Pinched nerves
- Vertebral fractures
- Herniated or slipped discs
- Degenerative disease
These and other work-related back injuries can have a wide variety of causes.
They are often caused by:
- Lifting or moving heavy objects
- Extended periods of sitting or standing
- Improper loading/unloading of cargo
- Commercial motor vehicle accidents
- Defective equipment
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Falls from heights
- Repetitive twisting, reaching, or bending motions
- Degenerative wear and tear
Regardless of the type of back injury you have sustained, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation if you are a covered employee and your injury is related to your work. However, proving that your injury is, in fact, work-related, is one of the most difficult aspect of filing a workers’ compensation claim for a back injury.
Pre-Existing Conditions vs. Work-Related Injuries
Aside from traumatic injuries, such as a fractured spine caused by a commercial vehicle collision, proving that a back injury is work-related and not a pre-existing condition can be very difficult. However, this is one of the key aspects of a successful workers’ compensation claim.
It is very important that you provide details regarding the circumstances around your work-related back injury, particularly if you have a pre-existing condition. It is also important that you do not attempt to hide the fact that you have a pre-existing condition; this could ultimately hurt your claim. Instead, be upfront and honest with your doctor. Make sure they know that your injury is work-related and provide details regarding your symptoms and whether or not you were experiencing any pain prior to the injury.
Often, insurance companies will attempt to use the existence of a pre-existing condition to deny workers’ compensation claims for back injuries. This is a common tactic, and one that our workers’ compensation lawyers know how to fight back on. We encourage you to reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help you if your claim has been denied on the basis of a pre-existing condition or any other reason.
Call the Law Offices of Nathaniel F. Hansford, LLC at (770) 741-2825 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
