What Types of Back Injuries Qualify for Workers’ Compensation?

 Posted on June 07, 2021 in Workers' Compensation

There are multiple types of injuries that a person may suffer in the workplace or because of the work they have performed. Back injuries can be very painful, and they can limit a person’s movements and their ability to bend over and lift objects, affecting the work they can perform. Because of this, workers who suffer back injuries will want to determine whether they can receive workers’ compensation.

Common Types of Back Injuries

An injury may affect a person’s backbone and spinal cord, or they may experience injuries to the muscles and ligaments in the back. These injuries may include:

• Strains and sprains - Back muscles and ligaments may be injured because a person attempted to lift an object that was too heavy, because they twisted their back into an unnatural position, or due to ongoing strain to the back muscles. In many cases, these injuries require a person to rest and refrain from strenuous activities for several days. A person may also need to take anti-inflammatory medications.

• Herniated discs - The discs that serve as cushions between the vertebrae in the spine may be damaged due to work-related activities. If discs bulge or rupture, this can pinch the nerves in the spine, resulting in pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in muscles throughout the body. Surgery may be needed to repair the damage, and physical therapy may be required to allow a person to regain the full use of the parts of the body that were affected.

• Spine fractures - An accident such as a fall, being struck by an object, or a motor vehicle collision may cause the vertebrae in the spine to break. This can damage the spinal cord, leading to partial or complete paralysis in the parts of the body below the level of the injury. While surgery or other treatments may be available, in many cases, damage to the spinal cord is irreversible, and it can lead to permanent disabilities.

• Degenerative disc disease - The discs in the spine can deteriorate over time, damaging the nerves and leading to intense pain and weakness in the back. Treatments such as medications, injections, and physical therapy may help a person recover from this type of condition.

A person who suffers a back injury may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if the injury occurred while they were working or arose out of the work they performed. Workplace accidents or injuries that occurred when a person lifted items or moved their back while working will usually qualify for workers’ comp. Repetitive stress injuries that resulted from work-related activities over a long period of time will also qualify for benefits, as long as the worker can prove that the injuries were caused by the work they performed.

Contact Our Santa Clara County Work-Related Back Injury Attorneys

If you have experienced a back injury either at work or because of work-related activities, Cramer & Martinez, LLP can help you file a workers’ compensation claim and receive benefits. We will work to ensure that your medical treatment will be fully covered and that you are compensated for any temporary or permanent disabilities you have experienced. Contact our Gilroy workers’ comp lawyers at 408-848-1113 to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Sources:

https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/wcfaqiw.html

https://www.stelizabeth.com/medical-services/spine-care/back-injury-types-symptoms-and-treatments

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266630