Gilroy, CA Workplace Back and Spine Injury Lawyers

Workers' Compensation Attorneys for Employees With Back and Spinal Cord Injuries in Santa Clara County

Back injuries are some of the most common injuries that employees may experience at work, and they often come with lasting pain, physical limitations, and the need for significant medical care. If your work has caused or contributed to a back or spine injury, you can look for assistance from your employer through the workers' compensation benefits required under California law.

At Cramer & Martinez, LLP, we have over 20 years of combined legal experience representing clients with all types of work-related injuries. We will guide you through the process of filing a workers' compensation claim and work to ensure that you receive all available benefits for your back or spinal cord injury, providing you with financial relief and the opportunity to recover as much as possible.

Common Causes of Work-Related Back and Spine Injuries

Employees can injure their backs at work under a wide range of circumstances. For example, physical labor like the lifting of heavy objects and repetitive extending, compressing, or twisting of the back can create strain on both the spine and back muscles. Prolonged periods of standing or sitting at a desk can also lead to chronic back pain. More severe, catastrophic back and spinal cord injuries are possible in accidents involving falls from scaffolding and other high places, vehicle collisions, and heavy equipment or machinery.

As long as your back injury is work-related, you are eligible for workers' compensation benefits no matter who or what caused it. Additionally, your eligibility for benefits applies to one-time, immediate injuries, repetitive stress injuries that develop over time, and pre-existing back injuries that are aggravated due to your work.

Types of Workplace Back Injuries

Some types of back injuries that you may suffer in the course of your work include:

• Muscle injuries: Lumbar, or lower back, muscle pain is common amongoffice workersand other employees who sit or stand for long periods of time, while muscle pulls and tears are common in more physically demanding occupations.
• Ligament injuries: Sprains and tears in the ligaments surrounding the spine are more often the result of a sudden occurrence, such as high-intensity physical exertion or a forceful impact from a fall or collision.
• Disk injuries: A bulging disk in the spine can develop due to pressure on your back over time. A herniated or ruptured disk can occur when an already weakened disk is damaged due to physical activity or a forceful impact.
• Fractured vertebrae: Fractured vertebrae are possible if you have experienced severe physical trauma, such as in a fall or a work-related car accident.
• Spinal cord injuries: The most serious type of back injury involves damage to the spinal cord. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, it may result in total or partial paralysis below the waist or neck.

Workers' Compensation Benefits for Employees With Back Injuries

If your back or spine is injured because of your work, you should notify your employer as soon as possible to start the process of filing your claim for workers' compensation. If your claim is accepted, your employer will cover the cost of all reasonable medical care to treat your injuries. This can include, emergency care, hospital and ambulance bills, surgery, medication, massage, and chiropractic care, physical therapy, and other expenses.

Many back injuries require an extended recovery period that may prevent you from returning to work for a time, or from performing all of your previous work tasks. In this case, you may be eligible for temporary total or partial disability benefits that cover two-thirds of your lost wages. If the effects of your injury are permanent, such as in the case of paralysis, you may also be entitled to permanent disability benefits based on the degree to which your work abilities are limited.

Contact a Morgan Hill Back and Spinal Injury Lawyer

If you are dealing with a work-related back injury, do not hesitate to notify your employer or reach out to a workers' compensation attorney for assistance. We offer a free consultation when you contact us at 408-848-1113, and we serve clients in and around Santa Clara County, including Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and San Jose, Hollister and San Benito County, Salinas and Monterey County, Watsonville and Santa Cruz County, and Los Banos and Merced County.