How To Obtain Workers' Compensation Benefits After A Work-Related Herniated Disc Injury
Day-to-day work activities that you may have grown accustomed to can lead to excruciating pain over time. While you might try to tough it out, the pain that you experience might become overwhelming with time and you may not be able to do your job any longer. However, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries through a workers' compensation insurance policy.
How Repetitive Motions Can Lead to Injuries
Repetitive motions can lead to a herniated disc when the disc in your spine slips out of place. This change in your spine can lead to severe pain that cannot be resolved without surgery. There are many professions in which these types of injuries are very common including:
- Construction
- Carpentry
- Mechanics
- Landscaping
If you are an employee, your employer is required to keep workers' compensation insurance, and you should be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and time off of work, regardless of whether you believe you are at fault for your injuries or not. This is because workers' compensation is a no-fault system.
Unfortunately, even if you should be entitled to compensation for your injuries, there are many employers and insurance adjusters who will try to downplay injuries that arise out of repetitive strain. They might also claim that your injuries were not the result of work-related activities.
Work-Related Repetitive Motion Injuries
For injuries that develop over time, it can be difficult to prove that the injuries were specifically the result of something that occurred at work. Therefore, you will need to obtain a professional medical opinion that your injuries are directly related to your job. For example, if you suffered an injury at work, you may be able to present a work injury report that you can connect to the wear and tear that has contributed to your herniated disc.
Fortunately, a workers' compensation attorney will be able to assist you in making the strongest case possible for why you should be eligible for compensation for your injuries. An insurance provider is more likely to treat you fairly because they will know that you understand your rights.
Once you have begun receiving benefits, you may still need help from your attorney to avoid having your benefits later canceled. The insurance adjuster might believe that you are able to return to work, and you may need to appeal a decision made by your insurance provider to cut off your benefits.
