A back injury is one of the most debilitating injuries that workers suffer. Serious back pain can leave you unable to perform your job. When pain becomes severe, even getting out of bed can be near impossible. If you suffered a back injury at work, you might be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for your medical treatment, rehabilitation, and missed time from work.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim can quickly turn into a complex, time-consuming task. The Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., can help take the burden off you by managing all the details of your claim from start to finish, including fighting for you if your claim was denied. Our legal team has the skills to stand up to big employers and insurance companies that want to minimize your benefits and maximize their profits.
Reach out to our Georgia workers’ compensation lawyers today for a free initial case review. We will explain your legal rights and help you demand the full benefits you’re owed after a back injury at work in Albany.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Back Injuries
If you’ve suffered a work-related back injury, you might be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to help you recover. Benefits available under Georgia’s workers’ compensation law can include:
- Coverage for all reasonable and necessary medical expenses to treat your back injury
- Partial wage replacement if you missed work due to your injury
- Vocational rehabilitation, which can train you for other work within your physical abilities if your back injury renders you unable to return to your old job
- Permanent disability payments if you suffer a permanent loss of working ability
Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Help with All Types of Back Injury Claims
At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., our Albany workers’ compensation attorneys have the experience to help you with any type of back injury claim, including:
- Acute back pain – Accidents or other sudden trauma that damages muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves can cause acute back pain.
- Chronic back pain – Chronic back pain lasts for a period of at least 12 weeks following an injury or the onset of acute back pain.
- Herniated disc – A herniated disc injury involves the soft, spongy inner tissue of a spinal disc bulging or pushing through a crack or tear in the disc’s outer covering. A herniated disc can put pressure on the spinal column and nerve bundles radiating from the spine, often causing significant or debilitating pain in the arms or legs.
- Back sprains and strains – Injured ligaments in the back characterize back sprains, while back strain refers to injured tendons and muscles.
- Spinal cord injuries – Spinal cord injuries usually result in lost sensation and motor function in the parts of the body below the level of the injury. They can be incomplete, meaning a person retains some feeling and function, or complete, which involves the complete loss of function and sensation.
- Broken vertebrate – Fractured vertebrae can cause the spinal column to collapse, leading to severe pain, deformity of the spine, and partial or total paralysis.
Common Causes of Back Injuries at Work
Some of the most common causes of back injuries in the workplace include:
- Lifting – Lifting heavy objects can cause back injuries as this may place excessive strain on the back’s tendons and ligaments.
- Twisting – Twisting the back or torso, especially quickly or violently, can overstretch or tear ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the back. This damage usually leads to inflammation, which can cause further pain and stiffness.
- Pushing – Pushing a heavy object puts pressure on the spine and can damage the spinal discs.
- Pulling – Pulling motions can overstress back muscles, leading to a strain.
- Repetitive movements – Repetitive motions over a long enough period can stress and weaken the back and spine, increasing the risk of injury and causing degeneration of the tissues.
What to Do If You Suffered a Back Injury in the Workplace
If you hurt your back at work, take the following steps to protect your right to workers’ compensation benefits:
- Notify your employer of your injury as soon as possible. Georgia law gives you up to 30 days to report a work injury to your employer. After 30 days, you risk being declared ineligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
- Document the incident. If possible, take photos of the scene of your back injury, including whatever caused your injury, any safety equipment or warning signs, lighting conditions, and weather conditions (if relevant). Also write down the names and contact information for any witnesses to what happened.
- See a doctor as soon as possible. You have the right to seek emergency treatment from any provider. But if you need non-emergency treatment, your employer has the right to require you to choose a provider from an approved list in order for treatment to be covered by workers’ comp.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment instructions and recommendations. Staying on top of your treatment is critical to avoid further injury or permanent disability. You also want to show that you are taking your treatment and recovery seriously as you pursue a workers’ compensation claim.
- Get the rest you need. If you miss time from work due to a back injury, avoid physical activities, such as sports, home maintenance, work, and recreational travel. Insurance companies monitor injured workers’ social media accounts and hire investigators to find evidence they can use to argue that workers lied about their injury.
Finally, contact an Albany workers’ compensation attorney immediately to discuss your options. Unfortunately, you can’t trust your employer or an insurance company to do what’s best for you. An attorney from our firm will help you pursue the full compensation you need to recover.
Talk to an Albany Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Now
If you have suffered a back injury at work, learn about your right to workers’ compensation benefits to help pay for the treatment you need. Contact the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., today for a free consultation. An Albany workers’ compensation lawyer from our firm can review your claim and walk you through what to expect. We do not charge any fees to begin work on your case, and you only pay us if we secure benefits for you.
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