Tampa Back Injury Lawyer
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, over 600,000 employees suffer from back injuries each year. This makes it one of the leading causes for workers’ compensation claims and disability. Left unchecked, a pain in the back region can become chronic and progressively get worse. However, if you seek immediate medical attention and try to avoid the same motions that might have caused the injury in the first place, you could make a full recovery. If you have injured your back while on the job you should let your employer know and begin the workers’ compensation claim process immediately. A qualified Tampa back injury lawyer can help look out for your best interest through this process so that you receive medical benefits and partial wage replacement for any days you have been away from work.
Back Injuries at Work
Back injuries can happen anywhere, but they are common in jobs where there is manual labor or repetitive motions. Examples of environments where an employee may injury their back include:
- Lifting a heavy item;
- Bending or twisting while simultaneously lifting;
- Sitting with poor posture for long periods;
- Driving a truck that has vibration from the machinery on it;
- Prolonged periods in a bent position;
- Motor vehicle accident;
- Trip and fall; and
- More.
What Recovery Looks Like for Back Pain
As American Chiropractic Association mentions, the back is made up of bones, muscles, joints, and ligaments. All of these different structures within the back can become injured in different ways and present symptoms of back pain. It may take several doctor’s appointments and imaging to even determine the root cause of your injury. Rest is often prescribed for back injuries, which will likely require you to take days away from work. The doctors’ appointments and part of your wages should be covered by workers’ compensation. Other outcomes could include physical therapy or surgery if the injury is severe enough and impacting the spinal column.
Why You Need Legal Help
In an ideal world, your employer would understand your injury and either give you time off or provide you with another position that won’t compromise your health. However, not all employers are willing to accommodate medical restrictions and won’t properly notify the insurance company to start the workers’ compensation claim. Once the insurance company is involved, they will often do everything in their power to limit their spending. They may deny important imaging requests to determine what your injury is or prevent you from getting enough physical therapy to heal. An experienced Tampa attorney can work on your behalf so that you receive the help needed to make a full recovery.
Contact A Tampa Workers’ Compensation Attorney About Your Back Injury
Being away from work and injured can be stressful. Back pain can come and go in waves, leaving you optimistic one day and lying on the floor the next. While you focus on what is required to make a full recovery, let the Tampa attorneys at the law offices of Barbas, Nuñez, Sanders, Butler & Hovsepian focus on your workers’ compensation claim. Contact us today at 813-279-2686 to schedule a free consultation.
