“Help! I injured my back at work. What are my rights?”
You need the best Athens workers’ compensation attorney.
Did you know that the spine is made up of more than 30 bones? Each day, hundreds of Athens residents are treated for back pain, while dozens more injure their backs while on the job for the first time. While their injuries may have been sustained in different ways and their treatments may vary, all feel the same pain eminating throughout their body.
Athens area doctors and chiropractic practices are often kept busy by injured workers who are looking for relief from their debilitating pain without the use of drugs or surgery. But sometimes the back injury is so severe that surgery is necessary.
If you hurt your back at work, then you need an experienced Athens work injury attorney who can help you navigate Georgia’s complicated workers’ compensation law and fight to ensure you get the benefits you deserve. Contact Gerber & Holder Workers’ Compensation Attorneys.
Don’t take your employer at their word if they say your workplace injury isn’t covered.
Contact us today for your free consultation.
337 South Milledge Ave, Ste. 209-7
Athens, GA 30605
9:00am – 5:00pm (M-F)
Closed Saturday & Sunday
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Top causes of back injuries in the workplace
There are many reasons why an Athens resident can hurt their back while on the job. For instance, a person’s back can be injured when they use their back muscles in an activity they don’t do very often, such as heavy lifting or doing repetitive work. The most common causes of back injuries in the workplace include:
- Car or truck crash
- Trip and fall
- Improper lifting technique
- Fall from a significant height
- Direct blow to the back or top of head
- Injury to ligaments or muscles in back
- Severe fall and landing on the buttocks
- Sitting for long periods of time
- Excessive twisting of the spine
- Fractured vertebrae
- Fracture/dislocation of spinal cord
- Ruptured/torn disc (which can herniate)
Common types of work-related back injuries
Back injuries can be sustained in a variety of ways, from lifting something heavy the wrong way to slipping and falling on a slick surface. The pain that can wrack the back can come in the form of:
- Bulging disc
- Arthritis
- Herniated disc
- Degenerative disc disease
- Muscle spasms
- Hip pain
- Neck pain
- Pinched nerves
- Pelvis pain (during pregnancy)
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Whiplash
What to do after an on-the-job back injury
When it comes to back pain, getting treatment is key. Don’t let the pain rule your life! If you have ongoing back pain that’s getting worse, pain that lasts longer than 4 to 6 weeks, pain that wakes you from a deep sleep at night, pain that is felt in both the back and abdomen, or pain that doesn’t go away or improve after several days of typical remedies like ice, heat, rest or using Tylenol or IBuprofen, then you need to see a doctor.
After, notify your employer immediately about your condition. Next, contact a local workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible so that they can start building your case and advise you on what to do next.
Frequently asked questions about back injuries at work
What should I do if I think I have a back injury?
The first thing you should do if you think you’ve injured your back at work is to seek medical help right away. Seeing a nurse or doctor should be paramount, but notifying your supervisor or manager should also be done as soon as possible. Don’t wait to get a medical examination until you’re suffering from serious pain. Taking action now could ease years of recurring back pain.
What is causing my back pain?
Often, lower back pain is due to normal wear and tear that happens to the discs, joints and bones of the spine. As people age, strains and sprains will hurt for longer periods and take longer to heal. The list of what could be causing your back pain is lengthy and can range from intervertebral disc degeneration to spinal stenosis—or even an infection that’s wreaking havoc on your joints.
What can I do to help prevent my back pain from getting worse?
First, you must cease any activities and movements that aggravate the pain. Give your back a temporary break from the motions that are causing the pain. One of the most important things you can do to help your back and prevent more painful episodes is to stretch, exercise (or at least get up and move around more often) and maintain proper posture.
It’s also a good idea to consider if your bed is causing you back pain, and perhaps switch it out.
Lastly, if you’re a smoker, it’s time to quit. Nicotine restricts the amount of oxygen your blood can carry to the inflamed muscles, which means a longer recovery time from the injury.
What are my options for treatment?
There are many non-surgical options to treat chronic back pain. As previously mentioned, exercise is one good option, as well as physical therapy, which can include retraining your posture, stretches, flexibility exercises, aerobics and core strengthening. A professional can also analyze your diet as some foods may further inflame your back problems.
Sometimes, it’s necessary for a person to accept their limitations and adapt to life knowing certain actions will worsen their back pain. But, if all else fails, it’s possible you may find relief with surgery. Talk to your doctor extensively before venturing down this path.
Where in Athens, GA can I receive treatment for a back injury?
There are several Athens-based clinics and treatment centers that may be able to help you. Some top rated local facilities include Athens Spine, Family Chiropractic of Athens and St. Mary’s of Athens. Of course, your personal physician may have somewhere else in mind for treatment, so be sure to follow their recommendations.
workers’ comp claim is denied
There are many reasons why your workers’ comp claim can be denied. Whatever reason the insurance company or your employer gave you, there’s one common theme behind all denied workers’ comp claims: a failure to effectively present the facts and understand your rights.
Client success
Our record of winning accident cases in Georgia speaks for itself:
When you need to hire an Athens back injury attorney
Some types of back pain can be mitigated with a wide variety of treatments and physical therapy, while other types may require surgery. One way or the other, you need to keep cash flowing into your household in order to pay the bills and continue receiving treatment to get back on your feet.
At Gerber & Holder Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, our Athens workers’ compensation attorneys will review your case free of charge and explain the best courses of action to get you the benefits you deserve.
As an experienced workers’ compensation law firm, we know how to put together a strong case on your behalf. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the accident, interview witnesses and review medical reports and history to gain a clear picture of your accident and injuries.
