The complex nature of our spines can account for the hundreds of thousands of people who injure their backs while on the job each year. It’s a well-known fact that you can suffer a back injury easily when lifting heavy items and turning from side to side. The spine can even be injured from seemingly harmless accidents or repetitive movements that place undue stress on your back. Back and spine injuries can have a major impact on your life.
If you have been injured at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. At Work Injury Rights, we have over 45 years of combined experience representing injured workers throughout Florida. Our team of work injury specialists have the experience and expertise to help you get the best legal representation for your workers’ compensation claim. Contact our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers today for a free consultation to review your back injury claim by calling 954-833-5226.
The Spinal Mechanics of Your Back
Your spine is made up of numerous bones, as well as nerves that connect to your brain. When we move, electrical impulses are sent via the spinal cord to the brain areas responsible for movement. The bones in the spine are known as vertebrae, and the soft material in between the vertebrae are known as discs. These discs are integral to your movement, and the bones protect the nerves in your spinal cord.
The spine is made of three major parts known as the cervical spine, the thoracic spine, and the lumbar – all of which are important for healthy movement. When your spine is injured, this can severely impact your ability to move and safely perform your job.
Common Back Injuries in Florida
Your spine is durable, and a work of natural wonder when it comes to strength, flexibility, and durability. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t prone to injuries, especially when it is subjected to repetitive or heavy force.
Let’s take a look at some common back and neck injuries that can occur while on the job:
Whiplash
This is one of the most common injuries to the spine. Many times, it is caused by car accidents. The damage is done when a person’s head and neck are whipped forward faster than the body. Whiplash injuries typically involve neck muscles, ligaments, and tissues in the cervical spine and neck.
Thoracic Spine Injury
This kind of injury involves the chest and mid-back areas. A thoracic spine injury can often be quite serious, causing permanent nerve damage. This can be caused by hard impacts that result from accidents like car crashes or construction site accidents. Symptoms can include spasms, tingling, weakness, and pain in the ribs, shoulders, arms, or legs.
Lumbar Spine Injury
Heavy lifting is often the cause of this lower back injury. If your lower back muscles are stretched too far, damage can occur—along with painful swelling, soreness, and limited mobility.
Herniated Disc
More commonly known as a herniated disc, this injury can also be called a slipped disc. Herniated discs happen when a vertebrae disc is out of place and in an uncomfortable spot. This can cause the bones to touch nerves, resulting in pain that ranges from dull to completely debilitating. Other symptoms are numbness, weakness, and sharp pains.
Back Injury FAQs
I helped a patient up after falling on the floor – now my back hurts. Will Workers’ Compensation benefits cover my injury costs?
While it isn’t possible to say definitively that workers’ compensation benefits will cover your injury costs, it is very likely if you follow proper procedures. You should immediately report your injury and ensure that there is a report created with your supervisor. From there, seek medical attention and get documentation for all of your costs and treatments.
Getting Workers’ Compensation benefits is difficult, as they work extremely hard to give you far less money than you are eligible for. So be sure to contact a lawyer to help walk you through the legal process and file your claim. At Work Injury Rights, we help you get the maximum compensation you deserve, while exploring all your options. Contact us today to get started on filing for your Workers’ Compensation benefits.
I was on the job and I hurt my back. Can I get help through Workers’ Comp or is there another option?
There are a few other programs out there that are similar to Workers’ Comp, though they usually aren’t as beneficial. Local legislatures and certain unions are working on new approaches to injuries on the job, but they are few and far between. Your best bet is to go through the traditional workers’ comp process while also looking at some of your other options, but you want to act as quickly as possible.
It’s important you reach out to a lawyer who can explain the process to you and explore your options. For more information, call Work Injury Rights today, and we will get you in contact with one of our experienced Florida workers’ compensation lawyers.
I got a back injury on the job – when should I call a lawyer?
The best time to call a lawyer is immediately after you report your injury to your supervisor. After you report your injury, it’s imperative to call a lawyer who can help you understand your rights. Your supervisor will likely file a report, and you will get a call from Workers’ Compensation. Having a lawyer on your side during this time can ensure that you get everything you are entitled to.
The most important thing is to take care of yourself first, but then you need to seek legal guidance. At Work Injury Rights, we will help you to get the maximum compensation and explore your options, including any third-party claims.
After injuring my back at work, what compensation should I expect?
After injuring your back at work, the compensation that you get will be directly related to the severity of the injury. Workers’ compensation should cover your medical costs, lost wages, and even pain and suffering. You should expect to receive compensation throughout your treatment of your injury and if the injury prevents you from returning to work in any meaningful way, you may be entitled to even more compensation.
If you think that you are going to be out of work after injuring your back, you should immediately contact us. We can help you understand what compensation to expect and then fight so that you receive the maximum amount in a timely manner.
I’ve been struggling with back pain for two years and have been diagnosed with a herniated disk. I’ve been unable to work because the pain has impacted my life – am I
eligible for disability?
If you were diagnosed with a herniated disc and you have medical proof that you have a back problem, then you are able to file for disability. Filing for disability is a rather lengthy process and it can be quite complicated, which is why most people seek the help of a lawyer. A workers’ compensation lawyer can ensure that you fill out every form properly to get the maximum coverage.
If you are thinking about filing for disability because of a back injury or a related problem, call Work Injury Rights today, and we will get you in contact with a lawyer who can help you file a claim for workers’ comp simultaneously.
Contact Our Work Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation for Your Job-Related Back Injury
A back injury can be quite a traumatic event – not just physically but financially as well. The good news is that you have options. When you’re injured on the job, you may be eligible to collect workers’ compensation benefits to provide you with lost wages and medical benefits following your back injury.
At Work Injury Rights, we seek maximum compensation and can help you explore your options, including any third-party claims. We put our 45+ years of experience to work for you! We work on a contingency-fee-basis, which means you do not pay anything unless we secure a settlement or jury award for you. Take the first step and contact us today for a free consultation by calling 954-833-5226.
