Back pain is one of the most common symptoms reported by employees who sustain injuries at work. Whether the result of lifting a heavy object, slipping and falling while on the job, or making the same repetitive motion over a long period of time, back injuries can have debilitating consequences for employees. Fortunately, these injuries are usually compensable under Florida’s workers’ compensation program, so if you suffered a back injury while at work, you should reach out to our lawyer who can help you seek compensation for medical bills and lost wages.
Common Work-Related Back Injuries
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, musculoskeletal problems like back injuries account for more than 30 percent of all injuries reported by employees who are hurt on the job. Reported injuries include a wide range of back-related conditions, such as:
- Lower back strain, which involves the overstretching or tearing of the back muscles and usually takes the form of back spasms, pain, and reduced mobility;
- Lumbar sprains, which occur when the ligaments in the back are overly stretched and torn and typically result in inflammation, pain, and spasms;
- Spinal fractures, which are usually the result of a sudden impact or blunt force trauma and can cause limited mobility and nerve damage;
- Spondylolisthesis, which occurs when a vertebrae cracks, before slipping over the bone below it, resulting in pain in the lower back and legs, as well as stiffness and muscle weakness;
- Herniated discs, which occurs when the discs that cushion the vertebrae are ruptured, causing severe pain and nerve damage; and
- Bulging discs, which involve the swelling of the discs in the spinal cord and subsequent increased pressure on nearby nerves.
All of these injuries require their own diagnostic tests and specific treatments, most of which are extremely expensive. Fortunately, Florida law covers back injuries sustained while on the job, regardless of whether they were caused by a single traumatic accident or are the result of repetitive stress.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Most employers in Florida are required to obtain workers’ compensation insurance to cover their employees in the event of a workplace injury. These benefits typically cover a portion of injured employees’ lost wages, as well as all related medical bills. Some insurers, however, may dispute the severity of an employee’s injury in an effort to avoid paying the full amount of a claim. In other cases, an insurer may deny a valid claim outright due to an alleged failure to submit necessary paperwork or other minor error. An experienced attorney can challenge these allegations and ensure that insurers are held accountable for their attempts to deprive injured workers of their rightful benefits.
Helping Our Clients Recover Compensation for Their Work-Related Back Injuries
If you sustained a back injury at work, you could be entitled to wage replacement and medical benefits. Please call 954-677-0155 to schedule a free case review with one of the experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyers at The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. today.
