If you experience a back injury at work, it’s important to tell your supervisor about the issues as quickly as possible. It’s also a good idea to visit a Rhode Island hospital to seek treatment for a torn muscle, a broken bone or general soreness. After you return to your job, you may be entitled to modifications aimed at reducing the chances of exacerbating existing health problems.
Causes of workplace back injuries
Many things can cause workplace back injuries, and they aren’t necessarily the result of a single incident. In some cases, they are caused by repetitive twisting, bending or lifting for several weeks, months or years. A slip, trip or fall accident or a person or object striking you from behind can also cause this type of injury.
Treating workplace back injuries
You want to seek treatment quickly to minimize the trauma your body sustains. For example, putting an ice or a heat pack on the affected area may help prevent swelling or muscles from tightening up. A prompt diagnosis from your doctor or another medical professional may enable you to take other actions that might prevent the need for surgery or other serious interventions to achieve a full medical recovery.
Reporting an injury
Ideally, you will report your injury within 24 hours to ensure timely processing of your workers’ compensation claim. Obtaining a favorable outcome in your case is easier if you have evidence that you were hurt at work, such as videos, witness statements or photos from the scene of the incident. You may also use medical records to prove that you weren’t impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time that you were hurt.
If you are injured at work, you may be awarded compensation for medical bills incurred to treat chronic pain or a torn muscle. You also may be able to obtain a portion of any wages you lost while recuperating from a back injury you sustained while performing tasks for your employer.