Among the different workplace injuries, back injuries are a major concern and are often overlooked. Even a mild back pain could affect a person’s quality of work and work productivity. The affected worker may need time off work to tend to their health in which case, am employer has to provide compensation for the same.
Worker’s compensation for work-related back pain:
Back pain requires medical help and your doctor would order tests and scans to assess your back pain. If you have hurt your back at work, you may be eligible for worker’s compensation. You can use the compensation to cover medical bills and lost wages. The best course of action is to report your injury at the earliest and contact an attorney.
Los Angeles residents looking for an experienced attorney can contact the Law Offices of Edward J. Singer. Their experienced attorneys have years of experience handling similar cases and will help with gathering all necessary medical evidence and raise a strong claim. You’ll be required to prove that your back pain is a result of your work and legal help comes handy.
Types of workplace back injuries:
- Specific injury: Injury from physical activities such as lifting, trip, and fall, car accident.
- Cumulative trauma: Injuries that occur over time from repetitive or prolonged physical activities like lifting and sitting.
- Presumptive injury: As per Labor Code Section 3213.2, officers who wear duty belts since their job demands it can raise a claim for workers’ compensation citing back pain as the reason.
- Aggravation of an already existing injury: Aggravation of any already existing back injury.
Role of an employer:
Any employer has legal obligations to provide a safe working atmosphere for their employees. Some of the physical tasks like lifting, manual handling can cause a strain on the back. The employer can take the following precautions to reduce the risk of a back injury.
- Proper training: An employer should teach their employer proper lifting techniques and provide basic safety training. Every new employee should be advised on the right way to lift things.
- Constant reminders: Every once in a while the employer has to keep reminding employees regarding the right posture and lifting techniques as knowledge can fade away over time.
- Explain the risks: Employers should educate employees about the associated risks involved so that the employees take it seriously.
Employers are responsible for reducing the risk of back pain in the workplace. If the necessary precautions aren’t taken and an employee ends up with back pain, he/she can legally claim for compensation.
