What Injuries are Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

Understanding workers’ compensation coverage is a vital step in the recovery process for those injured at work. This coverage helps injured workers recover financially and physically.

How do you know if you’re eligible and what types of injuries qualify for workers’ compensation coverage?

What Kinds of Injuries Are Covered?

Generally speaking, if an injury occurs while you are on the job, the affected worker is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. This includes illnesses linked to workplace conditions as well as repetitive stress injuries that develop over time due to an employee’s job duties.

Some of the most common workers’ comp injuries include:

Repetitive Stress Injuries

Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) result from repeated physical activities. This includes typing on a computer keyboard or operating certain machinery. Symptoms include:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness in the affected area

Treatment typically includes rest, physical therapy, medication, and possibly surgery depending on the severity of the injury.

Slip-and-Fall Injuries

Slip-and-fall accidents occur when an individual trips or slips due to a hazardous condition on their workplace premises. These accidents can cause serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, and neck or back strain/sprain. Depending on the extent of the damages suffered due to a slip-and-fall accident, workers comp benefits may cover medical expenses as well as lost wages associated with recovery time from work.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure placed on nerves in the wrist due to repetitive motions such as typing or using hand tools. Symptoms include numbness and tingling in hands and fingers accompanied by pain in wrists and arms. Many people need surgery if their symptoms do not respond to physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by doctors.

Back Injuries

Back injuries are another common problem encountered in workers comp claims. These injuries are especially common for workers in fields that require heavy lifting. Common back injuries include:

• Lower back strains
• Bulging discs
• Herniated discs
• Spinal fractures
• Sciatica pain
• Nerve damage
• Chronic back pain

Some back injuries require long-term medical care such as physical therapy, medication, injections, and even surgery. A work-related back injury can change your life forever and make it impossible for you to return to your job.

Filing a Claim

To receive workers’ compensation benefits, you must file a claim with your employer’s insurance company or the state agency responsible for overseeing these claims. You will need to provide proof of your injury as well as any medical records related to the injury or illness. This includes documents related to your injury or illness, such as doctor’s notes or hospital bills.

You should also document any lost wages caused by your injury or illness. To do this, you’ll need proof of earnings before the injury and documentation demonstrating how much money was lost due to missing work days or a reduction in work hours.

Do You Need a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?

At its core, workers’ compensation is designed to cover most types of workplace injuries and illnesses. This includes everything from accident injuries to falling on a job site to physical ailments caused by repetitive stress or exposure to hazardous working conditions, as long as the damage is work-related.

Knowing what injuries workers’ comp covers can help injured workers feel more secure about their recovery process. It also ensures that they get the necessary financial support during their time away from work due to an injury or illness. Working with a workers’ compensation attorney ensures you’re treated fairly and that you receive the benefits to which you’re entitled.

For more information about workers’ compensation or to speak to someone about your workplace injury, contact Livingston DiMarzio Brown, LLP at (973) 661-4545.