When Simply Doing Your Job Leads To A Serious Lifting Injury
Did You Suffer A Lifting Injury At Work?
Last updated on August 12, 2024
While at work you may have felt searing pain or a “pop.” Maybe you felt only a twinge at the time, but could barely move when you woke up the next day. Lifting injuries are among the most common work injuries. Without proper diagnosis, treatment and recuperation, the damage can become permanent. Yet employees often meet resistance when filing a workers’ compensation claim for a lifting injury.
Skibiel Law in Jonesboro represents injured workers throughout the Atlanta area. We can protect your rights if you were injured on the job from heavy lifting or repeated lifting. We will help you get the medical care you need and the wage benefits you deserve under Georgia workers’ compensation.
Riverdale Back Injury Attorney Fighting For Your Workers’ Compensation Rights
Lifting injuries generally fall into two categories:
- Acute injury while moving or lifting something heavy — this might be a back injury or buckled knee from the strain, or a related injury such as broken toe or ankle sprain when the object fell or the person slipped.
- Cumulative trauma from repeatedly lifting, bending and twisting — rather than any specific incident, the repetitive stress takes its toll over time on bones, joints or nerve tissues.
Back and neck injuries are the most frequent lifting injuries — vertebra fracture, slipped disk, cervical sprain, lumbar strain, pulled muscle or sciatica pain. A knee injury (torn cartilage, torn ligament) can develop from the long-term strain of carrying and bending. Shoulder injury claims (rotator cuff, dislocated shoulder) commonly arise from repetitive motions or lifting objects above one’s head.
Medical Care And Compensation For Lifting Injuries
Insurers frequently challenge these claims as not work related, especially if the employee did not report an injury or seek medical treatment for a day or two, or if the employee has a history of similar injuries. You should report any pain or accident in timely fashion and see a doctor, but a delay should not cancel your rights. You are also entitled under the law to workers’ comp if performing your job duties aggravated a pre-existing medical condition or a prior injury.
Our legal team is skilled at overcoming these barriers and proving that the injury was job related. We aggressively represent clients in claims, hearings and appeals to make sure they receive appropriate medical care (including surgery or physical therapy) and full benefits for temporary or permanent disability.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lifting Injuries In The Workplace
We believe every client should be as informed as possible about their legal options. Here are the answers to some of the questions we hear most often when it comes to lifting injuries:
How do I know if my injury is serious enough to file a workers’ compensation claim?
If it requires medical treatment, it is severe enough to file a workers’ compensation claim. Any physical injury you suffer while working should entitle you to all necessary benefits. In some cases, that may just include medical care and “light duty” assignments. In other cases, you may need time off work.
Can I file a workers’ compensation claim if my lifting injury developed over time rather than from a single incident?
Yes. Many lifting injuries are classified as “repetitive strain injuries” or RSIs, which occur gradually due to repeated use and overuse of specific body parts. RSIs are equally as valid as an injury due to a single incident or a sudden accident. Do not allow your employer or their insurer to dismiss your condition based on the idea that you cannot pinpoint the exact moment that you became injured.
What if my employer or the insurance company disputes my lifting injury claim?
If your claim is disputed, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. The ALJ will listen to both sides of the issue and determine what benefits you should receive based on the facts of your case and the applicable laws.
Am I eligible for workers’ compensation if my lifting injury aggravated a preexisting condition?
Many times, employers and their insurers try to deny claims for lifting injuries based on the idea that someone has a preexisting condition, such as arthritis. However, if your work injury aggravates or exacerbates an existing condition, you are still entitled to benefits.
How long does it take to resolve a workers’ compensation claim for a lifting injury?
The length of time it can take to receive workers’ comp for a lifting injury can vary greatly. If there is no dispute, you may be able to receive your first check within 21 days of missed work. If you have to ask for a hearing, the hearing must occur within 60 days.
Experienced Work Injury Advocates Since 1992
Trial lawyer Mark A. Skibiel has devoted his practice to representing the injured and the disabled for 25 years. We have represented people in many occupations — such as warehouse workers, nurses, delivery drivers and construction workers — whose jobs involve heavy lifting or frequent lifting.
Call us today at 770-400-0963 or toll-free at 770-968-3554 to schedule a free consultation with our dedicated Jonesboro lifting injury attorney. You may also reach us by email. Se habla español.