Finding Someone Who Can Be On Your Side

You may be at risk for developing a back injury if you are engaged in physical labor and experience pain or discomfort due to excessive exertion. Back injuries are common work-related injuries, which can be extremely painful and debilitating. They can even lead to a workers' compensation claim. 

Seek Medical Attention

If you are injured, you must tell your employer immediately and seek medical treatment. You might be worried about how you can pay your bills. Still, you may receive compensation through a workers' compensation insurance provider.

Understand Your Back Injury

Overexertion can occur in various settings, including construction sites, warehouses, factories, or even in office environments where you must perform repetitive tasks for extended periods. When you lift heavy objects, you're putting a lot of strain on your back muscles and spine. This can cause tiny tears in the muscles or ligaments, which can lead to inflammation and pain.

Overexertion can also cause back pain, as you're pushing your muscles to their limit and putting extra stress on your spine. If you hurt yourself due to overexertion or heavy lifting, you may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits, which can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs.

Report Your Injury

Following the proper procedures and working with your employer and insurance company is paramount. This can help ensure you receive the medical treatment and compensation you deserve under the workers' compensation laws of the state in which you reside.

Be Prepared for a Claim Denial

Unfortunately, not all workers' compensation claims are approved. For example, your employer or the workers' compensation insurance provider might believe you're not as injured as you claim. 

Gather Evidence

To prove that you injured your back at work, you must gather evidence and provide testimony from witnesses who can attest to what happened. This may include medical records, photographs of the injury, and any incident documentation, such as accident reports or security camera footage. 

Fight Your Claim Denial

Even when you have evidence that you hurt your back, the workers' compensation insurance provider might refuse to approve your claim. Therefore, you must also speak with a workers' compensation attorney about whether you should appeal your claim denial.

If your claim is denied, you can challenge the decision and take the insurance provider to court. You may be entitled to further damages if you prove they should have accepted and rejected your claim in bad faith.

Reach out to local workers' compensation lawyers to learn more.