Bursitis and Workers’ Compensation

Bursitis may be covered under Workers’ Compensation.

Bursitis is a painful condition that develops when the bursa, a lubricating sac located between joints, tendons, muscles, and even skin, becomes inflamed or irritated. The bursal sac reduces friction by lubricating spaces between joints, muscles, and tendons. As you can imagine, when the sac is inflamed, this can be very painful.

Causes of Bursitis

Bursitis can develop through various mechanisms, often related to everyday activities and natural aging processes. One typical cause is sudden injury or trauma, such as an unexpected fall or hit during sports. Likewise, minor impacts accumulated over time, like regular bumps or minor stresses on a joint, can gradually lead to bursitis.

Common Activities That Can Cause Bursitis:

• Carpentry
• Shoveling
• Gardening
• Sports such as tennis or golf

As individuals age, the natural wear on bones and tendons increases their risk of bursitis, making them more susceptible to tears and injuries. This susceptibility means even activities that were once non-problematic can become harmful.

In the workplace, the risks often stem from:

• Repetitive motions
• Incorrect posture

These factors can aggravate or initiate the inflammation of bursae, particularly in environments that require repetitive manual tasks or long periods of sitting in poorly designed workspaces. This narrative integrates lists selectively to emphasize activities and workplace risks while maintaining a flowing description of how bursitis can develop.

Bursitis Treatment

Treatment for bursitis involves several strategies aimed at reducing inflammation and pain while promoting recovery. Early intervention is crucial, and ignoring symptoms can lead to a worsening of the condition. Here are some effective treatment options:

Key Treatment Options for Bursitis:

• Rest: Resting the affected area is critical to prevent further irritation.
• Medications: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medications can help reduce pain and swelling.
• Heat and Cold Applications: Alternating heat and cold can help manage pain and reduce inflammation.

In more severe cases, additional treatments may be necessary:

• Steroid Injections: These can reduce severe inflammation quickly.
• Physical Therapy: Helps strengthen the area and improve joint function.
• Splinting: Immobilizing the affected joint can help in the healing process.

Prompt treatment is essential to managing symptoms effectively and preventing the condition from worsening. Continuating regular activities without addressing the inflammation can significantly aggravate the injury.

Workers’ Compensation for Bursitis

The workers’ compensation system is designed to benefit injured workers while protecting employers from civil lawsuits. Under this system, injured workers are entitled to certain key benefits:

Essential Benefits of Workers’ Compensation:

• Paid Medical Care: All necessary medical treatments related to the work injury should be covered.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for wages lost due to time off work because of the injury.
• Ongoing Medical Treatment: Continued medical care should be provided after the worker returns.

However, it’s important to note that workers’ comp insurance does not cover benefits for pain and suffering.

To successfully claim these benefits, proof is required that the injury occurred during employment or due to working conditions. This applies to immediate traumatic injuries and those that develop gradually over time. The fault is generally irrelevant in workers’ compensation claims; coverage is based on a work-related injury.

Common Types of Injuries Covered:

• Traumatic Accidents: Sudden and severe injuries caused by specific work-related incidents.
• Repetitive Injuries: Injuries developed over time due to repetitive motions or strains.

Workers’ compensation is crucial, especially for repetitive injuries requiring proper medical treatment and adequate rest to allow full recovery and a safe return to work.

St. Louis Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

In some cases, consulting with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney may be a good option. If you have a preexisting condition or your employer’s insurance company thinks they can blame your bursitis on age, getting the compensation you deserve can be difficult. But age and a preexisting condition do not disqualify you from receiving workers’ compensation benefits. Discussing your case with a workers’ compensation attorney in your area can help you develop an effective plan that will maximize your chances of getting the full benefits you are entitled to.

At the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann we have a proven track record of assisting injured Missouri workers receive the compensation they are entitled to.

Any injury can be stressful and expensive to treat and can keep you away from your job for long periods. Getting medical care as soon as possible, hopefully, helps you heal quickly and get back to work as quickly as possible.

Fill out our online contact form or call us at (314) 361-4300 to schedule your free consultation.

Work-Related Injuries

photo credit: WarmSleepy via Flickr