If your boss is telling you to “push through the pain,” your symptoms are getting worse, or “light duty” still hurts, call The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann.
If you were hurt at work and a supervisor told you to “work through it” or “push through the pain,” you’re not alone. In Missouri, it’s common for injured workers to feel pressured to keep going—even when pain is getting worse, you’re limping through shifts, or “light duty” still hurts.
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1) Don’t “tough it out” if you’re getting worse
Pain is information. If symptoms are increasing—more swelling, numbness/tingling, weakness, reduced range of motion, trouble sleeping, headaches, or pain that spikes during certain tasks—pushing through can make the injury harder to treat and harder to explain later.
You don’t have to prove you’re “tough.” You need to protect your body and create a clear record of what happened and what you’re experiencing.
2) Report the injury (and the worsening symptoms) in writing
Even if you already mentioned it verbally, put it in writing as soon as possible:
- The date/time and how the injury happened
- What body parts are affected
- What tasks make symptoms worse
- That you’re requesting medical care through workers’ comp
A simple message works:
“I reported my injury on [date]. My pain is getting worse and I’m having trouble performing my job duties. I’m requesting authorized medical treatment and guidance on work restrictions.”
Why this matters: Many Missouri workers’ comp disputes start with “they never reported it” or “they were fine until later.” Written notice helps prevent that argument.
3) Ask for authorized medical care (not just your own doctor)
In Missouri workers’ compensation, the employer/insurer generally controls medical treatment by choosing the authorized provider. That doesn’t mean you should delay care—especially if you’re worsening—but it does mean you should request authorized treatment right away.
If you’re told to “just take ibuprofen” or “give it a few days,” ask clearly:
- “Who is the authorized doctor/clinic?”
- “Where should I go today?”
- “Can you confirm this in writing?”
If you can’t get authorization and you’re worried about a serious issue (for example, severe pain, loss of sensation, shortness of breath, or head injury symptoms), get appropriate medical attention. Your health comes first.
4) Don’t let “light duty” turn into “full duty in disguise”
A common tactic is labeling work as “light duty” while still expecting you to lift, twist, climb, push/pull, or work at a pace that aggravates the injury.
If you have restrictions—or believe you need them—focus on specific tasks, not emotions:
- “This task requires lifting 40 lbs repeatedly, and my pain increases sharply.”
- “This job requires overhead reaching; my shoulder pain worsens, and I’m losing range of motion.”
- “Standing for long periods increases swelling; I need a sit/stand option per medical guidance.”
If your employer offers light duty that doesn’t match restrictions, that mismatch can become a major issue in the claim.
5) Keep your language calm and consistent (and avoid common traps)
When you’re under pressure, it’s easy to say something that gets repeated later.
Try to avoid:
- “I’m fine” (when you’re not)
- “It’s probably nothing.”
- “I can do whatever you need”
- Guessing diagnoses (“it’s definitely a torn ___”)
Better:
- “I’m having pain and difficulty doing ___ tasks.”
- “My symptoms are worsening.”
- “I need medical evaluation and work status guidance.”
Workers’ comp decisions often turn on what’s written in records and emails—so keep it clear, factual, and repeatable.
6) Start documenting now (this helps with denied claims and disputes)
Create a simple notes log on your phone:
- Date and what tasks you did
- Pain level before/during/after
- Any swelling, numbness, weakness, or other symptoms
- Who told you to “push through” (name + date)
- Any missed work, early departures, or modified duties
This is especially important if:
- Your claim is denied
- The employer disputes how it happened
- The insurance company argues you’re “better”
- You’re sent to an IME (Independent Medical Exam) later
7) If you feel pressured, respond in writing and ask for clarification
If your boss is insisting you continue doing painful tasks, consider a calm written message:
“I want to work, but my injury symptoms increase when I do ___ tasks. I’m requesting guidance on authorized medical treatment and written clarification on my work restrictions.”
This protects you from later claims like “they refused work” or “they quit.”
8) Know the red flags that should trigger legal advice
It may be time to talk with a Missouri workers’ comp lawyer if any of these happen:
- Your employer refuses to send you to an authorized doctor
- You’re told not to report it / to use your personal insurance
- Your claim is denied or delayed
- You’re offered “light duty” that increases pain
- You’re being disciplined after reporting the injury
- You’re pressured to return before you’re medically ready
- Your TTD (temporary total disability) checks stop unexpectedly
- You’re sent to an IME, and you’re worried the report won’t reflect reality
How The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann Can Help
We deal exclusively with workers’ compensation in Missouri. With over 30 years of experience focused on workers’ comp, Attorney James M. Hoffmann has secured over $100,000,000 for clients. As your St. Louis Workers Compensation Attorney, we back every case with a client-focused approach and a proven record of success.