A worker who suffers work-related degenerative disc disease may lose out on workers’ compensation benefits.
Degenerative disc and joint disease is usually associated with aging. However, with the kind of stressful lives we lead today, work-related pressures can cause physical stress or injuries at the workplace. These types of injuries are often neglected, causing permanent damage or disabilities to workers at a younger age, leaving them unable to earn a living.
A worker who suffers work-related degenerative disc disease may lose out on workers’ compensation benefits because he or she is unable to prove that the condition is work-related. It is important for workers who are susceptible to work-related degenerative disc disease to have the correct information regarding the condition.
What is Degenerative Disc and Joint Disease?
Degenerative disc disease involves the slow degeneration process of the soft compressed discs separating the vertebrae and causing the surrounding nerves to compress. This leads to pain, disturbances in the nerve roots or spinal cord, instability, or a combination of these problems. Degenerated disc disease affects people who do heavy physical labor, suffer a sudden fall, or are injured by a falling object. It most commonly affects the lower back lumbar region or the cervical region. If left untreated it can lead to serious chronic conditions, such as arthritis, herniated disc, or spinal stenosis (where the spinal canal, or the open space in the spine that holds the spinal cord, narrows). These conditions can be treated with surgery and physical therapy.
Workplace Injuries That Cause Degenerative Disc Disease
Certain occupations can predispose an individual to developing degenerative disc disease. Jobs that require heavy lifting, long distance walking, or squatting (for example – plumbing) put a worker at a higher risk. The Liberty Mutual Insurance Workplace Safety Index has listed the top five workplace injuries that can cause degenerative disc disease.
- overexertion caused by continuous lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, or throwing
- injuries caused by falls on the same level
- injuries caused by falls to a lower level
- injuries caused by bending, climbing, reaching, standing, sitting, slipping, or tripping
- being injured by a tool or falling material
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Degenerative disc and joint diseases are extremely common and are naturally occurring disorders that occur over a long period of time. This can make it difficult for a worker to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Most often, the claim may be denied as a naturally occurring condition.
You may need help proving the relationship between your work-related injury and degenerative disc disease. Contact a St. Louis workers’ compensation lawyer from The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann. Call us at (314) 361-4300 for a free consultation.
Work Related Injuries
Work Related ACL Injury
Leg Amputation
Finger Amputation
Ankle Injury
Ankle Replacement
Arthroscopic Surgery
Work Related Arthritis
Accidental Asphyxiation
Work Related Asthma
Avulsion Injury
Back Injury at Work
Back Pain from Work
Lower Back Pain at Work
Chronic Back Pain
Head Injury Internal Bleeding
Internal Bleeding after Injury
Blood Related Illness
Broken Bones
Brain Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injury
Bursitis Work Related
Burn Injury at Work
Electric Burn
Chemical Burn
Calcaneus Fracture
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Cardiovascular Disease
Carpal Tunnel Work Related
Cartilage Injury
Cervical Disc Replacement
Cervical Fusion
Chronic Illness
Work Related Chronic Pain
Work Related Concussion
Contagious Disease
Work Related COPD
Skin Corrosion
CRPS Disease
Crush Injuries
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Work Related Death
Degenerative Bone Disease
Degenerative Disc Disease Work RelatedReflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Work Related Tennis Elbow
Elbow Injury
Epicondylitis at Work
Work Related Eye Injury
Fibromyalgia
Work Related Foot Injuries
Work Related Injuries to the Hand
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
Work Related Head Injury
Closed Head Injury
Open Head Injury
Work Related Hearing Loss
Heart Attack Work Related
Stroke at Work
Heat Stroke at Work
Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Hernia Work Related Injury
Work Related Herniated Disc
Hip Fracture
Hip Replacement
Hip Injuries
Intracranial Injury
Broken Jaw
Work Related Knee Injuries
Knee Fracture
Laceration
LCL Injury
Legionnaires Disease
Ligament Tear
Limb Loss
Lumbar Disc Replacement
Lumbar Fusion
Lumbar Spinal Fusion
MCL Tear
MCL Injury
Meniscus Tear
Work Related Mental Illness
Mesothelioma from Work
Work Related Muscle Problems
Work Related Neck Pain
Work Related Neck InjuryNerve Damage from Work Related Injury
Neurological Disorders
Occupational Disease
Organ Damage
Pain and Suffering from Work Related Injury
Paralysis
Patella Fracture
Pelvic Fracture
Plantar Fascitis
Pre Existing Work Related Injury
Work Related PTSD
Radiation Sickness
Repetitive Stress Injury
Rhabdomyolysis
Rotator Cuff Tear
Rotator Cuff Surgery
Work Related Rotator Cuff Injury
Sciatica Work Related
Shift Work Disorder
Shoulder Fusion
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Injury
Work Related Shoulder Pain
Sick Building Syndrome
Skull Fracture
Spinal Cord Injury at Work
Spondylolysis
Sprain at Work
Work Related Repetitive Strain Injury
Work Related Stress
Stress Fracture
Subdural Hematoma
Work Related Tendonitis
Lost Tooth at Work
Trigger Finger Work Related
Vertebroplasty
Vision Impairment
Lost Vision at Work
Work Related Wrist Injuries
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