Back Injury Lawyers

Recognizing the Signs of Work-Related Lower Back Pain and Getting Treatment

October 4, 2019 By James Hoffmann Leave a Comment

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people miss work or file workers compensation claims.

At some point, everyone has probably experienced back pain. It’s actually one of the most common reasons why people might have to miss work and a common claim in workers’ compensation.

Some may think that back pain is eligible for workers’ compensation only when it’s the result of a fall or a direct blow to the area. However, this is not always the case. Back pain can be the result of years of heavy lifting and performing tasks that can be bad for your spine or posture, which is why it’s so important to know the signs and get help fast. Otherwise, your condition can get much worse.

What Are the Signs?

If you experience some back discomfort or mild pain after a pretty hard day at work, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. Maybe you just pushed too much that day, and need some time to recover. However, if the symptoms linger even after a good night’s rest, something else may be going on.

Here are some common symptoms of back pain:

Muscle aching
Pain that goes down the leg
Shooting or stabbing pain
Pain that prevents you from or worsens when you bend, lift, walk, or stand

In some cases, back pain may even cause additional health issues, which are common results from not getting medical attention as soon as you feel something is wrong. For instance, you could spike a fever, experience leg weakness or tingling, weight loss, or even have bowel/bladder issues. These are all issues that can affect your overall health, meaning it’s incredibly important not to ignore back pains and see your doctor.

Getting Compensated

Unless you need immediate medical attention (like after a fall, or a direct blow to the back), you should notify your employer of your back pain and file an official claim for compensation. In Missouri, your employer has the right to choose your treating doctor, so you generally can’t see your own physician and then have the insurance company reimburse the costs of medical bills.

Even if there was no accident to cause the pain, the work environment could have lead to the back pains, in which case your injury is still eligible for compensation. In some cases, the insurance company may require extra proof to be convinced the injury is indeed work-related. To make things easier, you should speak with an experienced St. Louis workers comp attorney as soon as possible.

Why Do You Need a Lawyer?

Though it’s not mandatory, it is advised to work with a St. Louis work injury lawyer when filing a claim. You never know how the insurance company may try to fight the claim and get it denied, and a lawyer can help you make sure the costs of your medical bills are covered as the law says it should. Additionally, an experienced attorney can even help speed the process. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4300 for a FREE case evaluation.

Filing for Missouri Workers Comp After a Back Injury

August 6, 2019 By James Hoffmann 1 Comment

Back injuries are the second most common workplace injury, according to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA).

The most common work related back injuries include:

Lower back strain
Pinched nerves
Fractured vertebrae
Bulging, herniated, and slipped discs
Spinal cord damage

The majority of work related back injuries are caused by twisting or over-extension of the spine due to pulling, pushing, heavy lifting, or poor posture. Work-related back injuries are often painful and require prolonged treatment and involve long recovery periods.

Causes of Back Pain

Back pain caused by a workplace injury can have various causes. It can occur from a single act such as lifting a heavy box or from persistent and gradual strain on the spinal disks, muscles or ligaments. Repetitive motion such as pulling, pushing, lifting, loading and poor posture too can cause the back to become strained.

Acute and Chronic Back Pain

Acute back pain is the one that comes quickly and diminishes within 3-6 weeks. It may be excruciating, but it is temporary. On the other hand, chronic back pain lasts for more than six weeks and may be present for years and even a lifetime. Our spinal column is made of 24 moving and 9 fused vertebrae. Each of the moving vertebrae is line by a disc that acts as a cushion. The discs are filled with fluid and work as shock absorbers. A work-related back injury can case one of the disks to herniate, and without the disks the vertebrae rub against each other causing inflammation of the spinal nerves and intense pain. Another type of back injury results when the ligaments of dense tissue that keep the spinal column in place and allow it to twist and bend get damaged due to overextension. The ligaments can tear or stretch out of place causing intense pain and discomfort. The sides of the vertebrae are lined by muscles that extend up and down the spinal column. These muscles help in pulling, pushing and lifting heavy objects. These muscles too can suffer tears, sprains and overextension. The spinal cord is composed of thousands of nerve endings that transmit messages between the brain and body. The spinal cord is protected by the spinal column, and an injury to the spinal cord can have catastrophic effects and may lead to paralysis and in worse cases, death. All these injuries can cause intense and long lasting pain that requires medical treatment and time off from work.

Treatment for Back Pain

Treatment for back injuries depends on their severity. While minor injuries may require mild treatment such as a cold compress, more serious ones may require extensive treatment and even surgery. For severe back pain, doctors may prescribe narcotic pain killers, physical therapy, and ultrasound therapy.

Workers Compensation Benefits for Back Pain

If your back pain is a result of workplace injury or repetitive motion, you can claim benefits under Missouri worker compensation system. Get in touch with an experienced attorney at the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann for more information about receiving the benefits you are entitled to.

Call (314) 361-4300 for a free case evaluation.

Work Related Injuries

St. Louis Workplace Injury – Lower Back Pain and Occupational Disability

February 12, 2016 By James Hoffmann Leave a Comment

The Department of Labor attributes 33% of occupational musculoskeletal injuries to lower back pain.

According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, about 66% of lower back pain patients resume work within a month, while 17% are incapable of working for 1 to 6 months. Another 7% cannot work for 6 months or more.

Work-Related Lower Back Pain

Most injued workers are concerned about treatment options, how rapidly their pain will go away, and when they can resume their normal work activities. However, some clinic physicians may not fully explain the cause of lower back pain or treatment options. Any overexertion or trauma-related strain occurring at the workplace may make a worker incapable of moving due to excruciating spasms.

Treatment for Lower Back Pain

There is no magic potion for chronic lower back pain. Treatment options include physical therapy, medication, and epidural injections. If clinical examinations reveal any abnormal findings, the patient might be advised back surgery. An injured worker may feel that the treating doctor is more interested in getting him or her back to work, rather than spending time to understand the problem and offering an appropriate treatment plan.

Speak with a St. Louis Workplace Injury Lawyer

If you have developed chronic lower back pain as a result of the work you do, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Proving that your injury is work-related and getting your rightful benefits may not be easy. If you are having difficulty in getting the benefits that you deserve, contact a St. Louis workplace injury lawyer. Call The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (314) 361-4300.

St. Louis Work Compensation Lawyer: Back Injury Prevention Tips

October 19, 2015 By James Hoffmann Leave a Comment

Back injuries are one of the most commonly reported work related injuries. A back injury can range from minor strains to serious and painful conditions such as herniated discs.

There many reasons a back injury may occur at the workplace. For example, Missouri workers can get back injuries from repeatedly standing or sitting for long hours with a bad posture, working in unsafe conditions, or improperly moving or lifting items. In this post, we will discuss some safety tips that can help workers avoid back injuries. Not only this, it will also improve productivity.

Lifting Items Correctly

Many injuries are suffered when a work is lifting items incorrectly. When lifting a heavy load workers should first bend the knees and keep their back straight. It is important not to bend the spine or twist the body as it can lead to an injury. If you find the item or box too heavy, do not attempt picking it on your own – ask for help. While lifting with someone’s help, communicate vocally so that you both lift the object at the same time.

Carrying Heavy Objects

Once you have lifted the item in your hands, make sure you hold it as close to the body as possible. This ensures a good grip on the object. Also, holding the object with the palm of the hands is safer than gripping it just with the fingers. If you have to turn with the object in your hands, do not turn your back, instead turn your feet.

Putting the Weight Down

When placing the load down, keep your back straight and head up.

Office Ergonomics

Back injuries are not always lifting related. Back injuries can also occur with workers who have to sit or stand for a long time. If you have to stand for a long time at work, then you should use a footrest as it can reduce stress in the discs in the back. Another thing that can help prevent back injuries is use of floor mats as they help natural body movement when standing up. Keep your back straight and ensure that the computer is at eye level. Whether you have to stand or sit for long periods of time, you should take regular breaks and move around whenever possible. If at all possible, avoid staying in the same position for 2 hours or more.

Back Injuries and Missouri Workers Comp

If you have suffered a work-related back injury, you might be entitled to workers compensation benefits. You should speak to a Missouri workers compensation lawyer to understand more about your legal rights as an injured Missouri worker.

Our law office has been helping injured workers receive compensation for their injuries for over 20 years. Call us today at (314) 361-4300 to discuss your claim, free of charge.

Request a Free Consultation

Chronic Back Pain and Workers Compensation

October 31, 2013 By James Hoffmann 6 Comments

If you have suffered a back injury at work, you may need to be able to prove that it was caused by a task or accident while at work.

So far this year in Missouri, 5,479 workers compensation cases have been filed. A large portion of these involve back injuries and pain that are often hard to prove resulted from a workplace accident, especially if the plaintiff has had prior treatment for backache. It is critical that you contact a Missouri workers compensation attorney if chronic back pain is a symptom from your accident. Back pain is often debilitating and may require a lifetime of continued pain management.

Causes of Back Pain in the Workplace

Many different types of accidents can cause back pain. A simple slip and fall or lifting a heavy object can both cause very painful lumbar displacement. Construction workers and installation technicians have a high risk of back injuries from falling off a ladder. No matter what the circumstance, if you have an accident at work, even if you do not feel any immediate pain, fill out an accident report with your employer. Back injuries do not always present themselves immediately, and you do not want to give your employer a valid reason to dispute your claim.

It is estimated that at least $50 billion is spent each year by Americans to treat lower back pain and its symptoms. It is one of the leading reasons of missed work and work related injuries. In order for it to be properly diagnosed, your physician will need complete medical history and a physical exam. The events leading up to the onset of the pain are crucial, now is the time to mention that fall you took at work. Further diagnostic testing will be performed to pinpoint the location and cause of the pain. While acute pain will often respond to medication and go away in a few days, your accident may have done more serious damage resulting in chronic pain.

Contact a Workers Compensation Attorney

If you were injured at work, it is important to speak to a workers compensation lawyer about your legal rights and options. Contact James M. Hoffmann for a free consultation. Our legal team has a strong history of helping injured workers get the medical attention and financial compensation that they need.

Contact our St. Louis, Missouri workers compensation law firm to ensure that your rights are protected. Please call (314) 361-4300 or complete our Online Case Evaluation Form.

Back Injuries Resulting from a Workplace Accident

October 9, 2013 By James Hoffmann Leave a Comment

Herniated discs can be incredibly painful. The pain can spread to your limbs and can become excruciating.

Back injuries can affect every aspect of your life and can leave you unable to work. It is incredibly important to get necessary medical care if you have sustained a back injury at work. Failing to get treatment or delaying treatment can cause the injury to worsen or even to become permanent. In some cases, surgery is necessary to fix the problem and alleviate pain. But how soon you get treatment hinges on your employer, their insurance company, and their willingness to help.

Getting an accurate diagnosis is very important. Correctly diagnosing a herniated disc can be difficult and patients are oftentimes misdiagnosed. This is because the injured disc does not show up on an X-ray. In order to correctly diagnose a herniated disc doctors will have to use a CT scan or MRI. Discography, myelography, and electromyography are also helpful diagnostic tools when it comes to discovering the source of the problem.

Injuries to the back and neck are considered “body as a whole” injuries because the back and neck both have such profound impacts on the way that the entire body functions. In an instant your entire life can change if you suffer a back injury while at work. All of a sudden you may be unable to work or even perform basic everyday activities because of the amount of pain you are in.

Again, getting treatment as soon as possible is crucial. However, insurance companies are not always willing to pay for potentially expensive surgical treatment and ongoing therapies and may try to resist or delay your access to treatment. If this happens you should immediately contact a Missouri workers’ compensation attorney who can help.

Treatments can range anywhere from therapy and steroid injections to laminectomy surgery. Many back injury patients see success with a laminectomy surgery and may heal and even be able to return to work and participate normally in physical activities. But when the surgery is not successful and further intervention is needed, doctors may need to perform a surgical fusion.

Missouri Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Unfortunately, not everyone recovers fully from a serious back injury. Some may suffer from back pain for the rest of their lives, be unable to return to work, and become permanently totally disabled and unable to compete in the open labor market. However, even with multiple surgeries many people heal completely and are able to return to work.

Getting the benefits that you need and deserve is incredibly important. The stress of being unable to work, being in an incredible amount of pain, not knowing when or if the pain will ever stop, and not knowing how you are going to support your family in the meantime, is not something you should have to be worrying about. You should be able to focus on rest and recovery while your Missouri workers’ compensation attorney fights to protect your legal rights and get you all the care and support that you need so that you have the best chance at a full recovery.

The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann can do this. We can work to protect your rights and get you the full amount of compensation you are entitled to.

To schedule a free consultation, call us at (314) 361-4300 or contact us online.

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