Back pain is ubiquitous in the United States, and most people–about 80 percent according to some estimates–end up complaining about such problems at some point in their lives. The discomfort can involve a variety of causes, though, so it isn’t always an easy thing to treat. Sometimes stretching, massage, diet changes, exercise or a medical professional can help. In other cases, surgery and pain medication is used to manage the condition.
Preventing and managing back issues at work can be a challenge, particularly for those who work in certain industries. Industries, which involve particular risk of injury for employees, are those involving heavy lifting and awkward motions of the upper body. Also at risk are those who work in jobs that require repetitive motions.
When an employee is harmed at work and hurts his or her back, it is important that he or she understands his or her right to seek financial assistance for injuries. One of the most important things a worker can do to protect his or her interests is to report an incident immediately after it happens. Sometimes injuries do not show up immediately after an incident. For this reason, it is critical that an employee is able to demonstrate that the injury occurred in the course of employment.
Whether a sustained injury is work-related is a point employers sometimes try to challenge. This is especially true in regards to the workers’ compensation process. Determining the work-relatedness of an injury is not always easy, though. When incidents are reported and documented, this task becomes easier for the individual and makes it simpler to obtain benefits without a fight over the issue. Those harmed during employment who run into problems in this area should contact an experienced worker’s compensation attorney for advice and guidance.
Source: Fox News, “A new approach to understanding back pain,” May 11, 2014.