Workers Compensation Injuries
Workplace Injury
According to the National Safety Council, every 7 seconds, a worker is injured on the job in the US. That equates to 104 million production days lost due to work related injuries in 2016. Check out the other eye-opening statistics in the infographic.
For many individuals, loss of work means loss of wages and serious financial hardship for the individual and their family.
It’s clear that preventing and treating work injuries before it gets out of hand is important to the livelihood of working families, and Physical Therapy plays a pivotal role in this process.
Please call us if you or a loved one is injured on the job. In most cases, Worker’s Compensation covers the cost of treatment.
General Guidelines for Securing Workman's Compensation
To ensure a successful Worker’s Compensation claim, it’s important to report your injury to your employer right away and seek medical treatment as soon as able.
In order for your work-related injury rehab to be covered with a Worker’s Compensation claim, Physical Therapy treatment needs to be ordered by your physician, and the insurance company must also give approval.
- Bursitis – inflammation of a fluid-filled sac between tendons and bones
- Tendonitis – a weakening of your tendons over time
- Muscle strains and ligament sprains – micro-tears in the connective tissue fibers
- Sciatica – a compression of a nerve root, creating tension in the sciatic nerve in the lower back
- Carpal tunnel syndrome – a compression of the medial nerve in the wrist
- Plantar fasciitis – inflammation of the thick connective tissue on the bottom of the foot, particularly where it attaches to the heel bone
- Whiplash – a strain in the cervical spine as a result of a quick acceleration and deceleration of the body
- Fractures – broken bones
- Crush injuries – usually of the hand or arm
- Contusions and lacerations – severe bumps, bruises, cuts
- Fall-related injuries – sprains, strains, fractures
The above is not an all-inclusive list. Without proper evaluation and early treatment, many employees develop secondary chronic complications, such as weakness or numbness in the legs from prolonged sciatica, osteoarthritis, etc.
- Overexertion – lifting/lowering, repetitive motions (34% of injuries)
- Contact with Objects and Equiptment (25% of injuries)
- Slips, trips, and falls (25% of injuries)
- Excessive sitting
- Repetitive movements – such as typing, assembly work, overhead movements
The most frustrating part is that many of these causative factors develop over time, weakening an area of your body and causing tissue damage.
Using specific manual therapy and therapeutic exercise, Dr. Trinh can help you get back to work as soon as possible without the use of drugs or invasive procedures.
More importantly, we can help you restore normal mobility, postural alignment, and muscular strength so there is no future re-injury. We teach proper preventative measures, such as ergonomic set ups, lifting mechanics and core stability, so you can be confident in your work without injury.
If your productivity, job satisfaction, and general health are currently affected by a work injury, Contact Us today at Physioflow Physical Therapy. Dr. Trinh can tailor an individualized rehab program to get you back to work safely.