You spend your day in a cushy job, sitting behind a desk and typing on a computer. That’s what your friends and family would say, anyway. You know different. Sitting behind a desk all day is taking its toll. At the end of your 8-hour shift, nothing feels better than the chance to stand and stretch, groaning as your tight lower back inhibits your ability to walk with the grace of a person your age.
Does this sound like you? If so, you aren’t alone. Lower back pain is one of the most common medical problems, affecting 80 percent of people at some point in their lifetime. In fact, some estimate that there are approximately 31 million people in the country experiencing back pain at any moment in the day.
You know that the source of your back pain is that “cushy” office chair, but can you file a workers’ compensation claim?
Determination of Cause
The exact cause of lower back pain can be difficult for doctors to determine. Because of this, it can be difficult to say that your exact type of pain is a direct result of your job duties. In order to have a successful claim, you and your attorney must be able to prove that the cause of your troubles is related to your employment.
There are generally two types of injuries on the job:
- Acute or Specific: This type of injury occurs immediately or soon after an accident. Maybe your chair broke and you took a spill. On your way down, you pulled a muscle in your lower back.
- Exposure: This type of injury occurs over time. For example, you type on a computer all day long with very few opportunities to take a break. As a result, you are diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Diagnosis
The first thing you need to do is to speak with your doctor. If your doctor can relate your injury to your being required to sit all day as part of your job, you may have a claim. If not, you won’t be able to recover money spent on medical bills.
Employer Notification
The next thing you need to do is notify your employer of your injury. This must be done within 30 days of your injury or diagnosis.
Contact an Attorney
Lastly, consult with an attorney experienced in workers’ compensation law. In truth, filing a workers’ compensation claim because you have to sit in a chair could be a bit of a stretch, but if your chair truly is the cause of your pain and your employer has taken no steps to remedy the situation, you may be successful.
Don’t assume that you can’t file a claim. Our team of workers’ compensation attorneys will review the details of your case at no cost to you and give you their honest advise. We will advise you of your options and tell you if you have a provable case. Call now or browse our website for more information about how we can help you.
