Anyone who has ever pulled a muscle in their back by bending the wrong way or trying to lift something heavy knows how debilitating even a minor back injury can be. Many work-related back injuries are far more severe and can cause permanent damage, which substantially limits your ability to work and earn a living.
It is vital for every employee to understand their right to seek workers’ compensation benefits after sustaining this type of injury and how a capable workers’ compensation attorney could help with their claim. If you are dealing with a back injury that you sustained on the job, consult a Van Nuys workplace back injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Under state law, employers must provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage for all employees, covering any “work-related” injuries or illnesses. As a credible attorney can further explain, this means that any type of back injury you sustain in a workplace – or due to working conditions – may serve as valid grounds for a workers’ compensation claim.
Workers’ compensation benefits can cover long-term healthcare costs, lost wages, and disability benefits for both chronic and acute work-related back injuries. That said, chronic issues like lower back pain may be more challenging to connect directly to working conditions than more straightforward cases, such as a spinal cord injury from a fall at work. In these types of cases, it is especially important to work closely with expert legal representation to increase your chances of a favorable outcome. A Van Nuys on-the-job back injury attorney could gather compelling evidence to support your claim and pursue the full benefits you are entitled to.
The first thing you should do after sustaining a work-related back injury is to notify your employer in writing about the injury and the circumstances that led to it. Your employer should then provide you with a workers’ compensation claim form. To formally start the claims process, you will need to complete the “Employee” section and return it to your employer.
Once your employer completes their part of the form and sends it to their workers’ compensation provider, the provider has 14 days to notify you by mail if they have accepted or rejected your claim. In the meantime, it is crucial to seek a professional diagnosis and medical treatment from an employer-approved physician. This will provide essential documentation of your injury and prove that you are complying with state workers’ compensation requirements.
A skilled workplace back injury lawyer in Van Nuys could ensure that all documentation is submitted correctly and advocate on your behalf throughout the process.
Sustaining an injury at work can disrupt both your personal and professional life, but back injuries can be especially debilitating. You may require extensive medical treatment and be forced to take time off work, which could impact your financial well-being. Fortunately, you have the right to seek benefits through your employer’s workers’ compensation plan.
Support from a seasoned Van Nuys workplace back injury lawyer could be essential in ensuring your workers’ compensation claim meets all legal requirements and that you receive the benefits you deserve. Call Glauber Berenson Vego today for a consultation.
