Smith & Baltaxe, LLP

Worker’s Comp for Chronic Back Pain

By Bernhard Baltaxe on January 01, 2018

Work injuries are an unfortunate but common occurrence. Employers are required to carry worker’s compensation insurance to cover losses stemming from such injuries. In many cases, worker’s compensation is linked to a sudden and specific injury-causing accident. However, countless individuals also suffer from repetitive stress injuries. Repetitive stress injuries build up over an extended period of time. One of the most common types of repetitive stress injuries is chronic back pain. Although it can be difficult to prove that an injury is related to work duties when there is not a sudden trigger, those with a repetitive stress injury deserve to obtain the worker’s comp benefits that they are due. The experienced attorneys at Smith & Baltaxe, LLP can assist with chronic back pain and worker’s comp claims in the San Francisco, CA-area. 

Back pain

Causes of Repetitive Stress Injuries

Rather than being brought on by a sudden and specific event, such as a fall or equipment accident, a repetitive stress injury develops gradually over time. Repetitive stress injuries, or RSIs, are caused by repetitive movements or overuse of certain muscles or tendons. There is a wide range of causes of RSIs such as chronic back pain. Some of the most common causes of RSI include:

  • Frequent bending
  • Awkward movements
  • Performing high-intensity activities for extended periods of time without rest
  • Poor posture while performing certain movements
  • Continual vibrations from work equipment

Symptoms of Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain is a serious risk for those whose jobs require repetitive motions or movement involving awkward body positions. In its early stages, chronic back pain may only be apparent when a person is performing certain movements or tasks. However, without treatment, chronic back pain is likely to become more consistent. Common symptoms of chronic back pain may include:

  • Pains, aches, or tenderness (the pain may be localized or may travel up and down the back)
  • Frequent cramping of back muscles
  • Tingling or numbness
  • Weakness
  • Stiffness of back muscles

Worker’s Comp Benefits

If a repetitive stress injury, such as chronic back pain, is the result of work duties, the victim has a right to worker’s comp benefits. Unfortunately, filing a worker’s comp claim for an RSI can be complicated, because there is not a specific event that can be pointed to as the trigger of the injury. Because of the potential complications of a worker’s comp claim involving a repetitive stress injury, it is important to work with an experienced worker’s comp lawyer, such as those at Smith & Baltaxe, LLP. Our attorneys can gather the evidence that is necessary to prove that chronic back pain is the result of an RSI brought on by work duties. We will fight to ensure our clients receive the worker’s comp benefits they deserve, which may include compensation for medical bills, compensation for time away from work, and any necessary continuing medical care.

Contact Us

If you are suffering from chronic back pain that developed as a result of work duties, it is important to consider your right to worker’s comp benefits. If you have questions about worker’s comp laws or require assistance in filing a worker’s comp claim, the experienced attorneys at Smith & Baltaxe, LLP are here to help. Contact us at your earliest convenience to discuss the details of your injury. We look forward to hearing from you.

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