Once a hernia has established itself, it will be impossible to continue working without making the injury worse. Fortunately, it should be possible to claim workers’ compensation to pay for any medical treatment and compensate for wags that may have to be forfeited through absence from work. One of the risks of a physically demanding job is a serious or painful work-related injury. For example, if you work in a big store like Lowe’s, especially in the warehouse section, you are expected to lift and carry heavy objects all day. This can put quite a lot of pressure on parts of your body such as your back. One other quite common injury in this sort of job is a hernia. A workers’ compensation attorney can help with a hernia claim. Causes of Hernias and Treatment A hernia is a consequence of too much exertion or the wrong sort of exertion. A part of the abdominal tissue finds its way through a gap in the abdominal muscle and protrudes against the skin. This can be very painful, but will usually heal by itself with time and rest. Occasionally, surgery may be needed. Hernias may be caused by heavy lifting without effective lifting aids. This is a typical sort of injury in a warehouse or where items for sale are routinely shifted around and carried on to shelves or places where they are exhibited in a store showroom. Hernias are easily diagnosed, but because workers’ compensation is only accepted for workplace related injuries, it is important to ask your doctor to give an opinion about how the hernia developed. Treatment may include taking painkillers, having a special strap attached to the body to hold in the protruding tissue and encourage it to return to its normal position. Surgery may be needed if the hernia is not naturally recovering. Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim for a Hernia Against Lowe’s If you develop a hernia while at work, you should inform your supervisor that you will be seeking treatment and may not be at work until you recover. The nature of the injury, how it happened, when it happened should all be officially recorded by your employer for the purpose of later claiming workers’ compensation. You should have your injury diagnosed by a doctor. In some cases, your employer may insist you use a specific doctor, a least for the initial diagnosis. The doctor will advise you of what treatment you should have based on the seriousness of the hernia. Make sure you collect any medical report about your condition and bills or invoices for all treatment, including the cost of painkillers. The state in which you are working will have rules about workers’ compensation claims, especially the time limits you have for each stage of a claim and the appeal procedure you may need to follow if your claim is denied. A Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help You with Your Claim Not all workers’ compensation claims are accepted readily. It can help to have a discussion with a workers’ compensation attorney before you file your claim to make sure you have included everything you need to include. Not all claims are accepted, and your claim maybe denied if the insurer doubts whether your hernia was work related. An attorney can help with an appeal against such a decision. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation today to get in touch with a participating, independent attorney who subscribes to the website. *Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Lowe’s, or another party, you may not be entitled to any compensation. Additional Resources Hernias and Workers' Compensation How To Appeal Denied Lowe’s Workers’ Compensation Claim
