If you have suffered an injury in an accident at work, that is much easier to prove than if you are suffering from a repetitive trauma injury or from chronic pain caused by your regular work duties. Proving that your chronic pain is caused by your work tasks could be challenging. To have a successful workers’ compensation claim for chronic pain, there are several things that you must do to prove that your injuries are work-related. Proving Chronic Pain is Work-Related There are several things that you can do to prove that your chronic pain is caused by your duties at work. While it can be difficult to prove and is subjective, it is often disabling. It might require ongoing medical care. Here are a few tips for showing your chronic pain is work-related: Document the pain Take note of your activities and how the pain varies Collect all kinds of supportive evidence Talk to fellow employees who have similar symptoms Enlist the help of a workers’ compensation attorney Common Causes of Chronic Pain There are several causes of chronic pain. There can be dozens of conditions that can result in chronic pain, and most of them could be work-related. Here are some examples of the culprits that cause chronic pain: On-the-job accidents Repetitive motions Overuse or overextension of a body part A combination of the previously mentioned causes Often, chronic pain caused from work can be tracked to an originating issue, such as a slip and fall that caused a neck or back injury or repetitive wrist and hand movements that led to nerve damage. According to the American Chronic Pain Association, there are about 100 different medical conditions that can cause chronic pain and most of them are difficult to prove because they are invisible to the human eye. Here are some examples of causes of chronic pain: Neuropathy Stress Carpal tunnel syndrome Ulnar tunnel syndrome Tarsal tunnel syndrome Pinched nerves Herniated discs Post-traumatic stress disorder Proving Your Workers’ Compensation Claim To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, you must prove that your injuries and chronic pain were caused by your work duties. There are many legitimate claims denied every year, but it is often because workers’ compensation insurers and employers don’t want to pay for claims that are not legitimate. To have a successful claim, you will need to present convincing evidence that is applicable to your specific pain, so you can show that your claim is for a work-related condition. Consult With a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer b If you are suffering from chronic pain that is work-related, consult with a workers’ compensation attorney who is licensed in your state. You want to make sure you have legal representation to help you aggressively pursue the benefits that you are entitled to receive. To get your free case review, complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page. A workplace injury lawyer will review the details of your claim and make recommendations. Additional Resources What Do I Need Prepared for My Workers’ Compensation Claim? What Types of Injuries Does a Workers’ Compensation Claim Cover?
