No one plans to get hurt on the job. An on the job injury can cause you to miss work. If you’re unable to work because you’ve overexerted your back or legs while you were working, you could be left unable to work. Could you afford to pay for medical expenses, MRIs, x-rays, or medications that you need? Could you afford to pay your bills while you’re unable to work? Workers’ Compensation Workers’ compensation is a safety net that is put into place by state law to protect people who get hurt on the job. Most employers are required to have it in place. If you get hurt on the job, you may qualify to receive helpful benefits. Common benefits include: Help with medical care. If you overexert yourself while lifting or carrying something heavy, you may need physical therapy, crutches, medication, and follow-up appointments. Even if you have health insurance, workers’ compensation can help you cover the expenses associated with your injury. You may qualify for partial lost wages. If you’re unable to work because of your overexerted muscles or ligaments, you may qualify for partial lost wages. Workers’ compensation sometimes provides job training. In some instances, there are people who are unable to return to work because of their on the job injuries. Workers’ compensation may provide those individuals with job training so that they can re-enter the workforce. Workers’ compensation has many benefits, but to get help, you must first file your claim. Overexertion on the Job Although overexertion can occur on any job, there are some jobs that have a higher risk. Construction workers, warehouse workers, delivery drivers, package handlers, and anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet is at risk of overexerting their back, neck, or other muscles. These injuries can be extremely painful. Jobs that involve a lot of turning, lifting, carrying, lowering items, pushing, and pulling can cause overexertion injuries. Symptoms include: Fatigue in the muscles Feelings of dizziness Swelling of the affected body part Weakness Stiff or painful muscles A burning sensation Muscle spasms Limited mobility Total loss of mobility Tenderness Overexertion can also be caused by repetitive stress injuries. This means that cooks, wait staff, administrative workers, and cashiers are also at risk of overexertion. What Should You Do If You’re Hurt on the Job? If you suffer from overexertion, you may not know what to do. First, let your supervisor or manager know. Do not continue to work. Even if the overexertion is minor, continuing to work can make your injury worse. You should consider filing a workers’ compensation claim. You should ask your Human Resources representative to provide you with a list of healthcare providers who can treat you without cost. Consider Speaking With a Workers’ Compensation Attorney If you have an overexertion injury on the job, you should consider speaking with a workers’ compensation attorney. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you by making sure that you understand your rights under the law.
