If you have developed bursitis while at work, it can be a very worrying situation, especially if you realize you will have to take several weeks off work to fully recover from the injury. This could mean severe financial hardship. Fortunately, it’s not as bad as it seems because most workers in the country should be entitled to workers’ compensation. If you have been told you are suffering from bursitis due to the nature of your job, workers’ compensation may cover you for part of any loss of wages and the cost of medical treatment to relieve you of the burden of bursitis. How Bursitis Might Lead to a Workers’ Comp. Claim Bursitis caused by an injury doesn’t just occur overnight but can take time to fully develop. The tendons, joints, or muscles that are close to the bursa could have been used too often which is usually as a result of repetitive movements. These injuries originate from workers performing the same motions time and time again. It can occur at the elbow or knee from kneeling or leaning for long periods of time. Whatever the recommended treatment is, the time taken to recover may be quite long and it might not be possible to return to work for several weeks. You may need to take a considerable period of time off work, especially if your job requires strength and mobility, such as a carpenter. A carpenter earns an average annual wage of $42,005 ,which works out to be about $20.24 per hour, or nearly $800 per week. This is a lot to lose if you don’t have workers’ comp. The Injuries You Get From Bursitis Constantly sanding or planing timber can cause bursitis of the elbow, while kneeling or leaning can cause bursitis to the knee. An injury can irritate the tissue inside the bursa and cause inflammation. It is statistically one of the commonest work-related injuries because so many workers are involved in repetitive tasks. High Numbers of Workplace Injuries Are Due To Bursitis Disorders like bursitis make up a considerable number of workplace injuries which in turn result in many work days lost due to the injury. Billions of dollars are paid out each year due to bursitis to the shoulder, knee, lower back or elbow. Jobs Where Bursitis Can Occur Common jobs in which you could get compensation for bursitis are the most prevalent for jobs where you are on your knees or have to crawl for an extended amount of time. Some include, but certainly not limited to are: Carpenters Construction Workers Roofers Gardeners and landscapers Electricians IT Professionals No matter what profession you are in, if you suffered bursitis on the job and believe it will make it difficult for you to continue working, you could be eligible for a workers' compensation claim. This is especially true if you were diagnosed with bursitis due to negligence on behalf of your employer. The Cost Of Bursitis Bursitis is an inflammation of or an irritation of the bursa. The bursa, which is a sac filled with fluid that lubricates, is located between the different tissues, such as tendons, muscles, ligaments, skin, and bone, and is designed to help reduce friction, irritation, and rubbing. Bursitis can be caused by an injury that irritates the tissue inside the bursa, leading to inflammation. It could because the tendons, joints, or muscles close to the bursa were overused. Often, repetitive movements, such as those done on the job, can lead to bursitis. Bursitis requires medical treatment because it is painful and can be debilitating. There are different treatment options for bursitis. The treatment option used depends on the nature and severity of the condition and the patient response to treatment. The joint requires as much rest as possible. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as naproxen or ibuprofen, are used to help reduce swelling and relieve pain. When you have bursitis, you will have the cost of doctor visits, over-the-counter medications, and possibly prescription drugs, injections, and physical therapy. The cost of treating bursitis can range from $500 on up to $5,000. CostHelper* reports that a single cortisone injection could cost as much as $300. Sometimes over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines aren’t enough, and corticosteroids and pain medications must be prescribed. How To Calculate Your Claim For Bursitis When you are filing a workers’ compensation claim because you have suffered bursitis because of your work duties, all your medical expenses should be considered. These medical expenses include, but aren’t limited to, the following: Doctor visits Physical therapy Prescriptions Medical devices Future medical costs – such as future surgeries or physical therapy Document all your missed work and lost wages Consider any future loss of earnings You will need to maintain documentation and evidence to support your workers’ compensation claim. Your claim will need to be filed, with the proper supporting documentation, in a timely manner. You should familiarize yourself with the state laws regarding workers’ comp where you live, so you can make sure you meet deadlines and adhere to the proper procedures and guidelines. If you obtain any evidence or documentation that might be helpful to your claim, be sure to keep it for future reference. Also, think of your injury and whether there were any witnesses. Witness statements can be very beneficial to your claim’s success, so ask any witnesses to provide you with written statements. Also, get the full names of any witnesses and include contact details. Be sure to follow doctor’s orders and maintain copies of all physician notes and medical excuses. The more documentation that you have that supports your case, the more likely you are to have a successful claim and be awarded workers’ compensation benefits for your bursitis. The Value Of Your Bursitis Claim Several things are considered when a bursitis claim is being settled. First, they will look at the severity of the injury, the amount of your medical bills, and the time you will be off work while you recover. Any future expenses associated with your medical care, or any future time off work will be considered while you are negotiating a settlement with the workers’ comp insurer for your employer. Of course, the more your medical bills add up to be and the longer you must be off work then the more your workers’ comp settlement would be worth. Maintaining evidence and documentation is essential to the success of your workers’ compensation claim. If you don’t meet the deadlines and ensure everything is filed with the popular entity on time, you can lose access to the workers’ compensation benefits that you need. Your entire family could suffer financially after you are injured while on the job because they depend on your income. Also, your additional medical bills will add to the household costs. When you are approved for workers’ compensation, you will have your medical care covered if you see an in-network provider, and you will also receive about two-thirds your regular salary while you are recovering from the workplace accident. There is no average bursitis settlement, but instead, it is based off several different factors. Your workers’ compensation lawyer will make sure your claim is filed on time and that you are treated fairly throughout the claims process. What You Will Be Paid In a Workers’ Comp Payment For Bursitis If you are entitled to workers’ compensation you will be paid a certain percentage of your current income plus whatever it costs in medical treatment. If the bursitis appears to be chronic you may need additional help to ensure you can return to normal life. Any treatment costs are covered by your workers’ compensation. There are situations that may occur due to bursitis which include: Temporary Total Disability where your bursitis stops you from undertaking your job for a short period of time. Permanent Total Disability is unlikely to occur with bursitis but it might happen if you do not recover at all. Temporary Partial Disability occurs when the bursitis means you can’t perform all the parts of your job. Permanent Partial Disability takes place when you can’t perform the duties for certain parts of your job due to bursitis. You Will Need To Gather Evidence to Prove Your Claim Your doctor will undertake diagnostic tests which will confirm that you are suffering from bursitis. You should keep hold of these results and how much any specialty tests and doctor’s appointments cost, preferably in an easy to read and understand format. If you have been feeling the pain from bursitis over a period of time you should make sure you have witnesses to help you prove it. This should be from work colleagues, supervisors and managers who know the discomfort you have been experiencing. Tips For Getting The Settlement The workers’ compensation process is very complicated. With the help of a workers’ comp lawyer, you are much more likely to get your issue resolved and reach a fair settlement amount. The state laws vary, but after a settlement has been agreed between you and the workers’ comp insurer, a judge must review the details then sign off on it to approve your claim. After the judge has executed the agreement, it will take a couple of weeks to get your check sent to the attorney’s office. After the attorney receives the check, any outstanding medical expenses will be paid then the legal fees will be deducted. The remaining balance will be transferred to you. While you can do whatever you choose with your remaining funds, be sure to consider any future medical expenses or any future missed work that you might have because of the accident. You will want to look at your situation long term, so you may want to save some funds for the future related expenses. Remember, you will not be receiving any additional funds. All the compensation you are entitled to for your bursitis will be awarded as part of the settlement that you receive from your employer’s insurer. You May Need To Speak To an Attorney If you don’t know how to file a workers’ comp claim or you don’t know how to calculate the right amount that will cover you fully for painful bursitis talk to an experienced workers’ comp attorney. The attorney not only understands your problem, but knows how much workers’ compensation you are likely to receive. If you are suffering from bursitis because of a work-related injury or because of the repetitive movements your job requires, you should consult with a workers’ compensation attorney who is experienced in handling workplace injury claims in your state. Schedule your Free Case Evaluation today so you can make sure your claim is filed before the deadline. Waiting too long can cost you workers’ comp benefits that you need during a trying time. *health.costhelper.com/corticosteroid-injection.html
