When Back Pain Prevents You From Working: Your Rights To Workers’ Compensation In Maryland

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints. It can happen to people of all ages, resulting in chronic pain and limited mobility, impacting your ability to make a living. While back pain can happen for a variety of reasons, it can often be caused by conditions on your job. Our Maryland workers’ compensation attorney explains more about the causes and your rights in seeking benefits.

Common Causes of Back Pain and How It Relates To Your Job

According to the Mayo Clinic, back pain is one of the most common reasons behind doctor visits. It can happen for a variety of reasons, can have debilitating long-term impacts on your health, and is a leading cause of disability throughout the United States.

Back pain symptoms can vary from periodic soreness after performing certain tasks to constant burning, shooting, or sharp sensations that radiate throughout the body, making any type of movement difficult. Among the most common causes:

• Soft tissue injuries: Strained muscles and ligaments in the back area can cause major pain and often take long months to heal.
• Bulging or herniated discs: Discs cushion bones throughout the spine but can get pushed out of place due to engaging in certain activities.
• Fractured vertebrae: This can happen due to falls or anytime you overload the spine.
• Arthritis: Age and years of overuse can cause inflammation throughout back bones and tissues.

Back injuries can happen due to sudden accidents or as a result of overstretching, reaching for objects, lifting heavy boxes, and operating tools and machinery. If you suffer any type of back pain before or after performing work-related tasks, notify your employer immediately.

How To Get Maryland Workers’ Compensation Benefits For Back Pain

Benefits available through the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) act as a form of insurance, providing medical care, income replacement, and compensation for long-term disabilities when on-the-job injuries happen. If you suffer back pain that is job-related, you may be entitled to file a claim.

Unfortunately, while workers’ compensation for back pain in Maryland is available, these are among the most contested types of claims. To protect your rights, take the following steps:

• Inform your employer immediately if you suffer from back pain;
• Make sure to get a firm diagnosis from the doctor of your condition and that it is work-related;
• Undergo all recommended testing and treatment;
• Adhere to all work or other activity restrictions;
• File your claim directly with the WCC and reply to all communications and requests for additional evidence as soon as possible.

Our Maryland Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Help You Get The Benefits You Are Entitled To

Work-related back pain is unfortunately common and can have major impacts on your ability to make a living. At Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP we help you get the workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to. Call or contact our office online and request a consultation with our Maryland workers’ compensation attorneys today.

Sources:

mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20369906

wcc.state.md.us/