Suffered An Overextension Injury At Work? Do This Right Now

Overextension injuries are the most common injury type in workplaces across the country. These injuries occur when you pull, lift, carry, or push too hard, straining your muscles.

A significant amount of overextension injuries are strains or sprains, many of which occur to the back. These injuries can keep you away from extended periods, and may also affect your future on the job.

If you’ve suffered an overextension injury while on the job, you should file a workers comp claim to make sure you get the benefits you are entitled to. This can help you make up for lost wages, as well as any medical or therapy costs.

Although you can file a workers comp claim on your own, the best way to make sure you receive benefits is to reach out to a skilled workers comp attorney.

Different Types Of Overextension Injuries

If lifting is a big part of your job, then overextension injuries are much more likely. These injuries can also be caused by pulling or holding heavy weights.

In most cases, overextension injuries are caused by sprains and strains to ligaments and muscles.

Sprains

Sprains occur when the ligaments are stretched or torn. There are a few different degrees of sprains:

First Degree

These sprains are caused by mild stretching of the ligaments. They usually only cause minor pain, and result in little swelling and few movement issues.

Second Degree

With a second degree sprain, the ligaments are stretched out and partially torn. You’ll likely experience moderate pain and swelling, and you may have issues moving the injured area.

Third Degree

With a third degree sprain, the ligaments are completely torn. The joints may also be unstable, and you’ll likely experience serious pain, swelling, and discoloration. Surgery may be needed to fix the ligaments.

Strains

Strains occur when soft tissue such as tendons or muscles is damaged. Like sprains, they also come in three degrees:

First Degree

Mild stretching, tearing, or pulling of soft tissue. You might experience mild pain and some swelling, with few issues moving around.

Second Degree

These strains cause more tearing of the muscle or tendon fibers, and can lead to moderate to serious pain and swelling. Your muscles will likely be tight and moving around could be difficult.

Third Degree

With third degree strains, the muscle is pulled off the tendon, leading to severe pain and swelling. Movement will be very difficult, and you may need surgery to fix the injury.

These injuries can occur just about anywhere on the body, and it’s possible to both strain and sprain an area.

Where Overextension Injuries Occur

The back is by far the most common area of the body injured by overextension. This can lead to serious mobility problems, and it can make it difficult to lift any heavy objects.

Shoulder injuries are the second most common body part injured by overextension, followed by the upper and lower extremities.

No matter where an overextension injury occurs, it can lead to serious mobility problems, and you may be unable to carry out basic tasks at work.

What To Do After An Overextension Injury At Work

If you’ve been injured at work, the most important step to take is to get medical care right away. If you continue to work while injured, you could further damage your body, leading to a more serious sprain or strain.

Once you’ve received immediate medical care for your injury, you need to make sure that you file a report on the accident. This will be the basis for any damages you seek later on, so try to be as detailed as possible.

Report the injury to your employer, making sure to note when and where it occurred, as well as the severity of the accident. Your employer will then submit the report to their insurance company.

If you don’t report your injury soon after it occurs, you may not be eligible for workers comp benefits.

In the case of an injury that develops over time, you should report it to your employer as soon as you receive a diagnosis from your doctor. If you don’t, the insurance company can claim that the injury did not occur at work.

Types Of Compensation You Can Receive

After an overextension injury at work, there are a number of different types of benefits you could receive. The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries, as well as how much time you have to spend away from work.

Here are some of the main types of benefits you could receive:

Medical Bills

If your injury was due to your work, your employer’s workers comp policy may be responsible for paying for a portion of your medical expenses.

You may also be able to receive compensation for any physical therapy that is required as a result of your injuries.

Disability

If your overextension injury leaves you unable to perform your job, you may be able to receive benefits to cover the wages you lose while away from work.

The amount of disability benefits you receive will depend on the amount of time you are able to work.

Permanent Disability

If you are unable to return to work at full capacity, you may be able to receive permanent disability for your injuries.

Training Vouchers

In some cases, workers are able to go back to work, but can’t perform their old job, since they are unable to lift heavy objects. If this is the case, your workers comp benefits may cover job training so that you can find another type of work.

Death Benefits

If you lost a loved one due to a workplace injury, you may be able to receive benefits to cover the sudden loss of income, as well as final expenses.

Filing Your Claim

If you’ve been injured, ask your employer for a workers comp form. If they are not cooperating, try to get the form from another division, or find it on your company’s website.

Fill out the portion of the form that is marked for employees, and then have your employer fill out the rest. Once the form is sent to the insurer, they have to give you a status update within 14 days.

Insurance companies will have to make a decision on your case within a certain amount of time. If they do not notify you, then they have to cover your injury.

Find A Skilled Workers Compensation Attorney

Navigating the workers comp claim process after an overextension injury can be a nightmare. You have to keep track of forms and bills while fighting with aggressive insurance companies, all while you try to focus on your recovery.

Instead of filing your claim alone, reach out to an experienced workers comp attorney. At Davis & Sanchez, we have years of experience representing workers and fighting for their rights.

We know how difficult it can be to receive the benefits you are entitled to. That’s why we fight insurance companies and uncooperative employers for you.

If you’ve suffered an overextension injury at work, contact us today to see how we can help your case. We offer free case evaluations, where we’ll discuss your claim and the amount of benefits you may be entitled to.