CHARLESTON BACK INJURY LAWYERS
We’re Here To Help Injured Workers Secure Compensation In Central Illinois & Beyond
The more physical labor you perform on the job, the more likely you are to suffer a back injury—but even workers with more sedentary jobs may end up in pain due to their job duties or ergonomics. Unfortunately, these injuries can be difficult to vanquish: One in three workers with a lower back injury suffered recurring pain over the course of a year-long study. If left untreated, back injuries can cause chronic pain or other serious disabilities.
Many workers know they need treatment but cannot afford to take time off or visit a specialist. If you are in this situation, you should know most employees in Illinois are covered by workers’ compensation. We can help you determine whether you’re eligible to file a claim—and then fight to help you secure compensation for your injuries.
Call Spiros Law, P.C. today at (217) 516-3451 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Charleston back injury lawyers.
The Prevalence Of Back Injuries Among Workers
Adults of working age are the most likely demographic to develop a back injury, and around 1 in 5 workplace injuries reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) each year is a back injury. More than 1 million workers hurt their backs on the job each year. Most of these injuries are repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) or overexertion injuries.
Workers can suffer a back injury in any job if their workplace has poor ergonomic design. However, the vast majority of back injuries are caused by lifting heavy objects. The workers likely to suffer these injuries are:
- Nursing assistants
- Stock clerks and order fillers
- Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers
- Maintenance and repair workers
- Janitors and cleaners
- Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
We can represent workers in any of these industries in Central Illinois, as well as those whose jobs aren’t listed above.
Types Of Work-Related Back Injury
Though the occasional workplace accident can cause a serious traumatic injury, like spinal cord damage, most job-related back injuries are the result of lifting and/or carrying heavy objects. These injuries tend to affect the lower back and cause symptoms including:
- Pain that may worsen when you move
- Cramping or muscle spasms
- Difficulty standing in certain positions
- Sharp or burning pain in the arms or legs
- Numbness or tingling
- Unusual muscle weakness
Some workers may hear or feel a pop when the injury happens; others may simply start to experience symptoms. If this happens to you, the most important thing is to stop what you are doing and report the injury. You do not want to make your situation worse by continuing to stress your back. You should also visit a doctor, who can provide a diagnosis and treatment regimen.
Workplace back injuries tend to fall into one of three categories:
- Strains: Muscles that have been overused or overstretched
- Sprains: Ligaments torn by sudden movements
- Herniated Disk: A loss of cushioning ability in the spine due to strain
Any one of these injuries, if left untreated, can cause lasting symptoms. You do not want to find yourself with chronic back pain, loss of mobility, or even nerve damage.
It’s also important to your workers’ compensation case that you take sufficient steps to mitigate the harm. If you suffer complications because you did not seek treatment, a workers’ compensation insurer may deny your claims for the additional treatment you need.
When Can I File A Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Along with being more common than most other injury types, back injuries cause more missed days of work each year than any other complaint except the common cold. This means you may lose wages along with having unexpected medical bills. If your injury comes with any additional expenses, even if they are minor, it’s worth looking into a workers’ compensation claim. Larger claims may also necessitate the support of an attorney if the insurer tries to deny you the compensation you deserve.
One concern we often hear about back injuries is workers blaming themselves for the injury. However, you can make a workers’ compensation claim no matter who was at fault (or even if you can’t identify the cause of your injury directly). Even if you made a mistake that led to your injury, you are still eligible to recover compensation. Our attorneys can further explain your legal rights if you have questions.
Your Back Injury Claim Can’t Wait
The most important thing after an injury is having enough time to fully heal. However, financial pressures can make it seem difficult to take time off, not to mention the costs of potentially having to visit a specialist and attend physical therapy. Workers’ compensation is made to protect people like you who are in this situation—and we urge you to reach out to our team to see what we can do to ease your mind.
As a locally owned firm, we devote our complete care and attention to every client we help in Coles County. Sometimes, this means providing advice and support on the financial and medical issues you are facing. Sometimes, it simply means taking the time to listen to your story. After you share what you need, we’ll share what we know, and let you know what you can expect from us. Spiros Law, P.C. is respected among the legal community for our compassion and open communication with our clients. Come meet us today in a free consultation to learn what we can do for you.
