Job-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries, Illinois Attorneys Discuss

Sometimes you try to ignore it. Tough it out. Play through it. Take an extra aspirin or pain killer. But sometimes, muscle pain just won’t go away and eventually overwhelms you. You can feel the pain in your lower back when you remember the patient you lifted as part of your job. Or when you swung a hammer that afternoon and felt a radiating pain by closing time. Now, it’s the next day. Or the day after. And the pain’s still there. The pain’s still real. And it won’t go away.

THE LANGUAGE OF MUSCLE PAIN AND INJURY AT WORK

Jobs that entail, demand or require lifting, reaching, pushing, pulling or any kind of repetitive motion can put a worker at greater risk for muscle injuries. Construction and warehouse workers know this. The same goes for health care workers, delivery drivers and truck operators. Tendons are torn and ligaments pulled. So are biceps, quads, hams, pecs, delts, ankles, shoulders and lower backs every day at work. There are at least 650 muscles in the human body. A big pain in one can make us forget the other 649. 

At Schweickert & Ganassin, LLP, our workers’ compensation attorneys know the impact these injuries can have. Those who suffer from repetitive motion injuries are also eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Here in Illinois, injured workers are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, including 100 percent coverage for all necessary medical treatment. Those benefits also include two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly paycheck while unable to work.   

What to do when injured at work 

The first thing you should do after being injured at work is stop working and contact your boss. Rest is important to recovery, and that means you need to stop working until you are cleared to return by a doctor. In most cases, these musculoskeletal injuries can be made better by doctors or physical therapy, therapeutic massage, chiropractic care, acupuncture or acupressure and/or, in some cases, surgery. 

Some do complain that their entire bodies ache or are sore. That muscles burn or twitch. The most common symptoms of musculoskeletal injuries are: 

• Persistent pain 
• Fatigue 
• Trouble sleeping 

Sometimes, the process of applying for benefits can be more complicated than it appears. Employers must be notified of the injury. Paperwork needs to be filled out with the pertinent information. Deadlines must be met. Employers and insurance companies may dispute the extent of your injury and how much you are owed. This is where a workers’ compensation attorney at Schweickert & Ganassin, LLP can be a big help in getting you what you deserve. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.