Sustaining an injury can lead to some difficult times, particularly if the injury is work related. Though they happen often, workplace injuries are not just slips and falls; many times, repetitive motions can strain the muscles and lead to painful injuries.
Some injuries at work are obvious. A fall from a ladder or getting cut from a machine are self-explanatory and may not need much proof. But how do you prove an injury that accumulates over a period, such as nerve damage or carpal tunnel syndrome? It may seem difficult, but with the help of a lawyer experienced in Workers’ Compensation and the following tips, you can prove your injury occurred at work and file a claim for compensation.
Common Work Injuries
Regardless of what industry in which you work, it is your employer’s duty to provide a safe working environment. However, workplace injuries are quite commonplace, especially the following:
- Slip and fall accidents. The most common workplace injury, slips or falls can occur in many different work environments.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome. Another common work injury, carpal tunnel syndrome generally occurs with those working on a keyboard most of the day. Other related nerve injuries occur similarly because the work requires a repetitive and non-ergonomic motion over a certain period, which strains the muscles and surrounding tissue.
- Moving or lifting injuries. Lifting injuries are just as common as slips and falls and happen when someone lifts something without help and causes back and neck problems.
- Falling objects. Although falling objects only account for five percent of workplace injuries, they are among the leaders in workplace deaths.
- Mental stress. Caused by workplace difficulties such as job pressures or overextended hours, mental stress is responsible for five percent of employee absence.
Proving an Injury Is Work Related
Medical records. Should your employer refute your injury claim, the best and most efficient way to prove you are injured is through medical records. Seek medical attention as soon as you are injured or in pain, preferably from your family doctor or a specialist, and maintain those records. You and your doctor will also devise a treatment plan and may possibly provide a timetable for when you can return to work.
Medical records are vital to any Workers’ Compensation claim. Documentation from your doctor can help explain exactly how your injury is directly caused by your job, and what activity may have caused it, such as a repetitive motion that caused back pain.
Eyewitness accounts. Eyewitness testimony is also good for proving an injury at work but may not be as reliable as medical records. Still, witness accounts are still very helpful, especially if it is a coworker, or that there was video footage of the incident. Furthermore, fellow employees may also be suffering from the same injury you have experienced, which will substantiate your claim and may help them come forward as well.
Evidence and facts. When filing a Workers’ Compensation claim, there is a presumption of your injury, meaning that it is presumed to be true. However, if your employer challenges your claim, you will have to provide facts and evidence to support your claim. This includes medical records and eyewitness accounts, as well as any other documentation. Hiring a Workers’ Compensation lawyer will also be the best tool to help you win your claim.
West Chester Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC Help Injured Workers
If you have been injured at work and need assistance, look no further than the West Chester Workers’ Compensation lawyers at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC. Our knowledgeable team has years of experience handling Workers’ Compensation cases, and we will do everything we can for you to obtain the compensation for which you are entitled. Contact us online or call us at 610-594-1600 for a free consultation today. We are located in Exton, Pennsylvania, where we serve clients throughout Downingtown, West Chester, Exton, Coatesville, Phoenixville, Malvern, Lyndell, Wagontown, Uwchlan Township, Parkesburg, Chester Springs, Lancaster County, Reading, and Morgantown.
