Most of us have back pain at some point, especially as we get older. At times, it might seem like almost anything you do causes back pain.
You may experience back pain after sitting in a car or on an airplane too long, from sleeping in an uncomfortable position or even from healthy activities, such as yoga. If there are so many activities that cause our backs to hurt, could back pain be a workplace injury?
The answer is yes, back pain can absolutely be a workplace injury. In fact, work-related back pain is a common cause of missed days from work and loss of productivity among New York workers.
Even if you experience back pain from other causes, an injury at work could result in a legitimate back injury or increase your ongoing back pain.
Causes of work-related back injuries
There are many different causes of work-related back injuries and they can happen in any type of job. You might associate back injuries with blue-collar jobs that require a lot of physical movement but back injuries also occur in white-collar “desk” jobs, which involve sitting in uncomfortable chairs and/or positions for several hours at a time.
Other common causes of work-related back injuries include heavy lifting, falls, repetitive movement or activities that require stretching and twisting your body to reach heavy objects. If you operate machinery at work, driving over rough areas that causes your body to vibrate can cause a back injury.
If the back pain you normally experience becomes worse or will not go away, a visit to your doctor could be in order. A doctor can perform a thorough examination to determine if the change in your back pain is caused by a work-related injury.
What to expect from a doctor’s visit
A doctor can perform various tests, such as imaging tests, to determine the exact cause of the back injury. A doctor should ask you several questions about your work history, including any activities you might have performed recently that may have injured your back.
Remember that back pain from a work injury can be caused by one specific event, such as blunt force to your back, or several small events, such as repetitive motions over time.
If your back injury is established to be work-related, you can apply for workers’ compensation benefits while your injury heals. Having back pain before your injury does not prevent you from seeking benefits.
Proving your workers’ compensation claim
To successfully recover workers’ compensation benefits, you must prove your back injury is work-related. Evidence to help prove this includes doctor’s notes, medical records and witness statements by anyone who saw your accident or injury occur.
Filing for workers’ compensation involves many steps with strict requirements and deadlines. When it comes to a back injury, an insurance company may push back on your claim, arguing that the injury was not work-related due to your prior back pain. You need someone on your side to help you get the benefits you are entitled to.