The injuries you can suffer at work range from minor scrapes and abrasions to serious injuries, such as joint damage. Back injuries are some of the most common and difficult to treat of all potential occupational injuries.
People often have inaccurate ideas about who is most at risk for a back injury. While there are certain professions that are highly dangerous, that doesn’t mean that only those in high-risk environments can hurt themselves on the job.
Even those who work in the medical field providing care for others can suffer debilitating injuries to their back as part of the job. In the event that that happens, medical workers ranging from hospital aides to physical therapists have the right to seek California workers’ compensation to help them during their recovery.
Patient lifting is one of the riskiest parts of the job
Handling patients is a difficult and demanding process. Depending on the age and medical condition of the patient, you may have to employ extreme caution to prevent injury to someone while helping them. That often means that medical staff do most of, if not all of, the heavy lifting for patients with mobility issues.
Unfortunately, the modern American is quite heavy, which can place dangerous amounts of pressure on your back when you attempt to lift someone, especially from a position down low, such as on the floor. Although there are safe lifting practices in place, many medical professionals have to make snap judgments about the care that their patients need.
In some situations, they may not feel like waiting for additional help is in the best interest of the patient. The steps that medical professionals take to ensure the well-being of their patients can often endanger their own health and even their ability to continue working.
Back injuries often mean missing work for medical professionals
Caring for patients is very hands-on. Unlike many professions where an employer can easily accommodate an injury by shifting a worker to different responsibilities, doing so can be nearly impossible in active medical settings.
A medical professional needs to be able to respond quickly to signs of distress in their patients. Workers with serious injuries may not be able to provide the care someone needs in a moment of crisis, which means they will have to take time off of work in order to heal. Workers’ compensation is important during the convalescent period, as it helps ensure that injured medical professionals can take the time they need to heal without risking their financial stability.
Connecting with workers’ compensation benefits can be a nerve-racking process after an injury leaves you unable to work. Partnering with an attorney can make things easier and improve your chances of filing a successful claim.
