There are many injuries you can end up with from an unexpected fall, and that includes back pain and other conditions that are caused by trauma to the spine. Back injuries are very common among those who injure themselves at work, and there’s no denying that damage to your back has a significant impact in many areas of your life. That’s why you should see a doctor right away if you slipped and fell at work or hurt yourself from tripping over something.
As for the cost of medical treatments and wages lost while you are recovering, this is covered by the state’s workers’ compensation system. The key is to tell your employer right away about the accident and follow their instructions on how to file a worker’s comp claim. First and foremost, they will advise you to see a doctor within their provider network so that your injuries are properly diagnosed and treated.
We agree that medical attention is the first and most important step after a fall-related accident at work. People have a tendency to put up with back pain and not see it as a big deal, but this can be a symptom of serious injury caused by a slip and fall or trip and fall accident. In this article, we will explore the causes of persistent back pain after a fall and treatments that can help you bounce back from a back injury. Furthermore, we will advise you on the steps you can take to obtain compensation to cover your medical treatments and income lost from your job.
If you are in need of advice and guidance from a workplace slip and fall attorney, call the offices of Normandie Law Firm so that we can offer you a free consultation.
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What can Cause Back Pain after a Slip and Fall at my Job?
Back pain is commonly associated with trip and falls, slip and falls, car accidents and many other incidents of trauma to the body. Sometimes, the pain goes away on its own, and thankfully, there is no permanent damage to your back. However, back pain after falling down may be an indication of:
- Fracture – ranging from hairline cracks to severe breaks, fractures in the spinal column can cause difficulty moving, chronic, intense pain, and never damage
- Herniated disc – a herniation occurs when the disc (the layer cushioning the area between the bones) slips out of place, resulting in pain, numbness, or weakness
- Sprain or strain – damage of the ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the back that can limit mobility, weaken the muscles and cause localized pain
- Spinal misalignment – where the force of impact from a fall accident causes the spine to shift from its normal position
- Whiplash – while this is a neck injury, it can cause intense back pain, along with stiffness
Treatment for Back Pain from a Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall
Now that we’ve gone over common injuries that may be the source of your back pain, let’s look at some of the treatment options that may be recommended by a doctor:
- Rest and icing the area – resting the area as much as possible and applying an ice pack can help with pain and inflammation.
- OTC or Prescription Meds – your doctor may prescribe medications or advise that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like Aspirin.
- Physical therapy – physical therapy exercises can strengthen and improve flexibility in your back, thereby increasing the range of motion.
- Massage therapy – therapeutic massages can help to relax the muscles and improve circulation.
- Seeing a chiropractor – in some cases, adjustments from a chiropractor may be useful in reducing pain and restoring function to the injury site.
- Surgery – while this is a last option, some patients will need to undergo a
spinal fusion or another type of back surgery.
Please consult your healthcare provider if there are any unusual symptoms and follow their recommendations, including seeing a back specialist, like an orthopedist that specializes in back and spine injuries.
How Long Do I have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Workers in the state of California have 1 year from whenever they are injured to file a claim for workers’ compensation. But you will need to speak with your employer in order to obtain the claim forms and initiate the process with their insurance company. Notification to your employer must happen within 30 days from the accident, so if you fell down and hurt yourself at work, stop whatever you are doing and talk to your supervisor right away. Or, if you are seriously injured, ask someone to get your supervisor so they can draft an incident report and tell you where to go for medical treatment.
Please note that it’s okay to go to the ER or call 911 before talking to your employer if you have severe injuries, which require immediate medical attention. Just make sure to contact your employer within 30 days and let them know what happened. At some point, you may need a lawyer as well, especially if you were injured on someone else’s property due to a condition that was caused by an individual or entity other than your employer. We have a dedicated team of slip and fall and trip and fall lawyers who are ready to assist you, so please don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Third Party Lawsuit for an Accident at Work
Fortunately, you have the right to workers’ compensation payments for any injuries you sustained at your workplace, or while performing a work-related duty. However, you may also have the right to compensation from a third party if someone other than your employer is responsible for the accident. As an example, you are delivering packages to an office building when you slip on water that’s leaking from a pipe. Even if the owner of the building was unaware of this issue, it’s a dangerous condition that clearly exists on the premises. Thus, you would have the right to file an accident claim against the owner under the law of premises liability.
It can be very complicated to figure out who is liable in these situations. With a privately owned building, it may be the property manager that’s responsible for cleaning and maintenance, so that may be the party you need to sue. Alternatively, you may have been injured on property that’s owned by the government, like a city owned sidewalk, school building, or public park. Government claims have very tight deadlines – 6 months from the incident date – so it’s essential to file the necessary paperwork as soon as possible.
Whatever the circumstance, our law firm is ready to help, 24/7 if you had a work-related accident that resulted in one or more injuries.
What is the Average Value of a Workplace Slip and Fall Accident Case?
How much you can receive in compensation is specific to the injuries you’ve suffered, how many days you’ll miss from work, future health complications, and many other factors. That’s why a workplace fall accident injury claim may have values ranging from $5,000 to over $1,000,000. Overall, we would say that the majority of our clients come to us with fairly serious injuries, especially those working in construction, healthcare, transportation, and warehousing. Many of these individuals end up with settlements that are between $75,000 and $250,000. If the injuries are severe enough to cause disability and eventual job loss, the total amount that can be recovered is likely to exceed $500,000.
For more information on the value of your trip and fall or slip and fall workplace accident claim, schedule a free consultation by contacting our law firm.
How Soon can I Start Getting Paid for a Workplace Injury?
If there are no major complications, a workers’ comp claim is usually processed in a manner of weeks, and many people start getting payments in 3 weeks to 4 weeks. However, if you have disagreements with the insurance company and other issues that can hold up the legal process, it can take several months to over 1 year to work through these problems. Ultimately, we would have to know more about your case to give you a better sense of how long it takes to settle a workplace accident claim. That’s why we encourage you to contact us today and talk to a lawyer that’s experienced in California’s workers’ compensation laws.
Call a Work Accident Injury Lawyer
Thankfully, the state of California provides monetary benefits for those who sustained injuries within the course of their employment. But accessing these payments can be challenging for many claimants, who are unjustly denied workers’ comp or cut off from certain benefits that they are entitled to. A worker’s right injury attorney at our office can help you navigate the legal process and fight to bring you every penny you deserve if you hurt yourself from a slip and fall or trip and fall at work.
We have a Zero Fee Guarantee for all clients, so you pay absolutely nothing to hire one of our legal experts. In essence, we work on contingency, so we only get paid by receiving a portion of your settlement at the end of your case. So, if we are unsuccessful in securing the benefits you deserve by law, you will not be responsible for any legal fees.
We hope you will give us the opportunity to advise you of your rights and legal options. Contact us right away and schedule a free case evaluation.
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