Strains and Sprains at Work
Did you suffer a severe sprain or muscle strain at work? Are you struggling to do your job because of your injury? Are you worried about how you’ll cope with all that pain? Have you taken time off to heal?
If you answered yes to these questions, you might be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
At Calhoon and Kaminsky P.C., we focus on helping hardworking men and women like you. Our aim is to help you get the workers’ compensation you’re owed. We want to help you get on the road to recovery.
At Calhoon and Kaminsky P.C., we’ve been serving clients across Pennsylvania for decades. We’ve helped workers recover more than $221 million for their injuries. As you can see by our positive reviews from clients and high-value case results, we have what it takes to fight for the benefits you deserve.
If you or a loved one are suffering from a work-related strain or sprain, contact the skilled and compassionate attorneys at Calhoon and Kaminsky P.C., today. Our experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in PA can evaluate your case for free. We can explore what strategy is best for your personal situation. We won’t charge you anything unless we help you recover compensation.
To set up your free consultation, contact Calhoon and Kaminsky P.C., today or visit us online.
Workers’ Compensation for Strains and Sprains
Under Pennsylvania law, most employers must provide workers’ comp benefits for their employees. These benefits are designed to cover medical expenses for work-related injuries, such as strains and sprains.
Workers’ compensation will pay for some of the wages lost while recovering from an injury. The benefits also pay for any training needed for a new job if your injury makes it impossible for you to do your old job. If your injury is serious and causes permanent total disability, workers’ compensation may provide an average weekly wage for the rest of your life.
Your injury may prevent you from returning to the same job or another one with a comparable wage. In that case, partial disability provides wage replacement compensation for up to 500 weeks. Workers that suffer from disfigurement or a permanently disabled body part may be eligible for specific loss benefits.
The level of compensation an employee can receive will depend on how serious the injuries are, the employee’s average weekly rate, and state-mandated minimum and maximum benefit amounts.
Employees must follow specific timelines in order to get full workers’ comp benefits for their injuries.
Causes of Strains and Sprains
A variety of workplace accidents can lead to strains and sprains. Common causes include:
- Falls
- Slips or trips without falling
- Overexertion while lowering or lifting
- Running or walking on uneven surfaces
- Jumping or throwing
- Performing repetitive actions or standing or sitting in one position for too long
- Wearing improper footwear or other gear
- Workplace violence
Common Types of Strains and Sprains
Strains and sprains are both classified as soft tissue injuries, but they have distinct differences. Sprains happen when ligaments – or the tissue connecting bones at a joint – are torn or stretched. Strains happen when a muscle or tendon – the tissue connecting muscles to bones – are torn or stretched.
While multiple types of strain and sprain injuries are possible after work-related accidents, common types of injuries include:
- Back strains and sprains
- Neck injuries
- Knee strains and sprains
- Foot injuries
- Ankle sprains and strains
- Shoulder injuries
- Hand injuries and strains
- Wrist injuries, sprains, and strains
What to Do If You Suffer a Strain or Sprain at Work
If you suffer a sprain or strain injury at work, take these steps to protect your legal rights:
- Notify your employer. Under Pennsylvania law, employees must usually tell their employer about a workplace injury within 21 days. Employees must file for workers’ comp within three years of the injury. After these dates, workers’ benefits might be significantly reduced or lost completely. When you speak with your employer, you should receive information on your legal rights, as well as a list of company doctors.
- Collect evidence. The amount of compensation you can get after a workplace injury will largely depend on the quality of your initial claim. If your claim doesn’t show sufficient evidence to prove a workplace accident has harmed you, you might miss out on the benefits you’re owed.
After a work-related accident, it’s critical to gather proof of your injuries and the incident that caused them. This might include evidence, such as photographs of your injuries and the accident scene, testimony from medical experts, or accounts from people who witnessed your accident.
- Have your injuries evaluated. If you did not see a doctor when your workplace injury occurred, visit a medical professional as soon as possible. Have your injuries evaluated. The physician can help treat your injuries and help you recover as quickly as possible.
The physician will file a medical report about your injuries. That will be a vital piece of evidence if you file a claim. The medical report can help you prove the severity of your injuries. It can also help you show that a workplace incident caused your injury. The medical report can help prove that the injury was not from a previous accident or an underlying medical condition.
- Contact a skilled attorney. A workers’ compensation lawyer can greatly increase your chances of getting the benefits you deserve for a work-related strain or sprain. A lawyer understands the tricks and strategies that an insurance company might use to reduce or deny your benefits. The lawyer can help you build a solid claim and fight on your behalf.
Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Now
Don’t wait to get the benefits you’re owed after a strain or sprain injury at work. Contact Calhoon and Kaminsky P.C., today, and let us fight for your rights. Our compassionate and skilled workers’ compensation attorneys have what it takes to stand up for you. We can help you get on the road to recovery.
Call us today or reach us online to schedule a free consultation.
