A lot of people in California and elsewhere know all too well the challenges of living with chronic back pain. For those who suffer back injuries at work, the pain and immobility may prevent them from performing their duties as assigned. What’s more, it can leave them with constant pain and discomfort and a lesser quality of life. Fortunately, the state’s workers’ compensation system can provide much-needed financial relief for those who can no longer work due to a workplace accident.
Symptoms of back injuries
The most common symptom of back injuries is pain. Most of the time, the pain is nearly constant, and the injured person may have a hard time finding relief. Back injuries can affect more than the back since the spine controls all neuromuscular actions within the body. An injured person can feel burning or tingling sensations in the legs and other extremities, and the injury may even lead to incontinence and uncontrolled bowel movements.
Moreover, back injuries can range from relatively minor muscle strains and sprains to herniated and ruptured disks. The injuries can also lead to debilitating conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis. Back injuries have a way of adversely affecting a victim’s entire life, not just his or her work life.
Seeking compensation
California’s workers’ compensation system provides benefits for those who suffered a work-related illness or injury. Since back injuries usually manifest in chronic and debilitating symptoms, the victim will likely have a long and hard road of physical therapy and other medical treatments. In order to ensure he or she receives the maximum amount of benefits, an injured worker will want to work closely with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to increase the chances of obtaining the best outcome possible.