Help! I've Been Hurt on the Job

In 2019, 2.8 million injuries or illnesses occurred on the job or because of a job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

When you’re injured on the job, you need to get to a doctor right away, so you can get treatment for your injuries and receive compensation for medical care and any resulting disability or disruption to employment. 

Jocelyn R. Idema, DO, and our team at Steel City Spine and Orthopedic Center are experts at handling on-the-job injuries and worker’s compensation claims. We give you a thorough examination and an accurate diagnosis, then recommend a treatment plan. 

We also help you and your lawyer fill out the necessary paperwork for your worker’s comp claim.

Worker’s compensation is insurance

Your employer is required to carry worker’s compensation insurance. This type of insurance provides medical benefits and replacement wages to workers who are injured on the job. 

You can use worker’s comp to cover the cost and treatment of acute injuries from work accidents as well as injuries that you develop over time due to overuse and repetitive motions.

Although the federal government governs the worker’s compensation program, each state maintains its own laws. If you’re injured on the job, notify your supervisor as soon as possible and seek medical evaluation right away.

Common on-the-job injuries

As an experienced spine expert, Dr. Idema treats a variety of work-related injuries in both women and men. Some of the most common types of job-related injuries involved in worker’s compensation claims include:

Strains and sprains

It’s common to develop persistent neck pain and back pain when you use improper lifting techniques, such as lifting from your back instead of your legs. Strained muscles and ligaments or sprained ligaments often occur in jobs that require heavy lifting. 

Falls

If you fall on a slippery surface or trip over an object while on the job, you may suffer broken bones, joint damage, and open wounds. These types of injuries can also damage your soft tissues, leading to pain and disability. 

Falling objects

If you work in a warehouse or similar environment, you may be at increased risk for injuries suffered when objects fall off shelves. A falling object could cause head injuries, open wounds, and chronic neck or back pain.

Overuse injuries

Any job that requires repetitive motions can lead to tears in your muscles and repetitive stress injuries to your joints. Overuse injuries are common in everything from desk jobs to manufacturing. 

These injuries can be painful and interfere with your mobility, especially if you experience joint damage.

Getting care for work-related injuries

Dr. Idema first conducts a comprehensive physical exam. She also orders tests that help her diagnose the full extent of your injuries. 

Pain sometimes radiates from the site of injury to another area of your body, which is why Dr. Idema needs to identify all injured tissues, bones, and nerves.

We then customize a treatment plan for your specific type of injury or injuries. Dr. Idema may recommend:

• Physical therapy to strengthen muscles, ligaments, and tendons
• Cold and hot therapies to stimulate circulation and healing
• Massage to increase circulation of lymph and blood
• Steroid injections to reduce inflammation
• Medications to control pain

She also ensures that you’re fully recovered before giving you the OK to return to work. She may recommend changing the way you move or perform a task to reduce the risk of re-injury.

Don’t delay getting a diagnosis and treatment after you’ve been injured on the job. Contact us today by phone or online request form to book an appointment in our Pittsburgh, McKees Rocks, or Washington, Pennsylvania, office.