Workplace injuries can easily occur in North Carolina. Some of those involve musculoskeletal disorders. You can seek workers’ compensation if you have suffered from one of these injuries while on the job.
What are musculoskeletal disorders?
Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries or disorders that affect the muscles, joints, cartilage, nerves, tendons and discs of the spine. With workplace injuries that lead to musculoskeletal disorders, there are two key factors that come into play:
- The person’s work environment and their work performance largely contribute to the development of the condition
- The condition can become worse or stay longer due to the person’s working conditions
People who develop work-related musculoskeletal disorders have a right to claim workers’ compensation. These injuries can be debilitating and result from repetitive motions or other motions such as reaching, bending, twisting or crawling. They do not include any type of injuries or disorders that come with slips and falls.
What are examples of musculoskeletal disorders?
There are a few types of injuries that are considered musculoskeletal disorders. They include the following:
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Hernia
- Sprains, strains and tears
Workers who suffer from musculoskeletal disorders on the job often miss time from work. They also suffer from lost productivity and require more healthcare and disability. As a result, they are due workers’ compensation to cover the costs of lost time from work, medical expenses and more. These injuries are often more severe than other work-related injuries.
Workers’ compensation insurance providers state that most musculoskeletal disorders that occur on the job are caused by overexertion while pushing, carrying, lifting, throwing, pulling or holding an object.
Who can you turn to for help?
An attorney could help you if you have a problem with your workers’ compensation claim. If your claim is denied, an attorney may be able to help you appeal and get the benefits you are due.