Back Injuries and Florida Workers’ Compensation Claims
Back injuries are common on the job and among the most contested Florida workers’ compensation claims. If you suffered a back injury in Fort Lauderdale, it’s important to know what you are up against.
Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer helps clients in these cases, protecting them against insurer tactics designed to deny or delay benefits. Find out common types of back injuries that qualify for workers’ comp in Florida and why these claims draw more scrutiny from insurers.
Work-Related Back Injuries That Qualify for Workers’ Comp in Florida
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that back injuries account for over 20 percent of all workplace injuries in the U.S., with the highest rates in healthcare, warehousing, construction, and transportation. Under Section 440.13 of the Florida Statutes, employers and their insurers must cover all medically necessary treatment when work-related back injuries happen, whether from a sudden accident or due to overuse and other conditions that developed over time.
Common work-related back injuries in Fort Lauderdale that may qualify include:
- Herniated and bulging discs caused by a fall, sudden heavy lift, or years of repetitive physical labor.
- Lumbar fractures resulting from a fall from height, a vehicle accident during work duties, or a direct impact on the job.
- Muscle strains and ligament sprains from a sudden awkward movement, overexertion, or sustained physical demands.
- Spinal cord injuries due to severe workplace accidents.
- Degenerative disc disease that was accelerated or made significantly worse over time by the physical demands of the job.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), treatment for back injuries often includes physical therapy and long-term pain management, as well as potential injections, surgeries, or other procedures. When they happen on the job in Fort Lauderdale, workers’ compensation benefits cover the costs.
Why Insurers Dispute Fort Lauderdale Back Injury Workers’ Comp Claims
Back injuries are common, but they are also among the most disputed types of workers’ compensation claims. Common reasons insurers give for disputing benefits:
- Arguing that back injuries are pre-existing and unrelated to any workplace event
- Disputing pain levels, functional limitations, and other impacts.
- Difficulty making a firm diagnosis, as back injuries may not appear on X-rays or other tests.
- IME physicians frequently assign lower impairment ratings on back injury claims than treating physicians.
In addition to the above, work-related back injuries in Fort Lauderdale often require long treatment timelines, and the longer a claim runs, the more opportunities the insurer has to dispute, downplay, or deny your claim.
For Help Getting Your Benefits, Request a Consultation With Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you suffered back injuries on the job in Fort Lauderdale, don’t be surprised when the insurer tries to deny or dispute your claim. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer protects clients in these cases, deals with insurers on their behalf, and fights for the maximum they deserve.
To make the best possible recovery, contact the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. Request a consultation at our Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach office today.
Sources:
bls.gov/opub/ted/2018/back-injuries-prominent-in-work-related-musculoskeletal-disorder-cases-in-2016.htm
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/Sections/0440.13.html
stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/212895