The construction industry has one of the highest rates of work-related injuries, including a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain. One study found that 40% of construction workers over age 50 had chronic back pain. Back injuries are often the result of years of wear and tear on muscles, spinal discs, and other soft tissue in the lower back. The physical demands of a job can cause abnormal wear and tear to part of the body.
A Kentucky resident who has suffered a back injury caused by a construction accident or years of wear and tear in the construction industry should contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer to discuss your rights. Most employers in Kentucky are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Unfortunately, a workers’ compensation insurance carrier may dispute valid construction worker back injuries to try to avoid paying claims.
If you have suffered debilitating wear and tear to your back from performing your job, there are steps you should take to protect your rights to collect workers’ compensation benefits. One helpful step is to contact an experienced work injury attorney at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer. Our lawyers are known for their Kentucky Courage in standing up for injured workers during the claims process. Our attorneys handle workers’ compensation cases and Social Security Disability claims and have a strong track record of success helping hard-working Kentuckians like you.
What To Do About a Back Injury in Construction Work?
Chronic back pain from lower back strains, herniated discs, and pinched nerves caused by wear and tear, can put a construction worker on his back, unable to work and earn a living. Wear and tear injuries are more common among older workers. Serious back injuries in the construction industry are also caused by working in awkward positions, heavy lifting, trauma suffered in falls and other accidents.
After a back injury caused by construction work, follow these steps:
Seek medical attention immediately. The most important thing to do if you have debilitating back pain or pain radiating down a leg is to see a doctor for medical care and a diagnosis. If you have suffered a serious back injury in a construction site fall, vehicle accident or another accident, get to a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you don’t believe your injury is serious, it’s important to get a medical evaluation to rule out any damage to your spinal cord. Seeing a doctor documents the injury for a potential workers’ comp claim. Be sure to tell the doctor how you were hurt and how long you’ve been working construction. If your back injury developed gradually, tell the doctor how your work task contributed to the condition.
Report the accident to your employer. Let your foreman, a supervisor or the human resources office know you have hurt your back. To qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, you are obligated to report a work-related injury to your employer. This will start the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim. If your first notice is a phone call, follow up in writing immediately and spell out how you were hurt.
Contact a workers’ compensation attorney. Kentucky’s workers’ compensation laws are complicated. What you must do to successfully file a claim can be confusing. Our workers’ compensation attorneys can deal with your claim and seek all benefits available to injured workers. We will try to negotiate with the insurance company to settle your claim. But our workers’ comp attorneys will be ready to present your case to an administrative law judge if needed. We don’t charge any legal fee upfront to file your claim. If we don’t recover benefits for you, you owe us nothing. Let us focus on your claim so you can focus on getting better. Phone (877) 809-5352 now or reach out online to get started with a free case review.
Get The Help You Deserve for a Work-Related Back Injury
You may be eligible to receive compensation on a job-related back injury:
- Workers’ compensation for back injuries in construction. Workers’ comp is no-fault insurance that pays for medical bills, a portion of lost wages, and other expenses related to a workplace injury. Kentucky workers’ compensation law says in part, “Injury is defined as any work-related traumatic event or series of events, including cumulative trauma, arising in the course of employment.”
- Social Security Disability benefits for back injuries in construction. SSDI benefits are for workers who have become totally disabled and cannot perform any type of work. The disability must prevent you from working for at least one year or be expected to lead to your death. SSDI benefits are based on your age and time in the workforce and will provide a portion of your pre-retirement income. Applying for SSDI benefits is a long and difficult process that our experienced attorneys can handle. We will focus on submitting the claim or appealing a denied claim you can focus on your recovery and your loved ones.
Engage An Experienced Work Injury Lawyer in Kentucky
Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer is a Kentucky personal injury law firm that understands how devastating on-the-job injuries can be. Our Kentucky workers’ compensation attorneys investigate work injury claims from all angles. We’ll determine whether you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits and/or Social Security disability. We want to help you recover maximum compensation for your losses.
We offer a free consultation to all prospective clients. There’s no risk or obligation to meet with us. An experienced attorney can review the details of your construction accident or back injury. We’ll determine whether you have a solid case and advise you about the best options for moving forward.
Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation. We are ready to meet with you in our offices in Lexington, Somerset, Manchester, London, Hazard, Paducah, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, or Princeton.
