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As today’s personal workspace has changed, the hours we spend sitting and standing on the job have increased. Your job may require you to stay at your desk for extended periods. Many people experience prolonged and chronic pain because of the time they spend working in one spot. The pain can cause a person to need extra care (for instance, physical therapy) and to take off quite a bit of time from work.
If you’ve discussed your workspace issue with your boss, but have seen no changes, you probably feel stuck at a crossroads. You don’t want to lose your job but think your need for a different workspace is of the utmost importance for your physical and mental well-being.
Speak to an Orange County workers compensation lawyer today to find out what you can do about your specific situation.
Many ways exist to temporarily alleviate your pain, especially if your posture is ergonomically correct. This will prevent you from slumping when sitting at your workspace and will keep your spine aligned properly. It will also prevent you from putting a strain on the muscles and ligaments in the lower back.
Another way is to use a footstool as a prop, so your legs will have support and take the pressure off your lower back. You can also try a lumbar pillow to cushion yourself from bad posture. This will force you to sit in a different position, and it will help you in the long run. Physical exercise can be your saving grace when it comes to back discomfort. One of the best ways to cure back pain is to do abdominal crunches two to three times a week. This will strengthen your core muscles and relieve the tension in your back and neck.
Chronic pain and discomfort from work-related injuries occur in all types of work environments. Some of the most common workers’ compensation injury claims are for neck pain, upper and lower back pain, and leg and foot pain due to slips and falls, repetitive motion injuries, and injuries due to over-exertion. It turns out that musculoskeletal injuries are quite common, especially for women in the workplace. You can make workers’ compensation claims for all these injuries.
In California, employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees injured on the job. This insurance should cover medical care, temporary or permanent disability, and in some unfortunate cases, death benefits for the family of the deceased. Of course, all compensation will vary according to the injury of the individual patient.
If you feel your injury or pain is due to your work environment and working conditions, you will need to determine how you received your injury, how your employer is liable, and then you’ll have to prove negligence on behalf of your company in court.
The best way to prove your claim in court is to hire a top-notch legal team. Insurance companies often set the bar of compensation low for those parties who don’t have legal representation. The litigation process can be very complex, and your case may go to trial. In that case, you will want the best representation available.
While the laws pertaining to workers’ compensation are there to protect the individual employee, it is important to do what you can on your own to alleviate your physical issues. Should you decide to pursue a legal claim, your attorneys are there to guide you through the process and give you some peace of mind.