Sustaining a musculoskeletal injury as a CNA
As a home health worker, you’re accustomed to caring for others and assisting with their day-to-day activities. But, since your workplace injury, the roles have reversed and now you’re the one in need of care. After lifting a patient, you are beginning to wonder if you’ve sustained a musculoskeletal injury. As of right now, you may have more questions than answers.
Here’s a brief overview of musculoskeletal injuries and how workers’ compensation benefits can help you to obtain relief.
What are musculoskeletal disorders?
Lifting a patient can put home health workers at high risk for injury. Injuries to one’s muscles, nerves, joints, bones, blood vessels, and tendons are just some of the causes of musculoskeletal disorders. You may experience these injuries while lifting or pushing a patient. Following the injury, some have reported feeling pain, numbness, and stiffness.
What should I do if I am injured at a client’s home?
Taking the appropriate steps following an injury can be beneficial if you choose to file a workers’ compensation claim. First and foremost, it’s important to seek out medical care as soon as you are able. Consulting with a physician right away can help to prevent the injury from worsening. In addition, it can be a good idea to photograph the location where the injury occurred and the point of injury. Lastly, the law requires that you notify your employer in writing within four days of your injury and reporting it verbally does not suffice.
What are the benefits of filing a workers’ compensation claim?
Some injured employees neglect to file a claim because they do not feel that it is serious enough to report. But beware – some injuries have delayed symptoms and cause more damage as time goes on. Filing a claim can help to get you the benefits that you are entitled such as providing medical coverage, vocational training, and wage loss.
Keep in mind that your employer’s insurance company may deny your claim. When this happens, you will need to act to try to get your claim approved. Hiring a workers’ compensation attorney can help you to fight for your benefits and ensure that you can get the assistance you need.
