Workers’ Compensation is an insurance system that provides injured employees with benefit payments to help them make ends meet while they recover from their injuries. Although lumbar strain might not sound serious, it can be debilitatingly painful and is eligible for Workers’ Compensation.
If you experience lumbar strain because of an accident at work or from strenuous work activities, you may be eligible for a Workers’ Compensation claim. People do not often associate lumbar strain with accidents, but they can be extremely painful injuries that prevent people from returning to work. Whether your injury resulted from a single work-related accident or occurred over time, you can file a Workers’ Compensation claim. If approved, you may collect weekly benefits payments for your lumbar strain.
After experiencing lumbar strain while on the job, injured workers might be unable to return to work for a while. Our Arkansas Workers’ Compensation lawyers can help you file a claim for benefits. For a free case review, call our offices today at (479) 316-0438.
What Happens if I Suffer Lumbar Strain at Work in Arkansas?
A work-related injury can strike anywhere at any time. While we often think of work-related accidents and injuries as part of inherently dangerous jobs, even office workers or other people in seemingly safe positions may be affected. One such injury that might render an employee incapable of returning to work is lumbar strain.
It is not unusual for workers experiencing lumbar strain to write off their injury as “just a bad back.” Some injured employees might use sick days to nurse their back until they are well enough to return to work. If you find yourself using up all your sick days to deal with lumbar strain, it might be time to consider filing a Workers’ Compensation claim.
Not every workplace injury is eligible for Workers’ Compensation, and our Bella Vista Workers’ Compensation attorneys can evaluate your case and determine if you should file a claim. We will also need to collect evidence about your injury and how it prevents you from working. If your employer does carry Workers’ Compensation insurance (which they are legally required to), we can help you file a lawsuit for damages.
Is Lumbar Strain a Compensable Injury Under Workers’ Compensation in Arkansas?
Although you might feel pressure from your employer or others at work to disregard your lumbar strain as a non-serious injury, you might be eligible for Workers’ Compensation. You can collect weekly benefit payments while recovering from your injuries instead of suffering through work, making your condition worse.
To be eligible, your lumbar strain must be considered a compensable injury under Workers’ Compensation laws. A compensable injury may result from a single accident in the workplace. For example, if you strained your lower back after a nasty slip and fall in the office, you can file a Workers’ Compensation claim. The accident must be specific and identifiable. If your lumbar strain cannot be traced to a specific workplace accident, you might have trouble filing a claim.
Lumbar strain might also be a compensable injury even if it does not stem from a specific workplace accident. Many jobs require employees to perform repetitive physical tasks that may wear on the body over time. If your lumbar strain happened over a longer period due to the repetitive physical demands of your job, our Crawford County Workers’ Compensation lawyers can still help you file a claim.
When You Can Collect Workers’ Compensation for Lumbar Strain in Arkansas
Exactly when you can begin collecting Workers’ Compensation depends on various factors surrounding your specific case. Ideally, you should file your claim for Workers’ Compensation almost immediately after getting treatment for your injuries. If you were injured in a workplace accident, you should speak to your employer and our Arkansas Workers’ Compensation lawyers right away.
Many people do not realize they can file a claim until later. According to Arkansas Code § 11-9-702(a), you have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim. If you wait too long, you might lose your right to file for compensation forever.
Once you submit your claim for Workers’ Compensation, you must wait for approval from the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission. Some claims are approved relatively quickly, while others are delayed for various reasons. The Commission might want additional evidence about your accident or injuries. You can appeal the decision if your claim is denied, but you will wait even longer before collecting any benefits. Our Farmington Workers’ Compensation attorneys can help you file your claim quickly and hopefully get you the benefits you need.
Possible Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Lumbar Strain in Arkansas
The amount of money you may potentially receive in Workers’ Compensation benefits will depend on how much money you were earning before your injuries. It also depends on the extent of your injuries. Claimants experiencing total disability often receive more benefits than those experiencing partial disability. Our Arkansas Workers’ Compensation lawyers can help you assess your case and get your claim started.
According to Arkansas Code § 11-9-519(a), a claimant experiencing total disability may receive weekly payments amounting to two-thirds of their average weekly wage. For those experiencing partial disability, benefits amounting to two-thirds of the difference between their average weekly wage from before their injury and their current wage earning capacity may be collected each week.
Essentially, the more money you earned before you were injured, the more money you may receive in Workers’ Compensation benefits. However, there are caps to these payments. For total disability, you cannot receive more than $790 per week. For partial disability, the limit is $593 per week.
Call Our Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Help Now
If you strained your lower back while at work or believe repetitive physical tasks at work caused your lumbar strain, our Rogers Workers’ Compensation attorneys can help you file a claim to get benefits. For a free case review, call our dedicated team at (479) 316-0438.