Work Injury

Injured workers are a lot like injured athletes; only the playing field is different. And like an athlete’s injury, doctors typically recommend physical therapy to treat a work injury. If you need physical therapy for a work injury, workman’s compensation should cover the costs for treatment. At the same time, there are some basic rules to get that treatment covered with a workman’s comp claim.

The Guidelines for Payment of a Work Injury Rehab Program

First of all, the physical therapy treatment needs to be ordered by your treating physician, and the insurance company must give approval. If you don’t get approval for work injury rehab, there are some steps you can take to get the treatment approved.

• Ask the doctor’s office to file a Form WC-205 requesting approval
• File a Form WC-PMT to get treatment approved
• Request a hearing in front of a judge to get approval
• Get a worker’s compensation attorney
• Common Worker’s Compensation Injuries

Overexertion is the top one most common work injury. It’s most often seen in construction jobs and factory jobs. Typically, a muscle is pulled or a joint is forced beyond its anatomical ability. Slip and falls are also very common in the workplace. Groundskeepers, store clerks and security workers often fall prey to this due to wet floors or snowy walkways. Falling to a lower level occurs when a worker falls down a flight of stairs or off of a roof. In addition, a bodily reaction to a fall or slip can result in a sprained or broken ankle. It’s not uncommon for retail workers or factory workers to be struck by an object when it falls off a shelf. Office workers and factory workers can incur an injury when struck against an object. The person falls into a stationary object. For truck drivers, highway accidents are one of the top causes of injury. It’s also common among police officers and business representatives.

In businesses with heavy machinery, machinery accidents are common. This is seen with construction workers and in factories. Repetitive motion injuries are also in the top 10 most common worker’s compensation claims. Lifting boxes, working on an assembly line, sitting at a computer and even using a mouse can cause a repetitive motion injury like bursitis, tendonitis and carpal tunnel. Workplace violence is another cause of workplace injuries. The injury may be caused by a coworker or outsider on the premises. While no one expects violence in the workplace, the reality is that is does happen.
Of course, there are other types of workplace injuries. The key is to report the injury to your employer as soon as possible and to get medical treatment as soon as possible. These two steps will help ensure a successful worker’s compensation claim.

Physical Therapy and Workplace Injuries

People who have been injured on the job have a unique set of circumstances. Often, returning to work is a necessity for the person’s family. A physical therapist will develop a treatment plan that is specifically targeted for your circumstances and injury. Goals are set up, and your physical therapist will help you achieve these goals. This health care professional is your coach and partner in returning back to work. Treatment may include manual therapy, stretching, specific exercises, hot and cold treatment, ultrasound, aquatic therapy and joint mobilization. Physical therapy is a holistic treatment that often combines multiple modalities for recovery.

If you’ve been injured in the workplace, contact us at Greenwood, IN center for a one-on-one consultation and full assessment. Our physical therapists are skilled and committed to your recovery.