Being diagnosed with sciatica can be quite heartwrenching, especially since the condition is quite debilitating. With most of the pain points scattered throughout the lower back, the hips, buttocks, and legs, it can be tough to function at all and maintain your work.
Alongside that, there are plenty of expenses that come with confirming and treating Sciatica, from a CT scan, physical examinations, pain medication, and even more. Employees who have gotten sciatica from their line of work should be able to pursue a claim and get proper compensation to cover the costs revolving around the work injury.
Continue reading to learn more about a sciatica workers’ compensation claim:
Can Sciatica be a Workplace Injury?
Sciatica may be considered a workplace injury due to a work-related accident. One common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc, which refers to the tissues in between the vertebrae or spine degenerating in condition. This may happen in an instant where a worker slips and falls at their site, but it can also occur over a period of time.
For example, factory employees who may be performing continuous lifting in a warehouse may get herniated discs during that period of working. Upon diagnosis, a worker may have to face physical therapy or surgical intervention when worst comes to worst for treatment.
What Is Involved in a Sciatica Compensation Claim?
Making a workers’ compensation claim about your sciatica will generally need proof that your workplace is the direct cause of your injury. It’s necessary to consult a compensation consultant on how you can get recompense from your employers. They should help you attain the proper evidence needed to support your claim as well.
Aside from proof, it’s important to collate all of the costs related to your sciatica condition and your inability to work. Calculating the total compensation you ask for would need you to add up expenses for doctor’s fees, x-ray scans, medical tests, surgery appointments, and even more.
How Is a Sciatica Compensation Claim Settled?
The price for sciatica workers’ compensation settlement can vary slightly depending on how critical your condition is. Those who have permanent damage and inability to work from sciatic may likely gain a higher value of compensation than those with temporary damage.
However, as mentioned above, sufficient documentation and proof must be presented as evidence for a case. Without the right support, a compensation claim may be denied by the court and the insurer involved, leaving you to cover all of the costs out of pocket.
How Is a Sciatica Compensation Claim Made?
In order to make a workers’ compensation claim for your sciatica, it’s a must to provide an injury notice to your employers as soon as possible. Ask a local workers’ compensation consultant what your time frame limit is in your state.
Within that same period, an employee should file their claim and submit their documentation as well. Upon approval, you should either receive compensation through medical care and payment benefits or a lump sum settlement.
Conclusion
To sum it up, sciatica may be considered a workplace injury that you can get compensation for. The cause of sciatica can be varied, though, so it’s important to have documentation that supports your claim that the medical condition had occurred due to workplace incidents.
Need help with the worker compensation claim process? Pacific Workers', The Lawyers for Injured Workers, has workers’ compensation lawyers in Northern CA. Get a free consultation by calling 800-606-6999!