A work-related injury can impact your life in many ways including your ability to grow your career. Suffering a debilitating injury could create tension and uncertainty in your personal and professional relationships. 

Preparing for some of the changes you may experience as the result of your injury can help you confront your newfound challenges with determination and resilience. 

Financial hardship

Arguably the biggest way your injury may affect your family is the financial impact of paying for medical treatment. Your workers’ compensation benefits should offset some of the costs, but depending on the severity of your injury, you may need critical ongoing support. According to the Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund of North America, statistics show that injured workers and their families absorb roughly 50% of costs associated with workplace injuries. 

If your injury causes a chronic disability, you may never return to your job. This sudden stop to your career could have a life-changing impact on your financial stability and your family’s future. The stress of reorganizing finances and planning for the future could put pressure on the relationships in your personal life. 

Role reversal

Prior to your injury, you may have assumed the role of primary breadwinner while your significant other maintained most of the homemaking responsibilities. Due to your injury, you and your spouse may need to reverse roles and take over some of each other’s responsibilities. As both of you adjust to allowing the other to take on new tasks, feelings of inadequacy, overwhelm and frustration could impact your relationship. 

During this period of adjustment, focus on what you can control. Have flexibility and recognize that this phase is a learning opportunity for both of you. Leaning into each other for support and relying on the support of other family and friends can help both of you work through the challenges and find comfort along the way.