If you experience a back injury at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The same may be true if you experience back pain for other reasons such as sitting for too long while on the job. Let’s take a closer look at the process that you would likely need to go through to collect what you are entitled to.

Can you prove that the injury took place at work?

The first step to collecting workers’ compensation benefits is establishing that your injury occurred at work. This may be done by obtaining a note from your doctor concluding that you were injured while lifting a heavy object on a construction site or after sitting on a chair that offered inadequate lumbar support. It may also be done by submitting photos or videos of the event that led to your back pain.

It generally doesn’t matter if you contributed to your injuries

There is typically no need to show that your injuries were caused by employer negligence to collect workers’ compensation. Instead, you simply need to show that the injury occurred while performing services for your employer. Of course, your claim might be denied if you got hurt while engaged in horseplay or if an injury occurred while you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

What does workers’ compensation cover?

The workers’ compensation system allows you to recoup any wages lost because of a workplace injury. Furthermore, you will not have to pay any medical bills related to an injury that was incurred on the job.

If you are hurt at work, it’s generally a good idea to file a workers’ compensation claim as quickly as possible. Ideally, you will start the claim process no more than 24 hours after an accident occurs. In addition, you need to notify your employer about your condition and seek medical treatment.