Q: Can I recieve workers compensation if I dont believe my injury was an isolated incident?
Ive been working in a warehouse for 7 months. I pick up boxes all night long for 8 hours loading a converyer belt. Constantly bending over to pick them up. Ive been sore since I started the job but the past week or 2 has been beyond soreness in my lower back. Theres something wrong with my back and I dont believe it happened in a single incident or date, I believe its from repeated stress on my lower back since I started working there. Is that something that would be accepted for workers comp because I know they ask for specific times and dates of injuries. Ive alreadt explained to my boss Ive been in alot of pain lately and I was going to work slower, but I didnt officially report an injury. I would honesly just like a week or 2 off of work to rest my back and not lose pay for it.
A:
What you are describing is called a repetitive use injury and the date of injury would be the date reported or the last day worked. Repetitive use injuries are often but not always disputed by the workers' compensation carrier. If you are seeing a doctor be sure to inform the doctor of your belief that the injury is related to your job duties so that this is reflected in the medical records.
If you are going to seek workers' compensation benefits it is important that you clearly explain to your employer that you believe this is a work injury and fill out an accident report.
Finally, you should be aware before you are not entitled to wage loss benefits if you are out of work for less than a week and wage loss benefits are only retroactive to the first day of injury if you are out of work for at least 2 weeks.
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