Back pain and neck pain are very common problems. Sometimes this pain is caused by activities on the job. Sitting at an improperly fitted desk is one of the causes of back and neck pain in Georgia. These types injuries have many more causes.

Sometimes workers’ compensation claims are approved with little or no fuss by an employer. Sometimes the claim is contested. If that happens, you need legal help to make sure you get the help you deserve.

Sometimes defining how a back or neck injury happened is hard to do, especially if the injury happened over time. The Cochran Firm knows physicians who can examine your injury and determine if it was caused on the job or somewhere else.

Back And Neck Injuries At Work

Back and neck injuries are caused by all kinds of incidents at work. It can be immediately, as in a fall, or develop over time. If you work in a position that requires you to lift heavy objects on a regular basis, you may be at risk of a back injury. You can strain your back muscles or develop spine and disc problems. If you spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen that is not set to your eye level, you can get neck strain and headaches.

These kinds of injuries develop over time from repetitive stress and overuse of the muscles involved.

Falls and collisions and other accidents can create immediate injuries. A broken or fractured spine is a good example.

Get Legal The Help You Need

If you have a back or neck injury at work, you can file for workers’ compensation through your employer. You must file your report as soon as you become aware of your injury.

Your employer will give you the paperwork needed to start the claims process. Once you file the report, your employer has 21 days to investigate your claim. Your employer and the insurance company can ask for medical evidence to back up your claim.

Your employer has to let you file a claim.

If your claim is denied, you have the right to request a hearing with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. A judge will hear the case and review the evidence before handing down a decision.

Since an injury usually cannot wait for a judge to hear the case, you can get medical help while the claim is pending. You must be treated by doctors who are approved by your employer. Your employer can give you a list of approved physicians or refer you to a Workers’ Compensation Managed Care Organization group. If you get treated by a doctor outside this list of physicians, you may be denied coverage or reimbursement for any medical expenses.

Talk To An Attorney

If you are thinking about making a workers’ compensation claim in Georgia, you should talk with a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible. The Cochran Firm represents injured employees in Atlanta and all around Georgia.

An attorney can tell you how to gather medical evidence to support your claim. The Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer can also tell you how to respond to requests from your employer and the insurance company.

If your claim is denied, then a workers’ compensation attorney can help you file an appeal to the State Board of Workers’ Compensation.

The Cochran Firm handles many workers’ comp cases in Georgia. We fight for your rights and the benefits you deserve. Contact us today for a no-charge initial consultation.