Getting a Workers’ Compensation Claim Approved for Sprains and Strains

Soft tissue damages like sprains and strains are among the most common medical issues occurring from workplace accidents. Although treatable, soft tissue injuries can lead to substantial medical bills and lost wages. Getting this type of workers’ compensation claim approved is critical for your peace and well-being. 

At Eden Rafferty, our workers’ comp attorney has been working tirelessly for years to help injured workers get their claims approved. Contact our law offices today for a free consultation. 

What Are Soft Tissue Injuries, Sprains, and Strains?

Often, sprains, strains, and tears are terms used interchangeably. But in the medical field, they have their own unique definitions. These types of injuries are all referred to as soft tissue injuries and are common. 40% of all injuries requiring time off work are due to sprains and strains.

• A sprain is a ligament injury. Ligaments are tissues that form connective bands between the bones in the body. 
• Strains happen when a muscle or a tendon becomes overstretched. 
• Tears occur when a ligament, muscle, or tendon either wholly or partially breaks. Usually, these injuries require surgery. 

How Long Does It Take to Recover From Sprains and Strains?

Sprains and strains can be severe injuries that can take weeks or even months to heal. Strains typically take longer than sprains to heal, with the former recovery time lasting up to a year in some cases. In the case of tears, surgery is usually performed, requiring even longer recovery time, larger medical bills, and more lost wages. 

Usually, these types of injuries require a lot of rest and downtime, impacting your ability to work and earn a living. You can’t wait forever for a sprain, strain, or tear to heal. But you also can’t start working too soon and risk further injury. 

Seeking the advice of an experienced workers’ comp attorney is critical. Your attorney will help you seek compensation for your work injury.

Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Sprains and Strains?

A workers’ compensation claim covers any injury that occurs while on-the-job, regardless of the nature of those injuries. It doesn’t matter if you experience a soft tissue injury, break a bone, or something else. Those injuries are all covered under workers’ compensation as long as they occur during work. 

The question is, can you prove the injuries happened while you were working? Accurately calculating your workers’ comp benefits and seeing if you’re eligible for other compensation claims is also critical. 

Some of the benefits and compensation you may be eligible for under workers’ comp include:

• Prescription drug costs
• Vocational retraining
• Physical therapy costs
• Medical costs
• Lost income from disability, whether partial, temporary, or permanent. 

Contact Eden Rafferty 

Proving that your sprain, strain, or other soft tissue injury occurred while at work is critical to having your workers’ compensation claim approved. Knowing how much in benefits you’re eligible for and if you can obtain additional benefits ensures you can continue providing for yourself and loved ones while recovering.  

Have you suffered a soft tissue injury while at work? Contact us today at (508) 210-1416 for a free consultation with workers’ comp attorney Jane Eden.