An experienced Columbus workers’ compensation lawyer knows that in the workplace, accidents can happen—and when they do, you want to ensure you’re taken care of financially. That’s why it’s so important to understand your rights regarding workers’ compensation.

If you’re injured on the job, you may be eligible for a financial payout from your employer if you can prove your injury was work-related. But which injuries qualify for workers’ comp? And what do you need to know to file a successful claim?

Back and Neck Injuries

You may not realize it, but some of your most common workplace injuries can be covered under Ohio workers’ compensation. You can get financial assistance for slips and falls to carpal tunnel syndrome while you recover.

Let’s start with back and neck injuries. Under workers’ compensation, anything from strained muscles to slipped discs can be treated and paid for. Crushed vertebrae resulting from accidents are also eligible for coverage, so don’t hesitate to file a claim if your back injury requires hospitalization.

Whether you’ve experienced an acute injury or a chronic condition, workers’ compensation will generally provide coverage for your back and neck care. This compensation package may include physical or rehabilitation therapy. Talk to your employer or insurance provider to learn more.

Amputations

You don’t want to think about it, but if you ever suffer an amputation, you may be able to recover lost wages and medical expenses with workers’ comp. The deciding factor is whether the accident happened on the job or during the course of your employment duties.

Under workers’ compensation rules, amputations can include any severance of a body part through trauma, such as a machine accident or burn injury. This also applies to crushes that cause damage so severe that a limb can’t be saved.

Eye Injuries

Eye injuries are among the most common accidents on the job, especially in fields like construction, manufacturing, and landscaping. If you suffer an eye injury at work, workers’ compensation should cover medical costs associated with treatment.

Here are some of the most common causes of eye injuries that are covered under workers’ comp:

• Flying objects are found in woodworking, construction, and auto repair shops.
• Chemical splashes or exposure to toxic substances.
• Dust, debris, or loud noises.
• Electrical shock or exposure to electromagnetic radiation.
• Bright sunlight or intense light exposure.
• Tools used without safety measures in place.
• Contact with hazardous materials or chemicals.

Fractures and Broken Bones

Did you know broken bones and fractures can be covered by workers’ compensation in Ohio? They are if an injury caused the break or fracture on the job. That means the fractured or broken bone would qualify for compensation if you were doing your job and got injured somehow.

But let’s get into what kind of fractures and broken bones are covered under workers compensation. Generally speaking, any fracture or break that requires medical attention and results from a workplace injury would qualify for coverage. That includes:

• Stress fractures from repetitive activities.
• Broken arms, legs, feet, and hands.
• Dislocated fingers.
• Broken toes (even if it’s just one toe!).

Loss of Limb or Body Parts

If you’re unfortunate enough to suffer the loss of a limb or body part due to your job, workers’ comp is there to help. Workers’ compensation covers catastrophic accidents where you may lose an arm or leg and amputations related to carpal tunnel syndrome—the long-term strain caused by typing.

It’s important to recognize if you’re in an environment that can lead to losing a limb or body part.

For example, workers in the logging industry are at a higher risk of amputation due to the dangerous saws and other equipment they work with. Or workers who lift heavy objects consistently might be vulnerable to having their backs give out on them.

The bottom line is, if you’ve had a limb or body part taken from you as a result of your job, then you have the right to get workers’ compensation benefits.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

When you think of workers’ comp, you might think of sudden injuries due to falls or accidents. But other types of injuries qualify for workers’ comp, too—ones that come about through repetitive motions.

That’s right: if your job requires you to do the same thing over and over again day after day, you’re at risk for a repetitive motion injury.

Some of the most common types of these injuries are:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome: This is when the small tendons in your wrists become inflamed, leading to pain and tingling in your hands and arms.
• Tendinitis: An inflammation in one or more tendons caused by constantly stressing a joint or muscle with repetitive actions.
• Epicondylitis: A painful inflammation around the elbow due to repeated motions (like twisting) of the forearm muscles.
• Chronic back pain: Pain that’s caused by repetitive lifting, repetitive bending, or even sitting in an uncomfortable position for long periods.

Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

Noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus are two common issues workers face in many fields. These sorts of injuries are typically caused by exposure to loud, noisy machinery or environments—over time, the exposure takes a toll on your hearing and can lead to permanent damage.

So, what does workers’ compensation cover for these sorts of issues? Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be eligible for coverage for hearing loss and tinnitus. The amount of coverage you get depends on the severity of your injury.

Stress-Related Injuries

Are you feeling stressed at work? Many people are—but did you know workers’ compensation covers stress-related injuries? If your job duties and environment cause you to suffer a physical or emotional injury, you may be eligible for benefits.

Mental Health

Perhaps the most important reason to know about stress-related injuries is to care for yourself and protect your mental health. Stress can build up over time and cause serious health complications like:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Panic attacks
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Heart problems.

Contact Our Columbus Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

If you have been injured at work, you may feel overwhelmed and isolated — that’s completely understandable.

Know that you’re not alone in your experience, and there are resources available that can help. Specifically, speaking with a professional Columbus workers’ compensation lawyer can provide you with the guidance and consultation needed to help manage your case and protect your rights.

Our lawyers understand what it takes to qualify for compensation and will fight for the benefits workers deserve when injured on the job.

If you’ve been injured at work, contact our Ohio workers’ compensation attorneys! Our experienced team of attorneys is committed to ensuring every worker gets the justice they deserve under Ohio’s workers’ compensation laws.