Accidents happen in every workplace, and they aren’t necessarily anyone’s fault. In most cases, employees just want to get their medical treatment and living expenses covered so they can return to work as soon as possible. Going to court is expensive and time consuming for both parties, and it can ruin otherwise positive working relationships. Employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. 

Each state has its own regulations and processes for workers’ compensation claims. It adds up to a lot of administrative work: Private employers reported 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2022. This represents a 7.5% increase from 2021, and both injuries and illnesses were on the rise. 

Physical therapists play a big role in helping people recover from workplace injuries and return to work safely. This article explains what workers’ compensation is and how physical therapy can help.

What’s workers’ compensation? What does PT have to do with it?

Workers’ compensation is a benefit companies provide to employees in the event of workplace-related injuries or illnesses. Benefits can include wage replacement, health care coverage and survivor benefits for the families of deceased workers. Neither the employee nor the company they work for will be held at fault when a claim is filed. Often, physical therapy is needed to help injured employees recover and return to work. We take it a step further at Lattimore Physical Therapy by helping you learn about your condition and rehabilitate to reduce the risk of reinjuring yourself. 

What workers’ compensation conditions do physical therapists treat?

We help patients heal from both traumatic injuries and overuse or repetitive movement injuries they’ve sustained at work. Slips, falls, auto accidents, and injuries from lifting or bending improperly are common. We also see a lot of repetitive movement injuries from kneeling and lifting with poor form. You spend the majority of your waking hours at work, so any ergonomic issues with your posture or positioning can turn into an injury over a long period of time.

The following are some of the most common workplace injuries we treat at Lattimore PT:

• Strains and sprains — Strains and sprains are small tears that form in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments when they’re twisted or pulled in improper ways. Joints can be pulled out of place by carrying too much weight. These injuries happen most often when employees are overreaching or lifting or pushing heavy objects. 
• Concussions — A concussion is a serious workplace injury, and you should seek medical attention immediately if you suspect you have one. It can be caused by a slip-and-fall accident, something large or heavy landing on your head, a car accident, or any other type of impact to your head. If you are dizzy, lose consciousness and/or vomit after head trauma, you should seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital.
• Slip-and-fall accidents — Slips and falls can cause injuries through impact, stretching, and tearing of joints and tissue. You may end up with some bruises and inflammation or something more serious like a broken bone or a strain or sprain. Anytime a slip or fall results in pain or limited movement, you should see a medical professional for an assessment. Some rest and an over-the-counter pain reliever may be enough care, but in some cases, you may need to immobilize the area or do some rehabilitation to make a full recovery.
• Auto injury accidents — Anyone who drives on the job has a certain level of risk, from delivery and rideshare drivers to salespeople and executives. Accidents are impossible to predict, and even a fender bender can cause a significant injury. Whiplash and injuries in the neck, shoulder, back and wrists are common. You may not notice any pain right away, but if you develop aches and pains within a few days after an accident, you should see a medical professional.
• Repetitive movement injuries — Repetitive movement injuries can be mild or serious, causing pain and inflammation or nerve compression, tendinitis, bursitis and osteoarthritis. People who lift and carry heavy objects or bend over a lot for their job can develop these injuries. They begin by irritating the joints, typically the shoulders or knees. This can cause inflammation and start to wear down the joints. Degenerative disc disease is a common type of repetitive movement injury that causes chronic lower back pain.

What physical therapy treatments help with workplace injuries?

Workers’ compensation covers a range of different treatments that can help you start feeling better and reduce the risk of further injury. You’ll start with an in-depth evaluation to determine the extent of your injury and what you’re still able to do without too much pain. From there, your physical therapist will create a personalized treatment plan that may have a few different phases. You might start with some treatments that help manage pain and swelling while promoting circulation in the affected area. Later phases can include balance training and therapeutic exercises to increase flexibility and range of motion. Finally, we’ll do a functional capacity evaluation to determine when you’re ready to get back to work.

At Lattimore PT, we offer the following treatments to help employees heal and rehabilitate while receiving workers’ compensation:

• Manual therapy — Manual therapy is a broad term for a few different joint and soft tissue manipulation techniques. Your PT will use their hands to loosen up stiffness or scar tissue. This increases blood flow to promote healing and help you recover your range of motion. Manual therapy can provide relief from stiffness, pain, tension and inflammation while helping your body’s natural healing process.
• Balance and vestibular rehab — This type of treatment is especially helpful after concussions. It can help with dizziness, balance disorders and difficulty focusing your eyesight. You’ll start with fall prevention techniques for your safety. Then, you’ll do a progression of exercises to slowly increase your sense of balance and vision as you start to practice standing, turning and walking in small increments.
• Therapeutic stretches and exercises — We focus on improving your strength and mobility so that when you’re feeling better, you’ll be less likely to injure yourself again. We’ll help you with conditioning and flexibility for a noticeable difference at work and in your personal life. 
• Functional capacity evaluation (FCE) — A functional capacity evaluation determines whether a person is fit to go back to work after an injury. Working full-time at various jobs requires not only strength, flexibility and coordination but also endurance and pain-free movement. Your PT will assess the types of movements you do on the job every day to see if you can do your job safely.

Does my employer offer workers’ compensation?

In the state of New York, employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. To get the process started, you’ll need to notify your employer that you’ve been injured within 30 days. In many cases, if you were hurt at work, your human resources department will already have an incident report on file. You’ll also have to file a claim with the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. You don’t have to be a resident of New York to receive benefits. You only need to work in the state.

Explore workers’ compensation treatments at Lattimore PT

The idea of filing for workers’ compensation and doing a full physical therapy regimen may sound like a lot to take on. However, in many cases, waiting to seek treatment can result in more pain and even chronic conditions. Your time is important, but your body and your health are indispensable. Your employer has workers’ compensation insurance for a reason. Taking time to focus on recovery now can help ensure that you’ll be able to work for years to come.

Have you been injured at work recently? Learn more about Lattimore Physical Therapy’s workers’ compensation services and contact our team today with any questions. If you’re ready to find treatment, schedule an appointment with us. We’re ready to help.