A pulled muscle can cause quite a lot of pain, and even limit your mobility if you pull your back or leg muscles.
A pulled muscle or a muscle strain happens when the muscle is overstretched or torn. There are several reasons why this can happen, such as fatigue, or overuses, and such strains are known to occur in any muscle of the body.
This type of injury can cause quite a lot of pain, and even limit your mobility if you pull your back or leg muscles. In some cases, you may get away with at-home remedies like applying ice or taking a mild painkiller, but some pulled muscles may require more extensive medical treatment.
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of a pulled muscle can include:
- Soreness
- Sudden pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Muscle spasm
- Weakness
The intensity of the symptoms can vary, depending on how severe your injury is. It’s important not to push through the pain and see a doctor if you suspect you have a pulled muscle, as this injury doesn’t go away on its own. Even if the pain is mild, stop what you’re doing and see if the pain persists.
How to Get Compensated
Muscle strains are rather common injuries for workers, especially if you have a more physically-demanding job. They can occur either because your work involves you performing the same actions over and over (and using the same muscles), or because of improper technique when performing a particular task.
If your work leads to a pulled muscle, you should see a doctor right away. Per Missouri law, workplace injuries are covered under worker’s comp laws, meaning that you can access benefits that will cover medical bills and even time off work to recover.
Even if your injury is mild, a key to recovering from a pulled muscle is rest, so these benefits can be quite useful in your situation.
Here are the main steps to take in order to get compensated for a pulled muscle:
- Notify your employer of your injury in writing. In Missouri, your employer has the right to choose your worker’s comp doctor. In some cases, your employer may agree to you seeing your own doctor, but you should check this before to avoid future troubles.
- Gather some evidence. It is a good idea to have some evidence that your injury occurred at work if the insurance company demands it.
- Talk to a St. Louis work injury lawyer. You are not required to, but it is in your best interest to speak to a worker’s comp attorney about your case and have them represent you. This will ensure you don’t hit any major bumps along the way or end up settling for less than you are entitled to.
Speak With an Experienced Work Injury Lawyer in Missouri
If you’ve suffered a pulled muscle because of your job, get in touch with an experienced Missouri worker’s comp lawyer as soon as possible. With their help, you can successfully navigate through the complex compensation process and obtain the compensation you are legally entitled to.