By not reporting your injury, you’re putting yourself in danger in a number of ways.
Imagine you’re busy lifting, pushing, or pulling something heavy at work, and, out of nowhere, you feel a sharp pain in your back. It’s so bad that you can barely move. You know you should report the injury, but you ignore it and carry on. After all, it doesn’t feel like it’s going to be a big deal. Unfortunately, what you don’t realize is that by not reporting your injury, you’re putting yourself in danger in more ways than one. Here are six dangers of not reporting a work-related back injury.
Increased Chance of Developing Chronic Back Pain
That shooting, burning, or stabbing sensation that you feel today could turn into debilitating chronic pain down the road. Chronic back pain may lead to depression, anxiety, and sleep problems.
Risk of Losing Your Job
If you don’t report your injury, your employer may assume you’re not injured and let you go. Losing your job means losing your income, which can be devastating if you depend on your income to support yourself and your family.
Difficulty Qualifying for Workers’ Compensation
Not reporting your back injury can make it difficult for you to prove that the injury happened at work. This can make it harder to get the workers’ comp benefits you deserve.
Higher Medical Bills
Ignoring a back injury will only prolong your pain and recovery time, which could lead to higher medical bills. Not informing your employer about your injury also means you’ll be the one footing the bill.
Spinal Injury
This is a serious one. Not reporting a back injury could result in a spinal injury, which could leave you paralyzed. In some cases, a spinal injury can be fatal. So, if you suspect you have a back injury, it’s important to inform your supervisor or employer and get medical help right away.
Increased Chance of Re-Injury
Once you’ve injured your back, you’re more likely to injure it again. This is because the first injury weakens the muscles and ligaments in your back, making them more susceptible to further injury.
As you can see, there are a lot of risks associated with not reporting a work-related back injury. So the next time you’re tempted to ignore a nagging pain in your back, think about the risks you’re taking. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Your health and well-being are worth it.
St. Louis Work Injury Lawyer
Have you been injured on the job? Our experienced St. Louis work injury lawyer is here to help. The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann has represented injured Missouri workers for over 25 years and has a proven track record of success. Give us a call 24/7 for a free case evaluation.