Accidents in the workplace are no joke, especially the ones that involve a serious medical injury. At the end of 2022, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 55,400 nonfatal workplace injuries in Tennessee, with an incident rate of 2.4 cases per 100 full-time workers.
Victims of workplace accidents not only face the immediate physical consequences of the mishap, but these employees also will eventually deal with any chronic health issues and psychological trauma they endure as a result.
Treatment is not a one-size-fits-all, and the path to recovery can take many forms.
The law can also be a complicated system to navigate, and it’s essential, whether you are an employee who has suffered an incident or an employer responsible for managing workers’ compensation, to understand the responsibilities of each party and seamlessly traverse a tricky process.
Progress on the road to recovery and compensation is vital to success; therefore, it is essential that affected individuals educate themself on how to manage both the medical and legal sides of the post-accident journey.
Evaluating Long-Term Injuries from Workplace Accidents
When considering the effects of long-term injuries incurred in the workplace, you should be aware that there is an entire spectrum of conditions that can plague an accident victim.
While these injuries are localized to specific body parts and come in many shapes and sizes, any injury will typically impact someone’s lifestyle.
An injury can include a reduced capacity for work, a lack of ability to participate in social functions, or an inability to perform household duties.
Time is of the essence when dealing with trauma, and in the aftermath of a workplace-related injury, affected individuals should seek out medical treatment immediately.
The early stages of an injury are often the most critical, as this is when doctors perform an accurate diagnosis, which medical professionals will use to effectively draft a custom treatment plan to manage the individual obstacles a patient faces appropriately.
Depending on the severity of the injury, a specific treatment plan can require the expertise of several healthcare providers across multiple disciplines.
As time passes, new issues have the potential to emerge, and complications during treatment are an ever-present risk; because of this, major or minor adjustments to the initial treatment plan may be necessary.
This flexibility as treatment progresses guarantees the patient is constantly receiving the best care. It will lead to the best possible outcome for readjusting to everyday function and maintaining a satisfying quality of life.
Physical Therapy’s Critical Role in Recovery
Once the dust has settled and an accident victim is past the initial phases of diagnosis and treatment, they will eventually find themselves enrolled in physical therapy as they begin to focus less on the initial trauma and more on coping strategies and physical exercises that will enable them to return to a more stable quality of life.
Therapy typically consists of a series of goals, and much like the initial medical diagnosis, a tailor-made treatment plan will support these recovery goals.
These goals usually include restoring previous functional capability, motor skills, mobility, and supporting pain management.
Exercise, collaboration with relevant medical professionals, and information about various lifestyle modifications are necessary to foster an environment where a workplace accident victim can accomplish their physical therapy goals.
Psychological Consequences of Workplace-Related Injuries
Supporting the psychological impact of a workplace injury is a necessary element of recovery, as the mental stress when processing the shock of physical trauma and the lifestyle-related consequences can cast a long shadow over many aspects of everyday life.
Mental health issues appear in many ways, and as a result of sustaining significant trauma, individuals can experience anxiety, depression, shifts in mood, post-traumatic stress disorder, trouble focusing, and panic attacks.
Much like physical injuries, all of these potential problems can lead to issues with daily life, work, and social participation; that’s why it’s essential to consult a mental health expert early to receive a diagnosis and a treatment plan as quickly as possible.
Legal Action and Compensation Claims
Dealing with workers’ compensation to support a worker’s well-being after a workplace accident can be intimidating for an employee who is dealing with an injury.
In many cases, legal representation is necessary to understand the full scope of the case for a compensation claim.
A skilled law firm, like Mitch Grissim & Associates, can perform several functions and provide advice while a claim plays out. This support can look like an explanation of the legal framework that makes up worker’s compensation laws.
In addition, they can apply a higher level of scrutiny to the case; a lawyer can challenge denials and clarify why the case went that route in the first place. They can rework your case, gather new evidence, and reinitiate contact with insurance companies on your behalf.
Simply put, they are your advocate while you are in a difficult situation when your mind may have other priorities.
Conclusion
The aftermath of a traumatic workplace injury can be a challenging period for an individual. An accident victim must address physical, mental, and legal consequences to support and maintain relative well-being in this uncertain time.
Seeking a legal professional and following the proper procedure to get medical treatment as quickly as possible is the key to correctly facing a workplace accident.