Posted in Legal Advice
Occupational Injury v. Traumatic Injury
When you think of an injury, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Most likely it is someone getting hurt in an accident, falling, or even getting hit by an object or person. This type of injury, which is known as a traumatic injury, occurs on a specific date and at a specific time. An example of a traumatic injury is an employee of a moving company that injured his back while lifting heavy furniture up a winding staircase. This is “traumatic” because the employee is able to point to the exact moment in which he suffered the particular injury.
While you may be more familiar with traumatic injuries, it is important that you are aware of a different type of injury that is equally covered under the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Act. This other or different type of injury is known as an occupational injury. Different from traumatic injuries, occupational injuries occur over a long period of time. Specifically, they do not occur on a specific date or at a specific time.
To better explain how an occupational injury claim would actually work, let’s refer back to the same employee of the moving company mentioned previously. Let’s say that this employee was required to lift heavy furniture on a regular basis for 15 years. Although the worker may not be able to point to a specific day or time that he hurt his back, he knows that all of this heavy lifting for such a long period of time is what caused his back problems. Assuming that a doctor agrees with the worker, he would be able to bring a Worker’s Compensation claim for his occupational back injury.
What body parts are covered in occupational injury claims?
All body parts are covered. Regardless of the body part that has been injured, you can bring a Worker’s Compensation claim if you have suffered an occupational injury and you have the medical support from your doctor. Our firm has assisted injured workers for the following occupational injury claims:
- Back
- Neck
- Hip(s)
- Shoulder(s)
- Knee(s)
- Wrist(s)
Why is this important?
This is important because many individuals in their later years have serious physical problems that were caused by the tasks they were required to perform on the job. Despite their physical issues, they do not get the necessary medical treatment because they do not think that anyone will pay for it.
If your doctor believes that your injury or pain is related to the work that you were required to perform day in and day out, for a long period of time, it is important that you contact our office immediately.
