Construction work puts a lot of stress on your body. Years of lifting, bending and carrying heavy materials can take a toll on your back. Pain that starts as an occasional ache can become part of your daily life. You may develop chronic back pain or recurring disc injuries that make it hard to work, sleep or enjoy time with your family.
You might keep working through the pain because you need the income. You may hope the pain will improve with time. Sometimes it does not. Learning about your workplace rights can help you make informed decisions if your injury is related to your job.
Once you grasp these rights, it is important to be aware of potential changes in your work environment.
Pay attention if your treatment at work changes
After reporting a back injury or asking for work restrictions, you may notice changes at work. Your supervisor may begin watching you more closely. You might receive write-ups for small mistakes that were never an issue before. In some cases, you could even lose your job after years of doing good work.
These experiences can be upsetting. You may wonder if reporting your injury changed the way your employer sees you. It is important to recognize that California law protects you from retaliation for reporting a work-related injury or filing a workers’ compensation claim.
With the knowledge of your rights, you can take proactive steps to protect your claim.
Take steps to protect your claim
If you hurt your back at work, report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Once your employer is aware of a work-related injury or claim, they must provide you with a Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (DWC-1) promptly. Complete the employee section and return it promptly. You should also seek medical care. If your employer has a Medical Provider Network, you will generally need to use one of its approved providers unless you predesignated your personal physician before your injury.
To create a clear timeline of what happened, keep copies of:
- Medical records and treatment notes
- Work schedules and job duties
- Performance reviews
- Emails, text messages or disciplinary notices related to your injury
Keeping these records together can help if questions come up later and you may also qualify for important benefits while you recover.
Know what benefits may be available
A work-related back injury can affect your health, your income and your future. California workers’ compensation may cover reasonable medical treatment, provide partial wage replacement if you cannot work during your recovery and reimburse mileage for approved medical visits. Reviewing resources from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and California workers’ compensation authorities will provide further clarity on the protections and financial assistance available to you.