Belmond Workers Compensation Attorneys

Epidural Injections and Back Pain Treatment

Back problems are common among Belmond workers who perform heavy lifting, and treatment sometimes includes epidural injections. The epidural space is a fat filled area located between the dura mater surrounding the spinal cord and the wall of the vertebra. During an epidural injection, a needle delivers corticosteroids into this space to reduce swelling and hopefully relieve pain.

Doctors commonly use epidural injections to treat conditions such as disc herniations, spinal stenosis, and spondylolysis. Patients typically receive an injection every couple of weeks over several weeks, though the schedule should always be discussed directly with a treating physician. As with any medical procedure, there are potential complications to discuss beforehand, including bleeding, infection, nerve damage, and dural punctures.

When Medical Treatment Becomes a Dispute

Workers' compensation insurance generally covers medical expenses related to a covered injury, along with disability benefits depending on the worker's ability to return to their job and any resulting permanent impairment. These benefits are mandatory when an injury occurs in the course of employment, whether from a sudden accident or from repetitive and cumulative trauma over time. Doctors can heavily influence the length and amount of benefits a Belmond worker receives, based on their assessment of the injury, and employers in Iowa have the right to choose the medical provider treating the injury.

Sometimes a doctor may deny that an employee has an injury or is in real pain, occasionally because that physician is inclined to favor the employer who selected them. When this happens, a Belmond worker can file an appeal for alternative medical treatment with the Iowa Workers' Compensation Commissioner. If a worker's condition is not expected to improve despite continued treatment, it may eventually be classified as a permanent disability, with back injuries specifically treated as industrial disabilities under Iowa workers' compensation law.

Getting Hurt While Working for a Delivery Company

It matters a great deal who a Belmond worker is employed by when it comes to workers' compensation coverage. If you work for a corporate delivery business such as FedEx, UPS, Amazon, or a similar company, you are covered by Iowa's workers' compensation laws. However, if you are injured while working for the United States Postal Service or another branch of the federal government, your case is likely governed by a completely different federal system known as the Federal Employees' Compensation Act, or FECA, which requires different legal representation entirely.

If you were hurt while working for a corporate delivery company, there are several important things to keep in mind in order to protect your rights and avoid common, costly mistakes.

Be Ready and Willing to Work

If your doctor releases you back to work with restrictions, it is your responsibility to notify your employer that you are ready and willing to work within those restrictions. Failing to do so can result in forfeiting your weekly benefits. If your employer offers you work within your restrictions, you need to attempt that work, and if it causes problems, report that to your employer and your doctor so different restrictions can be considered if necessary.

Continue to Treat for Your Work Injuries

If your doctor recommends a course of treatment, such as several weeks of physical therapy, it is important to follow through with that treatment even if there are delays in getting workers' compensation approval. Doing nothing not only hurts your case, it also means missing out on medical care you actually need.

Follow Your Doctor's Restrictions

Work restrictions apply both at work and at home. Workers' compensation insurance companies commonly use surveillance in an attempt to film an injured worker doing more than their restrictions allow. Being caught on video exceeding your restrictions, or doing an activity you told your doctor you could no longer do, can seriously damage your credibility and your case.

Work Within Your Restrictions

Some employers ask injured workers to perform tasks outside their restrictions. If this happens, refer back to your written restrictions and let your supervisor know you have them for a reason. Keeping a copy of your restrictions on hand, whether in your pocket, your locker, or on your phone, can help resolve any confusion about what you can and cannot do.

Can You Trust the Insurance Company?

There are more than 100 insurance companies selling policies in Iowa, ranging from personal injury coverage to workers' compensation. While people generally buy insurance to protect themselves against future loss, paying a premium does not mean the insurance company is looking out for you. Many people assume their own insurance company will pursue a claim against the other party on their behalf, but this generally is not true for personal injury claims, even though an insurer may pursue reimbursement for property damage it has already paid.

When dealing with another party's insurance company, whether that is the driver who caused an accident or the workers' compensation insurer for your employer, it helps to keep a few things in mind:

• The insurance company is not representing you or your best interests.
• They are not required to tell you the truth.
• The insurance company is in the business of making the most profit possible, which means paying claims for as little as possible.
• An adjuster may seem friendly, but they are not looking out for you.
• Insurance companies sell insurance because they do not like paying claims.

Tips for Dealing With the Insurance Company

Always tell the truth. Anything you say can be used against you later, and even a small inconsistency can damage your credibility, so honesty from the start avoids that risk entirely. When dealing with an adjuster, remember that insurance companies employ professionals to work these cases, which is why having your own professional, such as an attorney, can help level the playing field.

Keep documentation of your damages, including a journal describing how you feel day to day, doctor's excuses for missed work, and records of time missed for medical appointments. Retain any medical bills or explanation of benefits forms you receive. Be thorough at every medical appointment, since your description of your injuries and complaints becomes part of the medical record the insurance company will use to evaluate your claim. If you wait weeks or months to mention a new problem, the insurer may argue it was unrelated to the original injury.

Finally, attend your medical appointments regularly. Failing to see a doctor is often treated as evidence that you have fully recovered, both by the insurance company and potentially by a judge or jury later on. If your doctor tells you to follow up as needed, that means returning within a few weeks if problems persist, not simply stopping treatment altogether.