If you’ve been injured at work in the Bronx, a lot of questions and concerns come to mind.
Am I going to be able to go back to work soon? How can I quickly recover from my injuries? Could I be more injured than I initially thought?
There are plenty of Bronx residents that are struggling with the same questions. All of those questions are important, and luckily, a workers’ compensation doctor can answer them.
A workers’ compensation doctor can answer your most pressing questions about your injuries and can be a valuable asset on your road to recovery.
If you want to learn about how a workers’ compensation doctor can help your situation, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to give you a quick rundown on common workplace injuries and how the right doctor can help you recover.
About The NYC Borough of Bronx
If each of NYC’s five boroughs were counted as individual cities, the Bronx would be the 8th largest city in the country with its population of over 1.4 million people.
When most people think about the Bronx, they don’t immediately think of nature, but it is by far the greenest of the city’s boroughs. It has the highest percentage of land reserved for parks.
The Bronx has seen its share of artists. Many people credit the Bronx as being the birthplace of hip-hop, rap, and break dancing. The borough was also home to the Piccirilli brothers, two famous marble sculptors that worked on the Lincoln Memorial
Workers’ Compensation Injuries in The Bronx
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you’re the only person in the Bronx that needs workers’ compensation.
It’s estimated that there were 33,312 reopened workers’ comp claims in the Bronx in 2017. That means that there are literally tens of thousands of people in the borough that need workers’ comp help.
Despite the high need for help, some businesses aren’t doing everything they can to protect their workers.
In 2017 207 businesses in the borough were issued a stop-work order (SWO) because they haven’t paid into workers’ comp or they had inadequate workers’ compensation coverage in place.
Common Workplace Injuries in Bronx, NY
Some people assume that you need to work a physically demanding or dangerous job in order to get hurt at work. This may come as a surprise to you, but it’s possible to get injured at nearly any job
Most work-related injuries don’t happen because of anything intense or dramatic. A wet floor, heavy package, or even an open drawer or cabinet can be enough to hurt someone.
There are a variety of different ways to sustain an injury on the job. Still, the following issues are some of the most common ave to deal with.
Hearing Loss
It’s normal to experience hearing loss as you age, but some people are having their hearing damaged prematurely at work.
Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States. The CDC estimates that over 11% of the working population has hearing difficulty, and work-related exposures cause nearly one out of four cases of worker hearing difficulty.
Don’t think that you have to work in a particularly loud environment to have work-related hearing loss. You may be exposed to chemicals that can cause damage to the inner ear like mercury, lead, or even asphyxiants like carbon monoxide.
Falls, Trips, and Slips
It doesn’t matter if you’re a retailer worker or a lawyer at a large practice, falls, trips, and slips can happen at nearly any job. All it takes is one out of place object or a forgetful employee to cause a problem.
You could have a bad fall because someone didn’t wipe up their spilled coffee. A custodian may have forgotten to put up a wet floor sign that could have kept you from walking and slipping on a slick floor.
These accidents are common, but the damage you can get from them can be severe. You could get a sprain, break a bone, or even get a concussion if you fall hard enough.
Machinery and Equipment Accidents
If you work in on a loading dock or in a manufacturing plant, you’re exposed to the unique risk of being injured because of machinery and equipment.
Accidents of these kinds tend to range from being painful and treatable, or incredibly severe. You can heal from a broken bone or a bad cut, but your life could be changed forever if you lose a limb or become paralyzed.
This is why proper training for every employee is important when machinery and heavy equipment are involved. If someone doesn’t know how to properly operate something, a serious accident could happen.
Repairs and equipment updates are equally important. It’s possible for employees to get hurt on the job if their employers refuse to update out of date equipment or if they insist on using broken machinery.
Repetitive Strain Injuries
Repetitive strain injuries are prevalent because they can happen to almost anyone. Regardless of if you work on an assembly line or at a computer, you could gradually damage your arms, wrists, hands, or fingers because of repetitive movements.
Doing the same action over and over can put a surprising amount of strain on your muscles and tendons. Some people may develop vision problems, back pain, or carpal tunnel syndrome because of their work environment.
Some people may view these injuries as an inevitability, but that isn’t true. Employers could choose to use ergonomic office equipment to help their employees or train their employees to move or work in specific ways to lessen potential damage.
Injuries that are caused by repetitive motions can be difficult to notice since they form over time. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you notice any problems with soreness, numbness, or tingling to see if more serious health issues are developing.
Auto Accidents
You don’t have to be a professional driver to get into a car accident when you’re at work. Problems can occur when you’re using carts, small forklifts, or lorries on the job.
The equipment you use may not have important safety features like signal lights or seatbelts. It’s also possible that you or a different employee may not have been adequately trained to use the equipment, and that could lead to an accident.
Physical Altercations
Everyone has had to deal with problematic employees before. People would like to think that fights only occur in the schoolyard, but physical altercations at the workplace are more common than you’d think.
You could have a conflict with another employee or manager that gets physical. It’s also possible that a disgruntled customer or client could attack you.
When fights occur at work, most people will place the blame on the attacker. While they do have some responsibility for what happened, it possible that the employer has some blame in the situation.
A manager or HR may have ignored conflict between employees and may not have taken the right steps to handle the situation. An employer may not have trained employees to handle conflicts correctly, or may not have implemented procedures to keep employees safe from combative customers and clients.
Should I See a Workers’ Compensation Doctor in The Bronx?
Making sure that you find a skilled and empathetic Bronx workers’ compensation doctor is important for your case.
The thought of seeing another doctor when you’ve just been injured may not seem too appealing. However, if you want to make your claims process more manageable, you’ll make time to see a workers’ comp doctor as soon as possible.
Workers’ compensation doctors play a key role in the claims process. The reports they make about your health condition and injuries will be a part of the official documentation of your claim.
The medical report they give will play an important role in your treatment plan. It will also heavily influence whether or not you’re entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. This also means seeing the right workers’ comp doctor in the Bronx can affect the amount of money you receive, and whether or not you’ll be able to return to work.
Benefits of Seeing The Right Workers’ Comp Doctor
Don’t think of a workers’ compensation doctor as just another physician. They can help you in a variety of ways after your accident.
Whether you want a way to speed up your recovery or make sure that you’re getting the right treatment, a workers’ compensation doctor can help.
We’re going to give you a quick rundown on all of the important ways a workers’ comp doctor can help you. Once you see how helpful they can be, you’ll be eager to find one of your own.
Treat Your Pain
Pain can be a significant problem for some people after a workplace accident. Finding a Bronx workers’ comp doctor that specializes in pain management can help your recovery and give you some much-needed comfort.
Don’t assume that pain management involves opiate and pain pill prescriptions. Your doctor may recommend some strong medications to manage your pain initially. Still, overall they look for different ways to treat pain.
Pain management doctors may recommend cortisone shots or steroid injections to manage your pain. Others may suggest acupuncture, physical therapy, or chiropractic care to lessen your discomfort.
Properly Heal Bones and Muscles
Some people think that healing a broken bone is as simple as putting on a cast and waiting for the bone to knit. The truth is that healing a broken bone is a complex process that involves a combination of strength training and attention to muscles.
A workers’ comp orthopedic surgeon can operate to ensure that you’re setting yourself up for a smooth recovery and that you’re getting the help you need to fully heal.
Some insurance companies are reluctant to cover specialists, but this is where your workers’ comp doctor can help. A statement from them around the importance of seeing a workers’ comp orthopedic doctor in the Bronx could convince your insurance carrier to cover the costs of seeing one.
Start Physical Therapy
Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need to take some time to build up your strength and get into working condition again. It’s important to do exercises over time so you can properly heal and be strong enough to work.
Your Bronx workers’ compensation physical therapy professional can give you a comprehensive plan that’s designed to get you back on your feet again.
Some may recommend a series of exercises you can do at home or suggest treatment at a special facility so you can get the help you need.
Get Neurological Help
It doesn’t take much to sustain a significant head injury. A small hit to the head can cause a lot more damage than you’d think.
Brain and nerve damage can lead to a variety of serious health problems, and some may take time to surface.
It’s advisable to see an experienced neurologist in the Bronx who accepts workers’ compensation after they’re injured.
Some head and nerve damage may not be apparent after an accident. A workers’ comp neurologist can help ensure that you didn’t sustain any serious damage and could help you get treatment in case something is wrong.
Manage Your Back Pain
Back pain is a surprisingly common problem, but it’s also difficult for people to treat. If you’re suffering from back pain after an accident, your doctor can recommend that you see a chiropractor.
A few adjustments from a workers’ comp chiropractor in the Bronx can do wonders for your pain and overall health. After you see them, you may notice that you have a restored range of motion or a reduction in inflammation.
Find Your Worker’s Comp Doctor in the Bronx Today
A workers’ compensation doctor is important for your well-being. Since they play such a pivotal role in your recovery and your work, it’s essential to make sure that you find the right one.
Our doctors are authorized by the NYS Worker’s Compensation Board to treat injured workers. Regardless of if you have more questions or if you need to find a doctor ASAP, we’re here to help.
Call today, so we can make sure you get the help you need. Same-day appointments are available, and workers’ compensation insurance is accepted.
Don’t delay, call (888) 590-4030 now to find an experienced Bronx workers’ comp doctor near you.