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Workers’ compensation often denies back pain claims for office workers

On Behalf of | Apr 13, 2017 | Workers' Compensation |

For office workers in Kansas and Missouri, as well as across the United States, chronic lower back pain is a serious problem. The nature of working at a desk job often causes these conditions to develop, leading to an alarming number of administrative professionals who develop some form of debilitating lower back pain. Unfortunately, many employers in the Kansas City area (as well as their Missouri or Kansas workers’ compensation insurance providers) are often quick to deny the reality of a work-related lower back injury when an office worker files a claim. It doesn’t help that many types of lower back problems simply don’t show up on X-rays and extensive medical tests may be required to prove the disability. The facts, however, do not support these companies’ position when denying worker’s compensation claims.

How and why office jobs can result in lower back pain

Human beings weren’t meant to live non-active lifestyles, and the human body functions best when it is kept in motion for a large percentage of the day. Most office jobs, though, require a person to be confined to a desk and chair for eight or more hours each day. The results of this sedentary lifestyle can be devastating.

According to the UCLA Spine Center, “Sitting for prolonged periods of time can be a major cause of back pain, cause increased stress of the back, neck, arms and legs and can add a tremendous amount of pressure to the back muscles and spinal discs. Additionally, sitting in a slouched position can overstretch the spinal ligaments and strain the spinal discs.”

When a person remains seated in the same position for long periods of time, the same muscles in their lower back are required to support them hour after hour, day in and day out. This results in muscles become stiff and sore, as well as stress from upper body weight placed on bones and joints. Our spines and lower bodies just aren’t designed for prolonged sitting, but our jobs often require it.

Worst of all, once these conditions develop, they are not easily remedied. A job injury to your lower back may be irreversible. If it can be treated, it may take drastic, invasive measures such as surgery to correct.

Medical evidence that the entire body suffers damage, not just the back

In his book Get Up! Why Your Chair Is Killing You And What You Can Do About It, Dr. James Levine, co-director of the Mayo Clinic and the Arizona State University investigates the poor health effects of prolonged sitting. He has found that back pain alone isn’t the only problem. Entire internal systems that affect our metabolism even begin to shut down, contributing to long-term health conditions such as diabetes and obesity.

Receiving Worker’s Compensation for lower back pain

Fortunately, these types of claims by office and administrative professionals are beginning to get recognition by medical professionals. Increasingly, evidence demonstrates that office jobs do indeed cause lower back pain and serious injuries that can prevent a person from performing job tasks. Today, receiving worker’s compensation for your condition is a real possibility.

Though employers and workers’ comp insurance providers are notorious for denying claims for lower back pain, the right legal representation can help you fight for the benefits you are entitled to. If you would like to learn more about your options for pursuing worker’s compensation, feel free to contact us today for a free consultation.