Work injuries range from burns and cuts to brain injuries. Many of those injuries may result in a full recovery if the employee receives proper treatment and job accommodations after their initial injury.
Broken bones or fractures developed on the job are somewhat common. Those in high-risk work environments, such as factories and construction sites, may have an elevated risk of broken bones. Anyone who might slip and fall on the job or who has to interact with heavy machinery could be at risk of a fracture. Even driving for work can put someone at risk.
Many people take for granted that broken bones tend to heal quickly and cleanly. Despite what people often expect, broken bones can leave them in need of extensive medical care and can force them to take a lengthy leave of absence from work. Why can fractures force people to pursue workers’ compensation benefits in some cases?
Even basic breaks take weeks to heal
Someone with a simple fracture where the bone breaks in one location may only need basic medical care to set the bone. They may also require physical therapy to regain their strength and range of motion after they heal. It can take eight weeks or longer for a bone to knit, and more time afterward to recover lost functionality. Workers’ compensation can pay for an injured employee’s treatment expenses. They can also qualify for wage replacement benefits during their absence until their bone heals.
Worse fractures need more care
Many workers are not so fortunate and may have more serious fractures. Perhaps someone spun when they fell, leading to a twisting motion that causes a spiral fracture. Perhaps they are older or have low bone density. They could develop a comminuted fracture where the bone breaks into many tiny pieces.
Those who fall from elevations or experience crush injuries are at particularly high risk of comminuted fractures with multiple breaks in the bone or compound fractures where the bone tears through nearby tissue. People with more serious fractures may require surgery to heal. They may also have a longer overall recovery that lasts for months instead of just a few weeks.
Realizing that broken bones can be very expensive workplace injuries may help workers feel more comfortable requesting benefits. Workers’ compensation can diminish the harm caused by a job-related fracture.