Workers’ Compensation Neck Injuries
Neck injuries causing pain and discomfort can happen while an employee is performing his or her work duties. If you have a neck injury, the pain may not always be severe at first, and it may get more and more painful over time. You might also suffer a traumatic work injury with immediate pain in the neck area. As with any serious injury, it is important to seek out medical care as needed.
Gearhart Law Group Can Help You with Your Neck Injury Case
Gearhart Law Group can help you get benefits and compensation for your Georgia workers’ compensation case. If you have recently suffered a neck injury that you believe to be from work, contact Gearhart Law Group today. Attorney Beth Gearhart has successfully handled workers’ compensation cases for over two decades, and she knows what it takes to fight for your legal rights. Contact Gearhart Law Group today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your potential workers’ compensation case by giving us a call at 404 445 8370.
What Causes Neck Pain and Injury?
The neck area includes the cervical spine and is a complex structure that is comprised of nerves, joints, tendons, muscles, and ligaments, as well as bones that are called vertebrae. The vertebrae bones are stacked up one after the next, which makes up your spine. The cervical spine is the top section of your spine.
In between the vertebrae, there are soft cushions, which are called discs. These discs help you to bend your neck. They also work as a shock absorber for any impact to your spine.
You can suffer neck pain due to a traumatic injury or an inflammation of any of these spinal structures. Some examples include a neck muscle strain and a pinched nerve.
Another type of neck injury can occur when an injury or trauma causes one of the spinal discs to protrude, which leads to added pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. This type of injury is called a herniated disc, which is also referred to as a slipped or ruptured disc.
How Might a Neck Injury Happen at Work?
You can suffer a neck injury at work in a variety of different ways. If you are lifting a heavy object, particularly over your shoulders or head, you may cause a serious injury to your neck. Neck injuries can also occur while performing repetitive actions over time at work. In these cases, the pain may come on more gradually due to the wear and tear of the muscles over time.
Medical Treatment for Workers’ Compensation Neck Injuries—What to Expect
As you begin medical treatment for your neck injury, it can be helpful to have an idea of what you can expect. The type of treatment and the length of time you will need it will, of course, depend on the type of neck injury you have and how severe it is. For example, a cervical sprain or strain will not be likely to require surgery and may resolve in a matter of weeks or a few months.
Physical therapy—For many neck injuries, doctors will initially recommend conservative medical treatment like physical therapy. This treatment includes exercises used to improve your mobility, strength, and flexibility of your neck.
Physical therapy may include modalities like heat and ice packs, massage, and ultrasound therapy. In some cases, the neck injury will heal just from a short course of physical therapy, and you will be able to get back to work.
Diagnostic tests—If your neck pain persists, your doctor may order some diagnostic tests to be done to help rule out certain injuries or to help discover the true source of your pain. These diagnostic tests may include:
- X-rays
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan
Surgery—In some cases, the neck injury is more severe and will require surgery to heal. Neck injuries like herniated cervical discs may require surgery.
Neck Injury Warning Signs to Watch For
Some warning sign indicators that your neck injury may be more severe include pain shooting down your shoulder or your arm and experiencing numbness in your arms and hands. It is important to tell your doctor all of the symptoms that you are experiencing so that if your neck injury is more serious, your doctor may catch it earlier, which can give you a faster recovery.
Work Accident Neck Injuries in Georgia
If you have recently injured your neck at work in Georgia, Gearhart Law Group can help. Contact our office today for a free consultation to begin pursuing the workers’ compensation benefits that you need.
