Many different professions in Florida can cause chronic back pain. Those in manufacturing or other blue-collar professions may frequently lift and twist throughout the day, leading to repetitive stress on their spine that can cause ongoing pain symptoms. Those in the service industry may spend their entire shift on their feet, which can lead to back pain as well. Even those in sedentary professions, like office workers and truck drivers, could develop back pain symptoms if they do not have proper ergonomic support during their work hours.
Many workers ignore back pain symptoms when they initially develop and simply try to go about doing their jobs. Although those individuals may have an admirable work ethic, their choice to ignore their symptoms may lead to issues in the future.
Their pain could potentially worsen
When someone’s job responsibilities trigger their back pain, they may find that their condition slowly worsens as time progresses. Not only may they discover that their pain levels continue to worsen as time passes, but their pain may start earlier in their shift.
Eventually, workers may have pain that bothers them after their shift ends and even before they go to work. They may have trouble sleeping at night and performing basic daily tasks for themselves and their families. The pain could eventually reach a point where someone cannot safely do their job anymore. Chronic back pain may only get worse with time if people do not receive treatment and also give their back enough rest time to heal.
Their symptoms could cost them their jobs
Workers trying to do their jobs despite the pain they feel may slow down. Their productivity may drop, which could lead to their employer penalizing them. Other times, they may have more difficulty focusing, which could lead to preventable mistakes on the job and disciplinary actions by their employer.
If a worker has not already reported their back pain, they may face consequences including job loss because of the symptoms triggered by their employment. Those who speak up about their symptoms may have an easier time accessing medical treatment. They can also ask their employers for accommodations, such as ergonomic support or changes to their job responsibilities, which can help them reduce their symptoms and help them continue performing their jobs properly. The unfortunate truth is that back pain triggered by job responsibilities is unlikely to simply end on its own.
Workers must speak up for themselves to protect against worsening symptoms and potential job consequences in the event that they are experiencing pain exacerbated by their working conditions. And, ultimately, it’s important to keep in mind that pursuing a Florida workers’ compensation claim is a reasonable reaction to back pain related to someone’s employment.