For many workers in South Carolina who have been hurt on the job, chronic pain is a daily reality. Learning how to manage and cope with chronic pain can be difficult to do, especially without the financial resources that make seeking pain management economically feasible.
However, if you have been injured at work and are suffering from pain as a result, South Carolina workers’ compensation benefits can provide compensation that is designed to help you get the medical care and support you need. The Florence workers’ compensation lawyers of Jebaily Law Firm can help you to get through the process of seeking these benefits.
Types of Chronic Pain that Affect Workers
Workers may suffer from chronic pain as a result of a variety of different workplace injuries. According to an article published in the American Journal of Managed Care, there are two types of chronic pain:
- Nociceptive – Pain that is caused by damage to bodily tissues.
- Neuropathic – Pain that occurs when there is actual nerve damage.
Injuries and accidents that may lead to chronic pain include:
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Burn injuries
- Carpal tunnel
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back injuries
- Crush injuries
- Bone injuries
- Heavy lifting
- Acute and traumatic injuries.
Pain Management for Injuries at Work
When a worker is suffering from chronic pain, pain management techniques may be essential. In some cases, seeking treatment from a medical clinic, which focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain may be recommended. Other strategies for pain relief and management may also be employed, including:
- Over-the-counter pain medications
- Prescription pain medications
- Corticosteroids
- Opioid pain medication
- Antidepressants
- Physical therapy
- Aquatic therapy
- Surgery
- Relaxation techniques
- Psychological support.
Keep in mind that using medications to manage chronic pain can be risky. According to an article published in The New York Times, the use of painkillers to help injured workers recover from painful injuries is costly, and it is associated with problems in returning to work.
Obtaining Workers’ Compensation Benefits to Deal With Chronic Pain
People who are injured in South Carolina and seek medical care for their injuries have the right to “appropriate and effective pain relief,” according to the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners.
If you have been injured on the job and are eligible for workers’ compensation, then you are also most likely eligible to receive medical benefits for pain management. However, note that South Carolina workers’ compensation law requires that medical providers “receive authorization from the employer or insurance carrier prior to providing treatment.”
Also, you should know that if your pain prevents you from returning to the job at which you worked prior to your injury, you may be entitled to additional benefits.
Get Help from a Florence Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
If you have further questions about how you can file a workers’ compensation claim for pain management after a workplace injury, get in touch with the South Carolina workers’ compensation attorneys at Jebaily Law Firm. You can call or contact us online to request your free case consultation.
