A significant portion of the working population deals with chronic headaches.
While not visible to the naked eye, this condition can be debilitating for those that suffer from it. The good news is that these people have a few options at their disposal that can improve their situation significantly. We explain them and provide some additional information in the sections below.
Why This Condition Shouldn’t Be Ignored
One of the worst parts about headaches is that nobody can see that you are in pain. Rather than being apparent to the people around you, this condition is invisible. Still, you shouldn’t ignore it just because you feel it isn’t life-threatening. Chronic headaches can cause discomfort,
Occupations at Risk
The truth is that almost any employee can become the victim of chronic headaches. Stress, lack of sleep, and other contributing factors present themselves in a variety of professions. That being said, jobs that require especially mind-numbing work or loud noises are more dangerous than others. An example of the former is repetitive computer tasks at an office job, while the latter would include jobs like construction and manufacturing.
Acute Vs. Chronic
Most people with headache issues are in pain nearly every day. This is called a chronic condition, and it is incredibly frustrating to deal with. On the other hand, you might deal with an acute event that causes a headache. A typical example is employees that work in a building with a gas leak. They might experience significant pain before that leak is found and resolved. Chronic and acute issues have different treatments, so be sure to assess your situation and find out which you’re dealing with.
The Tricky Aspect of Obtaining Compensation
What makes obtaining workers’ compensation so difficult is that you must prove that your headaches come as a direct result of your job. Even if you think that is the case, there is a chance that your employer will claim that there isn’t enough proof and that your issues could stem from your home life or genetics. This hurdle is what makes hiring an attorney so crucial, as you might not be able to obtain any compensation if you go at it alone.
Accommodations
Instead of compensation, or in addition to, you can seek accommodations from your employer. These usually come in the form of adjustments to your day to day experience on the job. The most common of them is changing your location within the workplace to somewhere with less noise. Another is varying your duties throughout the day, so you don’t burn out on one task.
If you suffer from headaches, know that you have options at your disposal. Depending on the severity of your headaches, one of your options is to speak with a workers compensation attorney and seek benefits. Another is asking your employer for accommodations. Ultimately, you should be able to resolve your issues through medical treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and changing the nature of your job. Give us a call today at (816) 399-3706 to discuss your claim free of charge.