If you’ve sustained an accident at work and are dealing with a rib fracture, you need medical attention at once.
Your rib cage is made up of 12 pairs of ribs, and though these bones are extremely strong to protect all the vital organs that lie behind them, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to damage them. Breaking a rib can even happen on the job, as a result of a direct hit to the chest, a vehicle accident, or a bad fall.
Additionally, broken ribs take time to heal, and can make daily activities a lot harder, and a lot more painful. What’s worse, your recovery process may even take longer if there is a mistake in your workers’ comp claim.
The Magnitude of a Broken Rib
A broken rib can be hard to see and presents mostly as extreme pain in the chest area. It’s important to see a doctor after a bad fall or a direct hit to the chest to see what’s the state of your ribs. You’ll need a chest X-ray or CT scan for a definitive diagnosis.
You’ll be surprised to find that broken ribs are mostly left to be healed on their own, without any supportive bandages or devices. However, you’ll most likely have to be on bed rest and, depending on how severe the pains are, might have to take some prescription painkillers to manage this symptom.
In very serious cases, you may also need surgery, especially if the fracture is making it harder for you to breathe. As for the time of recovery, you can generally expect to need about six weeks for your fracture to heal.
How Can a Mistake Affect Your Recovery?
In a workers’ compensation claim, there is a fixed procedure injured workers have to abide by in order to receive compensation. Failing to do so may result in a battle with the insurance company, which in turn drags on the process and affects the time of your recovery.
These mistakes include:
- Not filing a workers’ comp claim within 30 days of the accident. If you wait longer than that, you can no longer seek workers comp benefits, which means you may have to cover the costs of treatment yourself. Most health insurance policies exclude injuries sustained at work, so you’ll most likely have to pay out of pocket.
- Not having proof that the injury is work-related. This can prompt the insurance company to launch its own investigation into what happened, which means your treatment and recovery process is put on hold until they have a definitive answer.
- Not working with a lawyer. A good work injury attorney can help you navigate the system with ease and make sure your treatment is on track.
Speak With an Attorney Today!
If you’ve sustained an accident at work and are dealing with a rib fracture, you need medical attention at once. Reach out to a workers comp lawyer for additional help in filing the claim. Give us a call 24/7 at (816) 399-3706 for a FREE case evaluation!
