Getting hurt at work can flip your life upside down. Back injuries are one of the most common reasons people miss time from work, especially in jobs that involve heavy lifting, bending, or long hours sitting at a desk. Whether the injury came from a sudden accident or built up over time, it can leave you in serious pain and unsure of what to do next.
If you’re dealing with lower back pain because of your job, here’s what you need to know about how it happens, what steps to take, and how to protect your rights in California.
Common Types of Work-Related Back Injuries
Your back is made up of bones, muscles, discs, and nerves. When something goes wrong with any of these parts, it can affect how you move and feel. Here are some injuries that often happen at work:
- Strains and sprains: These affect the muscles and ligaments in your back and can happen from lifting, twisting, or overreaching.
- Herniated or bulging discs: The discs between your spine bones can slip out of place, which often leads to shooting pain, numbness, or weakness.
- Sciatica: This happens when a nerve in your lower back gets pinched, causing pain that travels down one or both legs.
- Spinal stenosis: This is when the space inside your spine narrows, putting pressure on your spinal cord or nerves.
- Fractures or traumatic injuries: These can come from a fall or a sudden accident like a car crash or falling off a ladder.
Back injuries can either come from one single incident or build up over time. These are known as specific injuries and cumulative trauma.
How Back Injuries Happen at Work
Not all back pain starts with a big accident. Some injuries happen slowly because of repeated movements or bad posture. Some of the most common causes of workplace back injuries include:
- Lifting heavy boxes or equipment
- Twisting or bending while carrying something
- Sitting in a bad chair for long hours
- Pushing or pulling heavy carts
- Slipping or falling
- Vehicle accidents, especially in delivery or driving jobs
Even jobs that seem low-risk, like office work, can cause serious back issues if you sit in the wrong position all day.
How to Report a Work Back Injury in California
If your back starts hurting at work, you need to speak up right away. Even if the pain seems small, it could turn into something more serious later.
Here’s what to do:
- Tell your employer or supervisor as soon as possible. California law gives you 30 days to report the injury, but the sooner you do it, the better.
- Ask for a DWC-1 claim form. This is the form you need to start your workers’ compensation claim.
- Get medical care. Your employer may give you a list of doctors you’re allowed to see. If the injury is serious, go to the ER.
- Explain how the injury is work-related. Be clear with your doctor and employer about how the pain started and what job tasks caused it.
- Follow your treatment plan. Keep all your appointments, take your medicine, and follow doctor instructions closely.
How to Prove Your Injury Is Work-Related
To get workers’ compensation, you have to show that your back pain was caused by your job. This can be simple in some cases and harder in others.
Here are ways you can prove it:
- Get a written diagnosis from your doctor that connects the injury to your work duties
- Ask co-workers to back up your story
- Use security camera footage or reports from supervisors if there was an accident
- Show treatment records and proof that you followed medical advice
It gets trickier with cumulative trauma, where the pain didn’t come from a single moment. These claims often need more medical evidence and may be denied at first.
What Workers’ Compensation Covers for Back Injuries
If your claim is accepted, workers’ compensation may cover:
- Medical bills: including doctor visits, imaging like MRIs, physical therapy, and surgery
- Temporary disability payments if you can’t work for a while
- Permanent disability benefits if the injury causes lasting problems
- Job retraining if you can’t return to your old job
If your claim is denied or delayed, you may need help fighting for your benefits.
When You Might Need a Lawyer
Some back injuries are simple, but others get complicated fast. You might need legal help if:
- Your claim is denied or delayed
- The insurance company says your injury isn’t work-related
- Your pain is serious and long-lasting
- You’re being asked to go back to work before you’re ready
- You’re not getting the right medical care or wage payments
An experienced workers’ comp lawyer can help you understand your rights, collect the right medical evidence, and fight for full benefits.
Don’t Wait to Get Help
Back pain can sneak up on you, but it doesn’t have to ruin your health or career. If you hurt your back at work, don’t wait around hoping it gets better. Report it, get treatment, and protect your rights. If things get complicated or you’re not being treated fairly, it may be time to talk to a lawyer who handles work injury cases.
If you’re in the Los Angeles area and your back injury happened on the job, call (323) 954-1800 today to get the help you need. You shouldn’t have to deal with the pain and paperwork alone.