Every year, thousands of New Jersey workers are hurt on the job, often experiencing injuries that can have a major impact on their ability to perform their jobs — and get their much-needed pay. Fortunately, the workers’ compensation process was put in place to protect injured workers and help make sure they get the medical and workplace support they need to help them recover without suffering additional financial losses.
That said, navigating workers’ compensation claims procedures isn’t always easy. The claims process follows a strict timeline, and even simple mistakes can lead to major delays or claims denials.
The good news: The team at Mid-Jersey Orthopaedics has the expertise that’s required to treat workplace injuries within the framework of the state’s workers’ compensation framework, so you can focus on your recovery without being overwhelmed by the bureaucratic process. Here, learn why orthopaedic care is so essential for your workers’ comp claim.
Like any type of injury, workplace injuries occur in different ways and affect individuals differently, too. The impact on a specific job can also vary based on the type and severity of the injury and the duties you’re expected to accomplish. For this reason, workplace injuries require a patient-centered approach that considers all these individual factors.
Orthopaedic specialists are especially adept at evaluating workplace injuries because most injuries involve your musculoskeletal system. From breaks to sprains to muscle strains, orthopaedists are skilled in not only relieving your symptoms but in helping you regain your pre-injury level of function and mobility.
And there’s one more benefit: Having a skilled orthopaedist on your side ensures your injury is fully documented, an essential part of the workers’ compensation claim process. Without clear, concise medical records about your injury and your treatment plan, your claim can be delayed or even outright denied.
Finally, our orthopaedists work closely with medical care providers in other fields, including physical therapists, neurologists, and occupational therapists, to ensure you receive complete care focused not only on immediate results, but on long-term recovery and future injury prevention, too.
Your claims process depends on a thorough initial evaluation of your injuries to establish a basis for compensation. Before any treatment is prescribed, our team performs a comprehensive examination, including a review of how the accident happened, your current symptoms, and your occupational duties.
We also perform a physical exam and, often, diagnostic imaging to provide as much detail as possible about the physical impact on your body. This last item is essential for ensuring your treatment is focused on determining when you can safely return to work or if you might need workplace accommodations.
Remember: Healing from an injury doesn’t stop once your symptoms are relieved. Getting back to your job duties requires careful planning, especially if your job involves heavy lifting, repetitive motion, or long hours on your feet or even sitting hunched over a computer or machine.
Our team works with you and your employer to support workplace conditioning goals and design return-to-work plans that are tailored to your injury and the demands of your specific job. During your recovery, we may recommend light-duty assignments, a gradual increase in physical demands, and typically, a specific timeline for resuming your full duties to avoid reinjury and long-term disability.
Navigating the workers’ compensation process in NJ can seem overwhelming, especially considering that even a single misstep can result in unwanted delays. It’s important to know you have a medical team on your side who understands that process and can help you navigate it successfully.
If you’ve been injured at your job, we can help. To learn more, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Mid-Jersey Orthopaedics today.
