I Got Hurt on the Job: What Should I Do?

Have you been hurt on the job? If you have workers’ compensation benefits, you’re entitled to medical care as part of your benefits. You can get the help you need to reduce your pain so you can get back to your life. 

First, you’ll want to report your injury to your employer and get a proper diagnosis right away, so you can get the documentation you need to file for your workers’ comp benefits, including medical care and lost wages due to injury. 

At Spine & Pain Center of San Antonio in San Antonio and Live Oak, Texas, Sergio Alvarado, MD, and our expert team can evaluate your injuries and help you get the proper diagnosis to file appropriately with your employer. With our comprehensive workers’ compensation services, you get the care you need at no cost to you. 

What to do if you’re hurt on the job 

There are many ways to get hurt on the job. You may have slipped and fallen, spraining a wrist or an ankle, or maybe you’ve suffered a head injury. No matter what happened, the first step is to report your injury. After you’ve reported your injury, you should:

1. Get a prompt and accurate medical diagnosis
2. File for your workers’ comp benefits 
3. Follow doctor’s orders and keep your appointments
4. Maintain meticulous medical records 

Even if your injury seems minor, when you see our doctors right away, you’re protecting yourself in case the injury worsens down the road. It’s much harder to claim workers’ comp benefits weeks or months after an injury that hasn’t been documented.

What are some common work injuries?

The types of work injuries you could incur vary wildly based on the type of work you do and your environment. For example, if you operate heavy machinery on construction sites, you’re more at risk of serious injuries, such as being hit by heavy objects or sustaining a deep cut.

But office workers are at risk of injury too, including back pain and repetitive stress injuries. However, the right workstation setup can help reduce such pains. 

Workers’ compensation covers a wide range of injuries, from burns and cuts to neck pain and back pain. If your injury started at work, alert your employer and get medical attention ASAP. 

What kind of medical treatment can you expect? 

Dr. Alvarado and our team evaluate your current injuries, assess your medical history and lifestyle, and make appropriate recommendations. At Spine & Pain Center of San Antonio, we offer many options for pain relief, including: 

• Epidural steroid injections 
• Nerve blocks 
• Radiofrequency ablation 
• Spinal cord stimulation 
• Acupuncture 
• Chiropractic care 
• Spinal decompression 
• Electrical nerve stimulation 
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Botox® injections 
• Biofeedback 
• Ketamine infusion therapy

There are many ways to treat pain. Our team makes recommendations for the best pain management approach customized to your situation. We also help you take care of the necessary paperwork you need to receive your workers’ compensation benefits.

If you’ve been injured on the job in Texas, come and see us at Spine & Pain Center of San Antonio. Give us a call today, or use our easy online booking feature to schedule a visit at your nearest office in San Antonio or Live Oak, Texas, any time.