Nobody expects to get a hernia, but they are all too common. If you have recently been diagnosed with a hernia, you might wonder where it came from. For all too many people, the common culprit is the workplace. If you have been struggling with a hernia, you may be able to pursue a workers compensation claim.

What Is a Hernia?

First things first, a hernia is rupture in the muscular wall that allows an organ to protrude outside of the area where it belongs. Hernias often result from weak muscles or straining too hard. People who work at jobs that require them to lift heavy items or carry things are more likely to have hernias than others.

Most people with hernias have an easy diagnosis. They typically bulge out in a manner that makes them easy to spot, even by those who are not medical professionals. Most people can also push on the bulge and feel it pop back into place, but it will pop back out. Hernias may occur in the abdominal, thigh, or groin regions, and they can be more than annoying.

A hernia requires medical treatment to correct. This means you will have to come in for surgery and likely take some time off work to recover. If you do not receive treatment, the hernia can worsen and lead to other health complications, including pain, discomfort, burning, and swelling.

Do You Have a Workers Compensation Claim?

If you have a hernia, you may have a good claim for workers comp. In order to have a strong case, you must prove that an incident at work led to the formation of a hernia. Perhaps you began to experience symptoms of a hernia immediately following being asked to pick up a large box by a manager, for example

If you have risk factors for a hernia, you may not have a strong claim. Risk factors include chronic coughing, pregnancy, low birth weight, and chronic constipation. These conditions can make it much more difficult to prove that work was the sole cause of your hernia.

What Should You Do?

If you think you might have a hernia caused by your work, you should consult with a workers compensation attorney. These attorneys help you determine if you have a strong case and how to proceed. Any workers compensation case can be difficult to prove, so having somebody on your side can be incredibly helpful.  

Contact a firm, like Neifert Byrne & Ozga, for more help.