Hernia Injury at Work

Workers' Compensation

Safety gear at a construction siteInjuries on the job can happen any time, especially if you are in a physically demanding field. The Indianapolis, IN work injury and accident attorneys of Golitko & Daly can help you if you have suffered harm at your workplace. Our legal team can aid with workers’ compensation appeals as well as lawsuits over unsafe working conditions.

Many people in physically demanding jobs suffer from hernias while going about their normal tasks. Let’s cover some of the basics of hernias and how they are treated. We’ll then consider how our attorneys can help workers who suffer from a hernia while they are on the job.

What Is a Hernia?

A hernia occurs when an organ or part of an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle tissue that’s meant to keep the organ in place. When an organ is pushed out of position, it can lead to serious pain and discomfort, and can also increase the risk of a number of health problems.

Hernias usually occur in the abdominal area, though they can also occur around the groin, belly button, upper thigh, and other parts of the body. The most common signs and symptoms to look out for include:

  • An unexpected bulge appearing
  • Discomfort around the bulge
  • Weakness or pressure around the bulge
  • Burning sensation around the bulge

What Causes Hernias?

There are numerous possible causes of hernias, including problems with bowel movements, obesity, and poor general health. Our Indianapolis workplace injury lawyers want to consider hernias In the context of occupational injuries, however.

When it comes to work injuries and accidents, hernias are typically associated with extreme physical exertion, such as the lifting or pushing of heavy objects. The strain results in the organ being squeezed and pushed out of position.

Types of Hernias

There are a few different types of hernias. Let’s consider two of the most common types when it comes to injuries from physical exertion:

  • Inguinal Hernia – The inguinal hernia comprises an estimated 70 percent of all reported hernias. These kinds of hernias affect men and occur in the groin.
  • Hiatal Hernia – The hiatal hernia occurs when part of a person’s stomach pushes past the diaphragm out of the abdomen into the lower part of the chest.

Hernia Treatment

Treating a hernia may involve lifestyle changes or changes in your diet supplemented by the use of pain medication. Surgical treatments may be recommended if the bulge will not go away on its own. In these cases, the surgical treatment will involve repositioning the affected organ and sealing the space in the muscle tissue that was pushed through.

How Hernias Affect Your Ability to Work

If you suffer from an inguinal or hiatal hernia while doing your job, you’ll typically notice serious discomfort when lifting objects or performing normal duties. Work may become practically impossible given the pain you are in; your job duties may also be dangerous given how they can aggravate your hernia.

It’s important that you get proper treatment if you suffer from a hernia while on the job.

Workers’ Compensation and Hernias

Many people who develop a hernia while working will qualify for workers’ compensation benefits to aid in recuperation from the injury and treatment. If you are denied workers’ compensation benefits over your hernia, our attorneys can help you with the appeals process.

Potential Work Injury Lawsuits Over Hernias

The hernia you suffered could be the result of unsafe work conditions or a company making unreasonable physical demands of its employees. If that is the case, our Indianapolis occupational injury lawyers will make sure that the negligent and reckless parties are held accountable for endangering workers.

Contact Our Work Injury Attorneys

To learn more about your legal options following a hernia, be sure to contact our team of work injury attorneys. The legal team at Golitko & Daly can be reached by phone at (317) 942-3596.