Labor-intensive jobs can give rise to all kinds of injuries. If one of your employees recently developed a hernia, you may wonder whether they have a legitimate workers’ compensation claim.
Is a hernia considered a work-related injury? Learn more below, then consult WorkSafe for guidance on protecting occupational health in Wichita, KS.
What Is a Hernia, and How Does It Develop?
Hernias are injuries that happen when part of an organ pushes through the muscle wall, leading to a protrusion of tissue. They commonly occur near the inner or outer groin, belly button, or upper stomach. The most common type is the inguinal hernia, which happens when part of the bowel protrudes into the inguinal canal along the inner thigh.
Common hernia symptoms include:
- A visible lump or bulge that becomes visible in certain positions
- A pinching feeling or dull ache when the hernia appears
- Pain when laughing, lifting, straining, or coughing
Hernias often develop as repetitive stress injuries due to years of pressure or exertion. Sometimes, this exertion happens in the workplace. Jobs that involve heavy lifting or repetitive bending, twisting, or pushing can cause hernias to develop over time.
When Is a Hernia Considered a Work-Related Injury?
Is a hernia considered a work-related injury? There are many types of hernias, and some arise due to specific causes that are not job-related. For example, an incisional hernia occurs when tissue pushes through a former abdominal incision. Other types are congenital, meaning that they are present from birth.
However, hernias can also develop due to repetitive strain and heavy lifting, which are common in labor-intensive jobs. A person could reasonably develop a work-related hernia if they have to lift heavy objects for work or bend over frequently for their job duties.
A hernia can also result from a sudden, straining event. For example, perhaps a worker bent to lift a heavy box and immediately felt pain. They may have filed an incident report and sought medical attention, only to find that a hernia developed from the incident.
Some states even have legal presumptions for certain occupations, like firefighters and police officers, stating that hernias are work-related. If a firefighter in one of these states developed a hernia, they would generally have grounds for a workers’ compensation claim unless their employer proved otherwise.
In other professions, if a worker can show that their hernia arose due to their job requirements, they will likely qualify for workers’ compensation.
How Can Workers Prove That Their Hernia Is Job-Related?
Hernia workers’ compensation eligibility usually depends on the worker showing that their injury developed in the course of their job duties. Hernias are often more challenging to tie to work events because they can develop slowly over time and do not always arise from a singular injury.
In Kansas, the worker must notify their employer within 20 days of seeking medical attention or learning that their condition was job-related, whichever is earlier. They must also provide medical documentation linking the injury to work, such as a physician’s note stating that the hernia could have developed as a result of the worker’s specific movements or job duties at work.
Preventing Hernias in the Workplace
Workplace hernia injury claims can increase an employer’s insurance premiums and create administrative burdens. It’s generally best to take steps to prevent workplace injuries, including repetitive strain injuries like hernias.
Employers are responsible for teaching workers proper lifting techniques to avoid straining the back or abdominal muscles. Workers should bend at the knees, not the waist, when lifting heavy objects to prevent strains.
In workplaces in which hernias are common, employers may provide supportive belts to help reduce the risk of injury. Offering plenty of breaks can also reduce strain on workers.
It may also be worthwhile to consult with an occupational health clinic to pinpoint injury risks in your workplace and learn effective measures to prevent them. A professional can examine your workers’ lifting procedures and identify unsafe practices.
Reduce the Risk of Hernias and Repetitive Strain Injuries With WorkSafe
Is a hernia considered a work-related injury? It certainly can be, especially in work environments that involve heavy lifting or repetitive bending or twisting.
Hernia work injury claims can be expensive and lower employee morale. WorkSafe has over 20 years of experience helping employers prevent and manage work injuries.
If your workers consistently experience overexertion injuries, allow us to identify risk factors and help you prevent work-related discomfort from becoming a recordable injury. Contact WorkSafe today at 316-262-8800 to request a no-obligation call.