Broken ribs can slow you down
While there are many injuries you can suffer at your place of employment, broken ribs don’t often come to mind. However, this is an injury that many people face. It’s also one that can slow you down for quite some time.
The unique thing about broken ribs is that there isn’t much you can do from a treatment perspective. For example, you can’t put a cast on this part of your body.
Generally speaking, this injury will heal on its own over time, typically within six weeks. Even so, you need to restrict activity during this period in order to give your body the best chance of making a fast and full recovery.
Once you are able to control the pain and discomfort, your medical team may suggest breathing exercises as to help avoid additional health concerns, such as developing pneumonia.
If you have any reason to believe you are dealing with broken ribs, you need to consult with a medical professional. He or she can conduct an exam, while also ordering x-rays. This is the best way to determine exactly what is going on.
Since broken ribs can slow you down, you may not be able to return to your job right away. In this case, you’ll need to learn more about your rights to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
If you qualify for these benefits, you can receive payments until you are able to return to work. These benefits ensure that it’s much easier to get by during this difficult time of your life.
If your initial claim is denied for any reason, file an appeal within the appropriate time frame. You don’t want to give up on receiving the benefits you deserve.
Source: Mayo Clinic, “Broken ribs,” accessed Jan. 24, 2018