It is not uncommon for chronic pain to become a real issue in your life after a workplace injury. Many South Carolina workers deal with various forms of chronic pain and pain management procedures. Such procedures and medications can treat, minimize, and prevent chronic pain from disrupting your life, and they are an absolute necessity for many injuries. Yet, the procedures and prescriptions that are needed to manage chronic pain after any kind of injury are expensive, so that many who need it simply can’t afford it.
This is where injured workers want to know whether or not their pain management needs are covered by their workers’ compensation benefits. This all depends on whether the pain management is ordered by an approved physician and deemed to be medically necessary and reasonable. That explanation may make you feel like it’s all out of your hands and up to someone who hasn’t experienced your level of pain, but you are not alone. If your pain management expenses have been denied by your workers’ compensation provider or if your approved physician will not order pain management treatment when you need it, then you do still have some options and some control over the situation. You have legal rights under South Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws, and an SC workers’ compensation attorney can help.
Workers Experience Different Types of Chronic Pain
There are different types of chronic pain that can affect an injured worker in South Carolina, and they fall into two primary categories, Nociceptive and Neuropathic. Nociceptive pain occurs when any bodily tissues are damaged. This type of pain is often sharp or throbbing. Neuropathic pain is more complex and involves actual damage or injury to your nerve fibers, which then send the information to your brain’s pain centers.
Chronic Pain is Caused by Many Different Work Related Injuries
There are all sorts of work related injuries that can cause chronic pain in South Carolina employees. The most common sources of chronic pain include repetitive stress injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome, burn injuries, and soft tissue injuries. Bone injuries, back injuries, and other heavy lifting injuries are also common sources of chronic pain. Further, any injury that is traumatic to any given part of your body is likely to result in chronic pain symptoms.
How Can You Manage Chronic Pain After a Workplace Injury?
There are many methods of managing chronic pain after workplace injuries in South Carolina. For example, you may need to go to a pain management clinic. You may also take prescription pain medicines or OTC medications. Sometimes a doctor will prescribe corticosteroids or opioid pain medicine. Beyond this, there are physical therapy options, including aquatic therapy and relaxation techniques that work for some. In some cases, surgery is needed to address chronic pain that is associated with work related injuries. Finally, it is often beneficial to seek psychological support, and even anti-depressants to treat the effects of chronic pain.
The Risks of Using Prescription Medication to Treat Chronic Pain
For many, prescription medications are necessary to treat chronic pain after workplace injuries. However, this can be hazardous to your health and ability to return to work. Beyond that, it is a very expensive option when used long term, and many pain prescriptions are addictive. It is wise to use other methods where possible to reduce and manage your pain.
Make Sure Your Chronic Pain Treatment is Covered by South Carolina Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ Compensation laws in South Carolina do allow for your pain relief and treatment to be covered by your benefits. The provider of treatment must receive authorization before treating your pain, and the treatment must be necessary and reasonable. If you are denied for such coverage for any reason, then a South Carolina workers’ compensation attorney can help to defend your right to coverage and ensure that you get the benefits that you need. If your pain or pain management needs prevent you from returning to work or force you to take a lesser paying job, then you may also be eligible for additional wage benefits
Contact David R. Price, Jr., P.A. for More Information
If you are struggling to get your chronic pain management expenses covered after a South Carolina workplace injury, or if you have questions about this process, contact a skilled workers’ comp attorney in Greenville at David R. Price, Jr., P.A. today. We are happy to provide a free consultation and answer your questions.