The Effects of Pain

Alabama Job Injury Lawyers Effects of Pain

A few years back I had some serious health problems, and in an 8 month span I had to undergo 4 surgeries. During my recover, I learned something about pain I never knew before.

Sure, I had broken some bones growing up, had 2 concussions while playing football, things like that, but I had never had a serious operation. I just did not have any idea how painful one serious surgery could be-much less multiple. I also did not comprehend just how pain medication could mess you up-cognitively and emotionally.

The idea that you can return to work doing much of anything shortly after a major operation is ridiculous. Chronic pain affects your thinking; when the pain is bad, all you can think about it stopping the pain-job duties are irrelevant. It is hard to remember what happens if you are taking pain medication, much less do any job with any degree of competence. Pain and the side effects of pain medication will make you irritable and more emotional, and making you go to work in this condition is a recipe for disaster. Pain medication can lead to depression, constipation (which can be very painful-trust me) and cause other side effects.

I have had surgeons in the past release my clients back to work days after major surgery because according to the law, if an employer will accommodate any restrictions, they can force the injured worker to return to work or risk forfeiting any right to temporary total disability benefits. This just isn’t right, and I now believe it can actually be dangerous.

I am now convinced that surgeons should totally take their patients off duty after a major surgery regardless of the promises from the workers comp adjusters as to how the employer will accommodate any physical restrictions. It will take weeks before you feel capable of returning to work, and this isn’t to do your actual job duties. If your surgeon acts as though they have been asked to return you to work with restrictions shortly after surgery-TALK TO THEM. Let them know how you are feeling and about your concerns. Ask them if they would return you to work if you were not recovering from a job injury.

If you were hurt at work and you have questions about your right to Alabama Workers Compensation benefits, don’t hesitate to contact and speak with one of the experienced Alabama Job Injury Lawyers at Powell and Denny.

Powell and Denny: We Work When You Can’t

Offices in Birmingham, AL and Huntsville, AL

Powell and Denny have been selected as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report for each of the last 5 years, have been selected as one of Birmingham’s Top Lawyers by B-Metro Magazine for the last 3 years, have been selected by The National Advocates as one of the Top 20 Workers’ Compensation Firms (plaintiffs) and Powell and Denny, P.C.-has been selected as one of the “Best of the Best” law firms by The American Registry.

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Alabama Job Injury Lawyers Effects of Pain