Can You Get Workers’ Compensation For A Pulled Muscle?

Pulled muscles are a common injury that most people have experienced in their lives. They can also be one of the mildest of injuries, causing a temporary inconvenience, ache, or pain. But that is not always true. Some pulled muscles can cause significant injury, even requiring surgical intervention, which can cause high medical bills and lost wages. However, surgery is not necessary for a pulled muscle to cause losses, as some pulled muscles can prevent a person from being able to work—especially individuals with physical jobs such as lifting boxes, walking to deliver, or building in construction. This is why individuals who suffer a pulled muscle may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, and our workers’ comp lawyer in Pennsauken, NJ, can help you obtain those benefits.

Here at The Law Offices of Craig A. Altman, our bodily injury lawyers have dedicated their careers to protecting the rights of a person who has been injured in a workplace accident or incident. We understand the true impact of a work-related injury on individuals and their families, especially when surgery, physical therapy, or other prolonged treatment is required. If you or a loved one suffered any type of workplace injury or illness, call our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in NJ, to schedule a FREE consultation to learn about your rights.

What is a Pulled Muscle?

Although many people say any ache or pain they have is a pulled muscle, conferring the impression that a pulled muscle is a mild pain or injury, it is not always true.

A pulled muscle is another name for a muscle strain. Strains are injuries to a muscle caused when they are overstretched or torn. While mild or moderate strains can be treated at home with ice/heat, anti-inflammatory medications, compression, and rest, some strains will require medical treatment, especially severe ones.

There are three grades of strains, which are the following:

• Grade 1 – mild strain where some muscle fibers are stretched
• Grade 2 – moderate strain where more muscle fibers are not only stretched but also damaged, torn, sheared, or cut
• Grade 3 – severe strain where the muscle is completely torn (ruptured) which may take months to heal and usually requires surgical intervention.

Grade 2 and Grade 3 may need surgical intervention, but a Grade 2 will usually heal on its own. However, the treatment for a Grade 1, Grade 2, or Grade 3 usually starts with resting the injury. That means if a person suffers a strain and cannot work, they may have lost wages.

Can I Recover Workers’ Compensation for a Pulled Muscle?

Yes, absolutely. Although most people associate pulled muscles as minor injuries, that is a misconception. Workers who suffer a pulled muscle or muscle strain, especially construction workers, laborers, or anyone who must physically perform work, will likely be kept out of work by a doctor to rest the injury. This will result in lost wages.

Some injured workers will be required to have surgery. This will keep individuals out of work for a prolonged period of time, and then result in the need for physical therapy, which may take up more days of work (and cost more money).

Pennsylvania law allows injured workers to recover up to two-thirds (2/3s) of their lost wages and be reimbursed for their medical bills. If your pulled muscle or muscle strain has cost you lost wages or medical bills, call our law firm for help.

Our Experienced Workers’ Comp Lawyers Can Help

At the Law Offices of Craig Altman, our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers, can help injured workers and their families recover the WC benefits they are entitled to under New Jersey law. Contact us today to speak to an attorney about your case.