Hernias

In any occupation that involves lifting or other physical strain, hernias are a relatively common workplace injury. A hernia is caused when an organ or the tissue surrounding an organ is pushed through the structure that contains it. For example, heavy exertion can cause the intestines or the tissue around them to push through the abdominal wall. Most hernias can be treated with simple surgery and are not usually seriously debilitating, but more serious hernias can be life-threatening.

If the small intestine is pushed through the abdominal wall, the resulting pressure can obstruct the intestines, preventing food from moving through them as normal. In addition, this constriction can result in reduced blood flow to the affected organs. Both of those factors can lead to serious illnesses, even resulting in gangrene and death.

Hernia Treatment and Care

With prompt medical treatment, however, even the most severe hernias can be repaired if caught early. Despite this, very serious hernias, or ones caught later on, can require long-term lifestyle changes. In many cases, doctors forbid people who have suffered from hernias from doing further heavy lifting for a period of time, possibly forever. In professions that require lots of lifting, this can of course seriously interfere with the patient’s ability to work.

For people who have suffered from a serious hernia, workers’ compensation provides a way to offset the cost of medical bills and return to work as soon as possible. Filing for workers’ compensation can be a difficult process, and the frequency of minor hernias means that it can be difficult to make your case, even with a severe hernia. For that reason, working with the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams can be invaluable for getting the compensation you need.

Contact Us

To discuss your case with an experienced lawyer, contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams today at 215-238-1130