I didn’t have an accident but I hurt myself at work. What can I do?
Some types of injuries or disabilities develop over time. These injuries could be related to your work, if your work causes them or makes them worse.
These types of injuries include:
- repetitive strain injuries, which are caused by overusing a part of your body
- occupational diseases, such as lung cancer, heart disease, and hearing loss
- allergies, asthma, skin irritations, or other symptoms caused by conditions in your workplace
- psychological injuries caused by a shocking event or a physical injury at work
- traumatic mental stress such as physical violence or witnesses a death
- chronic mental stress such as by a supervisor or co-worker
- an old injury that starts up again
- a medical condition that gets worse because of work, such as arthritis
Keep notes
You should also keep notes about your symptoms and how and when you have them.
This might help you figure out what is causing or making your injury or symptoms worse.
Talk to your doctor
When you see your doctor about your symptoms, your doctor may ask if they're related to your work.
You may not know for sure. But to help figure this out, you and your doctor should talk in detail about work duties.
Talk to your supervisor and employer
If you or your doctor think your work might be making your injury worse, tell your supervisor right away.
Your employer may be able to make changes to the way you're doing your work to help you feel better or for your symptoms to go away.
Your employer should also be able to give you information about your work duties and workplace that you can give to your doctor or specialist.
