Bursitis Injuries And Workplace Compensation Claims: What You Need To Know

Law Articles

Bursitis is a relatively common disorder that can affect different parts of the body. This painful condition is an activity-related soft tissue disorder (ASTD) that affects Canadians in a range of occupations, but carpet layers, gardeners and painters are at a higher risk than other people. If you develop bursitis as a result of your job, you may be able to claim compensation from the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB). Learn more about the symptoms and causes of bursitis, and what you need to do to make a WSIB compensation claim for this condition.

About the disease

To stop tissue damage, your body has lots of fluid filled sacs called bursae, which cushion the bones, tendons and muscles around your joints. You have these bursae in your shoulders, elbow and hips, as well as your knees, heels and at the base of your big toes. Repetitive actions and trauma can aggravate these bursae, leading to painful inflammation called bursitis.

The three main problem areas are:

• Shoulder. Bursae separate the 17 tendons that join your shoulder. Prolonged, repetitive force can injure the tendons, and bursitis will often then develop.
• Elbow. A bursa allows the skin to move effectively over the pointed bone of your elbow. If you lean on this bone for long periods, the bursa may become inflamed.
• Hip. The hip has 7 major tendons, with a large bursa separating each one from the hip bone. Tendonitis in these tendons will also often lead to bursitis.

Bursitis is also a common problem in the knees, where the bursae stop different tissues from rubbing against each other.

Diagnosis and treatment

People with bursitis generally suffer from aching, stiff joints. The affected areas are often painful if you press or move them, and they may also look swollen and red. If the pain stops you doing certain tasks (and lasts for more than a couple of weeks) you should consult a doctor.

A doctor will normally diagnose the condition based on your medical history and a physical exam. You may also need an ultrasound or MRI scan. Blood tests can also pinpoint the affected bursae.

You'll normally need specialist therapy to cure the problem. A therapist will deal with any mechanical faults, as well as any issues with the surrounding soft tissue structures. Potential treatment options include neuromuscular therapy, shockwave therapy and magnetic biostimulation therapy. In total, most people need three to five sessions to get rid of the problem.

Claiming WSIB compensation

You can claim WSIB compensation for bursitis if the condition stops you earning your full wage, and you can show that your job caused the problem. If you believe you have bursitis you should report the injury to your employer immediately. You should get medical treatment, and report it to your doctor as a WSIB injury.

To prove the injury is work-related, you should keep a journal of your symptoms, along with details of any medical appointments, tests and treatment you have. You should also cooperate fully with your employer, working to restricted duties if you can. Keep a diary of any conversations you have with your employer that relate to your injury.

Why contact a WSIB attorney

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board faces escalating bills across Canada. Ontario's budget for 2015 increased 29 percent compared to the previous year. Changes in legislation mean that fire and police officers no longer need to file claims and can automatically collect payments. As such, WSIB managers are under pressure to manage these escalating costs.

An experienced WSIB lawyer can help you work through the process to claim compensation. He or she will have expert knowledge of similar cases, and will help you understand how much compensation you can claim. An attorney can also help you file the right paperwork, and meet all the necessary deadlines. If the WSIB declines your claim, an attorney can help you appeal the decision.

Bursitis is a painful condition that stops many Canadians working. If you suffer from this problem, you should talk to an experienced WSIB lawyer about claiming compensation for your injury.

17 November 2014