Workplace hip injuries can be very painful and limit your mobility.
Our Atlanta attorneys will help you get full workers’ compensation benefits under Georgia law.
A serious hip injury affects just about everything. In addition to causing excruciating pain, a hip injury can make it difficult to stand, sit, and work. While it’s possible a workplace hip injury was the result of a sudden, traumatic impact or accident, the more common hip injury happens because of overexertion and repetitive motion from years of work-related tasks that take a gradual toll. Hip injuries not only limit a person’s mobility and are uncomfortable, they can lead to months of physical therapy and even require surgery.
If you’re one of the millions of Americans each year who suffer a work-related injury, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits under Georgia law. Contact the experienced attorneys at Gerber & Elkins Workers’ Compensation Attorneys today to learn more about your legal options.
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Workplace hip fracture statistics
Recovering from hip fractures can be long and difficult. Up to 95% of hip fractures are due to falls, usually sideways.
While hip pain or hip injuries aren’t the most common work-related injury (that dubious title belongs to back and neck pain, as well as hand, wrist and knee problems), they often take longer to heal.
Also, as the American workforce continues to get older, the number of hip injuries and fractures is likely to rise.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Each year, over 300,000 older people—those 65 and older—are hospitalized for hip fractures.
- More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling (usually sideways).
- Women experience three-quarters of all hip fractures. Not only do women fall more than men, they also have higher rates of osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break.
- The chances of breaking your hip go up as you age.
Brief anatomy of hip
The human hip is a ball and socket joint, formed where the thigh bone connects with the pelvis. It’s one of the body’s largest weight-bearing joints.
The hip contains two primary parts:
- Acetabulum – the socket in which the femoral head fits
- Femoral head – the ball-shaped bone at the top of the femur (thigh bone)
Ligaments (bands of tissue) help keep both pieces connected and stabilized. Cushioning between the bones is provided by fluid-filled sacs called “bursae,” which are found inside the hip joint. A variety of muscles also work to support the hip joint and assist with movement.
These muscles include the adductor muscles (inner thigh), gluteals (buttocks), hamstring (back of thigh), iliopsoas (lower back/connects to femur) and quadriceps (front of thigh, from hip to knee).
An injury to any of these important, large muscles can negatively impact the hip joint, which can lead to a debilitating work injury.
Common causes of hip injuries in the workplace
Hip injuries and fractures often arise in the workplace due to a number of factors, such as:
- Falling from height, such as over a railing or off a ladder
- Being crushed by heavy equipment or machinery
- Being hit by a truck or forklift
- Improper facility maintenance
- Defective equipment, work tools, machinery or footwear
- Lifting items that are too heavy, or repetitive lifting
- Car accident while on the job
- Slip and falls due to wet or slippery floors
Common types of hip injuries
There are many different types of hip-related injuries workers face on the job every day in Georgia. Some of the most common types of injuries are:
- Hip dislocations
- Hip fractures
- Hip labral tears
- Hip strains
- Pelvic fractures
- Acetabular fractures
- Femur shaft fracture (broken thighbone)
- Hip bursitis
- Osteoarthritis of the hip
- Burning thigh pain (meralgia paresthetica)
- Thigh strains
- Hamstring muscle injuries
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common hip injuries as arthritis is quite common among middle aged and older employees.
Arguably, the most dangerous hip injury is called “acute compartment syndrome,” which is a painful condition when pressure builds within your muscles. This can develop after a person suffers serious trauma to their hip, such as breaking a bone, being crushed or severely bruised. The condition is considered a medical emergency and if you think this is happening to you, you should seek medical help immediately.
Georgia workers’ compensation for an on-the-job hip injury
Some of the hip injuries listed above (as well as many others) may require extensive and costly surgery to correct such as an arthroscopy, hip resurfacing, osteotomy or total hip replacement. Never agree to a workers’ compensation settlement until you’ve spoken with an attorney who can tell you if the offer is a fair one.
Our Atlanta-based hip injury lawyers know the ins and outs of workers’ compensation law when it comes to dealing with a hip injury. Hip-related workplace injuries are covered in Georgia, and we’ll negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf that fully covers the cost of expensive surgeries like hip replacements, pain medication and further rehabilitation.
Your first consultation is 100% free, which means it costs you nothing to contact us and discuss your work-related hip injury. Our award-winning attorneys can help you secure coverage for medical expenses, disability benefits and lost income.
For more information on workplace injuries and other frequently asked questions about Georgia workers’ compensation and disability benefits, visit our FAQs page.
Types of injuries covered by Georgia workers’ compensation claims
If you’re injured on the job, you should know that you have certain rights, benefits and responsibilities.
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Why hire an Atlanta workplace injury lawyer
How much is your workers’ comp hip injury settlement worth? It depends on many factors. No two workers’ comp claims are alike, which is why you should contact an experienced attorney who can investigate your unique case and determine if a hip injury workers’ compensation amount is really fair.
A work-related hip injury can be serious, costly and require months to heal. Contact the Atlanta injury attorneys at Gerber & Elkins Workers’ Compensation Attorneys to learn more about your potential case and the intricacies of workers’ compensation in the state of Georgia. In many cases, timing is of the essence, so act now.
