Nurses provide essential, hands-on care every day—often at great physical cost. Among the most common and debilitating injuries nurses face are lower-back injuries caused by repeated patient transfers and lifting. These injuries can lead to chronic pain, disability, and even force healthcare workers to leave their jobs.
If you’re a nurse suffering from a work-related lower-back injury, you have legal rights. Here’s what you need to know about seeking compensation and protecting your future.
Why Nurses Are at High Risk for Back Injuries
Nursing is one of the most physically demanding professions. Even with assistive devices, many nurses are still required to:
- Lift or reposition patients who cannot move on their own
- Bend and twist frequently throughout their shifts
- Work long hours, often without sufficient rest or help
These repetitive motions, especially when combined with heavy lifting, can cause:
- Lumbar sprains and strains
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Sciatica and nerve compression
- Degenerative disc disease over time
Even a single incident during a transfer can lead to lasting injury—but more often, damage builds gradually with each shift.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Injured Nurses
If your back injury occurred while performing your job duties, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits are available regardless of fault and typically include:
- Medical treatment: Including diagnostics, physical therapy, medication, and surgery if needed
- Temporary disability benefits: Partial wage replacement while you’re off work recovering
- Permanent disability: If your injury results in lasting limitations
- Supplemental job displacement benefits: If you can’t return to nursing and need retraining
California law recognizes cumulative trauma injuries—like those caused by years of patient handling—as work-related. However, these claims can be more complex and are sometimes challenged by insurance companies.
Proving Your Injury Is Work-Related
One of the biggest hurdles in cumulative injury claims is proving that your back problems are directly related to your job. This is especially true if you have a pre-existing condition or delayed reporting.
To strengthen your case, be sure to:
- Report your injury promptly to your employer
- Seek medical attention and explain that the injury is work-related
- Document job duties that contribute to your condition
- Consult an attorney if your claim is denied or disputed
At PLBH, we work with injured nurses to gather medical records, witness statements, and job descriptions to support their claims and secure the benefits they’re entitled to.
When Workers’ Compensation Isn’t Enough
In some cases, workers’ compensation doesn’t fully cover the financial impact of a back injury. You may also be entitled to additional protections under employment or disability laws, such as:
- Reasonable accommodations under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)
- Leave of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or California Family Rights Act (CFRA)
- Disability discrimination claims, if you’re treated unfairly due to your injury
If your employer retaliates against you for filing a claim or requesting accommodations, that could also be grounds for legal action.
Talk to an Attorney Who Understands Nursing Injuries
Nursing professionals shouldn’t have to suffer silently or bear the financial burden of injuries sustained while caring for others. Whether your back injury developed over years of patient handling or resulted from a single incident, you have legal options.
The team at PLBH is experienced in representing injured healthcare workers and will fight to get you the support and compensation you need to heal. Call (800) 435-7542 today for a free consultation and take the first step toward recovery and justice.