Back Injuries at Work: What You Need to Know
California Workers’ Comp Back Pain, Surgery, and Settlement Guide
Back injuries are one of the most common and serious injuries in workers’ compensation—and they can have a devastating impact on your ability to work, move, or live without pain. Whether your pain started after a fall or slowly built up over time, you may be entitled to a workers’ comp back settlement, surgery, or lifetime care.
At Lee Partners Law, we specialize in helping injured workers across Southern California get proper treatment, disability benefits, and the highest possible workers comp back injury settlement.
Two Common Types of Work-Related Back Injuries
1. Specific Back Injuries
These happen from a single, identifiable event like:
Lifting something heavy and feeling a sharp pop
Slipping or falling at work
A car accident while on the job
These are easier to report and document because there’s a clear moment the workers comp back pain began.
2. Cumulative Trauma Back Injuries
These develop gradually from repetitive work, such as:
Lifting and bending
Prolonged standing or sitting
Carrying heavy loads
There’s no single accident, but over time your spine and muscles break down. Back injuries in workers comp claims are often denied at first when they’re cumulative—but with the right lawyer, you can still win.
Occupations with High Rates of Work-Related Back Injuries:
Warehouse workers – frequent lifting, pushing, and carrying
Delivery drivers – repetitive loading and vehicle strain
Construction workers – bending, lifting, and tool use
Landscapers – constant physical motion and equipment use
Janitors and custodians – mopping, lifting, bending, carrying
Even desk jobs can cause cumulative workers comp back pain from poor posture and ergonomics over time.
Common Medical Diagnoses in Workers’ Comp Back Injury Cases
Understanding your diagnosis is critical to getting approved care, a fair disability rating, and the right workers comp back surgery settlement.
These are common back diagnoses in California workers’ compensation cases:
Back strains and sprains – stretching of ligaments or muscles
Herniated discs – bulging or ruptured spinal discs pressing on nerves
Fractures – often from falls or trauma
Degenerative disc disease – worsened by repetitive motion
Spinal stenosis – narrowing of the spinal canal
Nerve root impingement – leads to radiculopathy (pain radiating down the legs or arms)
Sciatica – nerve pain often associated with herniated discs
These conditions may require MRIs, EMGs, or other diagnostic testing. Even if your scans are “normal,” symptoms like pain, numbness, or weakness can still qualify you for a significant back injury workers’ comp settlement.
Workers Comp Back Surgery Settlement: What You Need to Know
If your treating doctor or QME recommends back surgery, such as a discectomy, laminectomy, or spinal fusion, your potential workers comp back settlement may increase significantly. Surgery indicates a serious condition with lasting impairment. The rating jumps up under the AMA Guides for these conditions.
However, insurance carriers often:
Delay or deny surgery approvals
Claim your condition is “pre-existing”
Undervalue your disability rating
We fight back with strong medical evidence and expert reports to maximize your surgery-based workers comp back settlement.
How Back Injuries Are Evaluated in California Workers’ Comp
Back injuries are rated under Chapter 15 of the AMA Guides. There are typically two methods:
DRE Method (Diagnosis-Related Estimates)
ROM Method (Range of Motion)
If you have nerve damage (confirmed by MRI or EMG), you may qualify for a higher rating using ROM or findings at multi levels of spine. For example:
Radiculopathy with MRI-confirmed disc herniation
Positive EMG findings
Reduced range of motion or functional loss
David A. Lee and Michael Lee are experts at the AMA Guides 5th edition, which is what the doctor will utilize to determine the value of your case. They know how to get you maximum value for your back injury and ensure that the doctor is applying the correct chapter to get the most out of your whole person impairment rating.
Why You Need a Workers' Comp Back Injury Attorney
Insurance companies minimize back pain and try to rush you back to work—even if you’re still injured. You need someone in your corner to:
Prepare you for QME or AME exams
Demand proper diagnostic testing and treatment
Push for surgery when needed
Challenge low disability ratings
Maximize your final workers comp back settlement
At Lee Partners Law, attorneys David and Michael Lee are former defense lawyers who know how to beat the insurance companies at their own game. We specialize in complex back injury cases, including cumulative trauma, surgical claims, and nerve involvement.
Serving Injured Workers Across Southern California
We proudly represent clients in:
Los Angeles
Van Nuys
San Fernando Valley
Valley Village
Burbank
And surrounding regions
Don’t Wait – Back Pain Can Be Covered
Whether your back injury happened in a moment or built up over months, you may be entitled to:
Medical treatment
Back surgery
Lost wages
Permanent disability
A substantial back injury workers’ comp settlement
📞 Call Lee Partners Law now at (310) 295-0822 for a free consultation
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To learn more about the Workers’ Compensation Process please see: Workers’ Compensation in California: 90-Day Deadline to Deny or Accept Your Claim — Lee Partners Law