GERD and California Workers’ Compensation: Can Work Stress Cause Digestive Injuries?
You might not realize it, but your frequent heartburn, acid reflux, or chest discomfort could be directly connected to your job. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease—commonly known as GERD—is more than a nuisance. And in California, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation if your work conditions caused or worsened it.
At Lee Partners Law, we fight for injured workers across Los Angeles and California, including those suffering from overlooked internal injuries like GERD.
What Is GERD—and How Could It Be Work-Related?
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), GERD affects nearly 28% of North Americans, and the rate is increasing—especially among workers under chronic stress.
Common workplace triggers for GERD include:
High-stress environments
Long hours without breaks
Irregular meals or skipped meals
Extended use of NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) for pain from job-related injuries
Hostile or abusive work conditions
California law recognizes these issues under cumulative trauma claims—injuries that build up over time due to repeated job stressors or occupational exposures.
Whether you’re a nurse, driver, warehouse worker, or office employee, constant stress and strain on your body can lead to real, physical damage—like GERD.
Can I File a Workers’ Comp Claim for GERD in California?
Yes. GERD can be considered an industrial injury under California law if it's tied to your job duties or workplace conditions. But here’s the problem: most attorneys overlook it. We don’t.
At Lee Partners Law, our intake process includes a whole-body review, identifying symptoms often missed by others—especially internal disorders like GERD.
What Happens Next?
You’ll be entitled to see an Internal Medicine Qualified Medical Examiner (QME). This is a neutral doctor appointed by the state—not your employer—and paid for entirely by the insurance company.
Even if the QME finds that your GERD is not work-related, you pay nothing.
But if they do find a connection to your job, they can:
Diagnose your condition
Determine your need for future medical care
Assess your level of permanent disability
You may be entitled to compensation even if you don’t miss time from work.
What Is GERD Worth in a Workers’ Comp Claim?
Using the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, your disability is rated by how it affects your daily life.
For example:
If you have ongoing GERD symptoms, and need to monitor your diet or weight, you may receive up to 9% whole person impairment (WPI)—without needing invasive tests like endoscopy.
If you also require daily medications like omeprazole (Prilosec), your rating could increase to 10–24% WPI.
That can significantly boost the total value of your workers’ comp settlement—especially if combined with other injuries like back pain or psychiatric stress.
Don’t Leave Money on the Table
Many injured workers—and even attorneys—miss these claims entirely. At Lee Partners Law, we are former defense lawyers who now fight for injured employees. We know how to spot, document, and maximize every part of your claim using the AMA Guides.
If you’re suffering from GERD and think it may be connected to your job, contact us today for a free consultation. You may be entitled to lifetime medical care and compensation—even if your job never physically injured you.
Lee Partners Law – Los Angeles Workers' Compensation Attorneys
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