Chester County Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

Workers’ compensation offers benefits to injured employees. Injuries covered by workers’ compensation vary widely and usually have a physical component, a common injury is plantar fasciitis. However, getting a workers’ compensation board to approve a claim for plantar fasciitis can be tricky. Many injured employees who suffer from this painful condition seek representation from attorneys to appeal denied benefits.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

The bottom of the foot consists of a bow-shaped tissue called the plantar fascia. This tissue helps protect the rest of your foot by being a supportive shock-absorber. If the plantar fascia encounters too much pressure day-in and day-out, it can start to slowly tear. Though the tears are miniscule, they lead to tremendous discomfort for the individual.

Sufferers of plantar fasciitis regularly report feeling stabbing pain when they first put their feet on the ground, especially after getting out of bed. Throughout the day, the pain may wane slightly, only to come back again. Treatment for this condition takes time and usually involves a combination of rest and physical therapy as well as orthotics. In some extreme cases, surgery may alleviate the source of the problem.

Plantar Fasciitis in Various Occupations

People who stand on their feet all day are especially prone to plantar fasciitis. Occupations that make workers vulnerable to this condition can include schoolteachers, construction workers, and assembly line personnel. Even wearing comfortable shoes and standing on an adequate surface can lead to the development of plantar fasciitis.

Difficulties in Proving Work-Related Plantar Fasciitis

Although certain jobs present a higher risk for workers developing plantar fasciitis, workers may still have trouble getting their claim approved by the board; this is because plantar fasciitis has other risk factors unrelated to working conditions.

For instance, clinical obesity has been linked to plantar fasciitis. Therefore, an obese worker who makes a workers’ compensation claim for plantar fasciitis may be denied because it is impossible to say if work or excess body weight led to the condition. Similarly, runners tend to develop plantar fasciitis. Consequently, an employee who is a known runner may have difficulty getting compensation for plantar fasciitis treatment and recovery.

How to Qualify for Workers’ Compensation for Plantar Fasciitis

Even though it can be challenging to prove that plantar fasciitis arose from work situations, it is not impossible. With the help of an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, an employee may be able to successfully show documentation that supports a claim. Even after denial, many people with plantar fasciitis have been able to reverse the decision and recover compensation to help pay medical bills while they recover and heal.