One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from injured workers is, “I didn’t break anything, so I probably don’t have a workers’ compensation case.” That simply is not true.
In Maryland, many legitimate workers’ compensation claims involve injuries that never show up on an X-ray. Some of the most serious work injuries I see start as what a worker believes is “just a strain” or “just some soreness.”
A warehouse employee lifts a heavy box and feels a pull in their back. A healthcare worker develops shoulder pain after repeatedly moving patients. A construction worker twists a knee stepping off equipment. None of these injuries involve broken bones, but all can affect a person’s ability to work and earn a living.
Workers’ compensation covers more than broken bones
Maryland workers’ compensation benefits are available for many job-related injuries, including those that develop gradually or involve soft tissue rather than fractures.
Common workplace injuries that may qualify include:
- Back strains and sprains
- Neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee and ankle injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Aggravation of pre-existing conditions
- Injuries that require medical treatment, work restrictions or time off
The question is not whether an injury appears dramatic. The question is whether the
injury arose out of and in the course of employment and whether it affects your ability to
perform your job.
Why workers often hurt their own claims
After more than 17 years representing injured workers, I've seen the same mistake over
and over again.
Someone gets hurt at work, but they decide to “tough it out.”
They finish their shift. They wait a few days. Maybe they assume the pain will go away on its own.
Then the pain gets worse.
By the time they report the injury, the insurance company may start asking questions:
- Why wasn’t the injury reported immediately?
- Did something happen outside of work?
- Is this really a work-related injury?
That does not mean the claim is lost, but it can make the process more difficult than it needs to be.
If you are injured at work, report the injury promptly and seek appropriate medical treatment. Early documentation often becomes important evidence later.
What if you already had a pre-existing condition?
Another common misconception is that workers’ compensation only applies to perfectly healthy workers.
That is not how Maryland workers’ compensation law works.
Many workers have prior back problems, arthritis, old injuries, or degenerative conditions. If a workplace accident aggravates, accelerates, or worsens that condition, workers’ compensation benefits may still be available.
Insurance companies frequently argue that pain is related to age, degeneration, or a prior injury rather than a workplace accident. That is why medical records, timely reporting, and a clear history of what occurred at work can be so important.
Why moderate injury claims are often disputed
Ironically, some moderate injuries face more scrutiny than obvious catastrophic injuries.
A broken bone is easy to see on an X-ray.
Soft-tissue injuries, strains, sprains, and pain-related conditions often require a closer review of medical records, treatment history, work restrictions, and physician opinions.
Insurance companies may schedule independent medical examinations (IMEs) or dispute whether treatment is necessary. In some cases, disputes must be resolved before the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Just because an injury is not visible on an imaging study does not mean it is not real.
When should you speak with a workers’ compensation attorney?
If a work injury is causing pain, limiting your movement, forcing you to miss work, or affecting your ability to perform your job, it may be worth speaking with an attorney about your rights.
Too many workers assume they do not have a case because they never went to the emergency room or because nothing was broken.
That assumption can be costly.
At Cohen, Snyder & Eisenberg, we regularly help Maryland workers navigate claims involving strains, sprains, repetitive stress injuries, and other injuries that may not appear serious at first but can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to work.
If you were injured on the job, do not assume you are ineligible for benefits simply because there were no broken bones. What matters is how the injury occurred and how it affects your ability to earn a living.
