Senior Workers: Tips for Handling On-the-Job Injuries and Workers’ Compensation Claims

Later retirement age and an increased desire to stay active have led to more seniors remaining in the workforce. According to SeniorLiving.org, the number of senior workers in Ohio’s workforce increased by 8% just between Aug. 2020 and Aug. 2021. 

There are many benefits to seniors continuing to work, from improving their financial stability and maintaining strong social connections to mentoring young employees and creating a more diverse workforce. However, due to their age and reduced mobility, seniors can be highly susceptible to on-the-job injuries, and they may also find it difficult to apply for and receive benefits.

In this blog, we explore seniors' common challenges after getting hurt at work and when applying for workers’ compensation benefits.

What Are Common Injuries Affecting Senior Workers?

Senior citizen workers are prone to specific injuries based on their work industries. Here are common injuries associated with different occupations:

• Retail and Food Service: Senior workers may experience slips, trips, and falls due to reduced balance and slower reflexes, which can lead to serious fractures, sprains, and contusions.
• Manufacturing and Construction: These physically demanding jobs commonly cause overexertion injuries in senior workers, such as muscle strains and back injuries from lifting heavy objects or repetitive motion​.
• Healthcare and Education: The prolonged standing and walking common in these sectors frequently results in knee and hip problems in older workers​.
• Office and Administrative Roles: Poor workstation setups in these roles can lead to ergonomic issues in senior workers, including repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome​.

What Should Senior Workers Do After Suffering On-the-Job Injuries?

Senior workers who suffer on-the-job injuries should take several important steps to ensure their health, safety, and legal rights are protected:

• Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Get medical care right away, regardless of whether you think you’re seriously injured. Prompt treatment can prevent further complications and helps document your injury for use in an injury claim.
• Report the Injury: Notify your employer about your injury immediately. This creates an official record and unofficially starts the workers' compensation process.
• Document Everything: Keep detailed records of your injury, medical treatments, and related expenses. This includes medical bills, doctor's notes, and any and all communication with your employer about the injury.
• Follow Medical Advice: Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions when they treat your injury. This increases your chances of a complete and proper recovery and provides valuable evidence and documentation if you later seek benefits.
• File a Workers' Compensation Claim: Complete the necessary paperwork to file a workers' compensation claim. This will help cover medical expenses and lost wages due to the injury.

Getting workers’ compensation benefits isn’t always straightforward. Some senior workers face bigger struggles than younger workers, especially as their employers may claim their injuries are pre-existing conditions related to age. However, knowing those struggles—and how to address them—can increase your chances of getting maximum benefits.

Be Aware of These Potential Difficulties During the Workers’ Comp Process

When senior workers apply for and wait to receive workers' compensation benefits, they may face several unexpected challenges:

• Delays in Processing Claims: The workers' compensation process can be slow, and delays can cause significant wait times before benefits are approved and paid out. This can create financial strain, especially for seniors relying on timely support.
• Denials or Disputes: Employers or insurance companies sometimes deny or dispute workers' compensation claims. This can happen due to insufficient documentation and questions about whether the injury is work-related.
• Complex Paperwork and Procedures: The process involves a lot of paperwork and strict adherence to procedures, which can be overwhelming. Seniors may need help with the detailed documentation required and meeting various deadlines.
• Medical Examination Requirements: Insurers often require independent medical examinations to verify injuries. Because senior workers are more likely to have pre-existing injuries and conditions that come up during these exams, their applications may be unfairly denied. However, even a pre-existing condition can potentially be eligible for workers’ compensation if a work injury makes it worse.

Our Ohio Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Want to Help

Experienced legal help can make getting workers’ compensation benefits easier for injured senior workers. If you or someone you love was injured at work, we want to help.

An Ohio workers’ compensation lawyer can ensure all your workers’ comp-related forms are completed and submitted on time, gather all essential medical evidence and documentation to support your claim, and handle the appeals process if your application is denied.

At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, we have decades of experience building Ohio workers’ comp claims, and we know how the system and application review process work. Let us use our deep and extensive knowledge for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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