Plantar fasciitis is a painful, but not uncommon, condition that affects approximately 10% of the population, according to research from UC Davis. It’s known for causing a sharp, even stabbing pain in the heel, making both walking and working extremely difficult.
Common causes of plantar fasciitis include muscle overuse from a range of circumstances, from prolonged standing and straining to running. Worn-out or improper footwear that lacks adequate support may trigger this condition, as well. Working conditions can also lead to plantar fasciitis, prompting necessary conversations about plantar fasciitis workers’ comp.
Learn more about the complexities of securing benefits for plantar fasciitis, including eligibility, at-risk jobs, medical documentation, and the claims process from our workers’ comp attorneys.
Yes, you can file a workers’ compensation claim for plantar fasciitis. The likelihood of such claims being seen as work-related by your employer depends on certain high-risk factors. For example, if your job requires standing or walking for prolonged periods on hard or uneven surfaces, chances of developing foot problems is likely higher.
Remember, improper or unsupportive footwear and pre-existing conditions can also trigger plantar fasciitis. Pre-existing health issues may be aggravated by general work duties. In Pennsylvania, you still have a valid claim for workers’ comp if your pre-existing condition was aggravated, or made worse, by work duties.
To be eligible for workers’ compensation claims and foot injury compensation for plantar fasciitis, you must meet specific criteria. You must prove that you’re suffering from a work-related injury, resulting in a documented disability or lost wages. All contributing factors must be work-related.
Some jobs are more likely to cause plantar fasciitis, which is crucial for building strong workplace injury claims. The common denominator is known prolonged stress on the feet.
For example, nurses are required to spend countless hours standing, walking, and even running (in emergencies) on hard hospital floors. Teachers are required to be on their feet for the majority of the school day. Retail staff and restaurant employees are also at risk of developing plantar fasciitis from sustained standing and walking.
Factory workers have a higher likelihood of developing foot injuries compared to employees with desk-bound jobs.
Construction workers are at significant risk. They’re expected to stand for long periods on uneven, hard, or even dangerous surfaces. These jobs put constant pressure on the plantar fascia ligament.
Receiving workers’ compensation for plantar fasciitis is challenging since it’s a repetitive strain injury with several non-work-related causes.
Unlike slip and fall work injuries, repetitive strain injuries develop over time; therefore, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment the injury became work-related. The burden of proof falls on you, the employee, to prove that your job was a significant contributing component to a plantar fasciitis diagnosis.
You need detailed medical documentation from a diagnosing physician, directly linking your condition to work-related duties. It’s important to discuss, in detail, the nature of your job, including:
It helps to consult with a workers’ compensation attorney at the start of this process. Lawyers offer claim process guidance, provide legal advice for injuries, and collect necessary evidence to build a compelling case for your claim.
You’ll need a physical exam since plantar fasciitis is a clinical diagnosis. After discussing your symptoms and job, a doctor will palpate your heel for tenderness and ask about any sharp, morning pain in that area. If you do not have access to a medical provider, we can help.
Imaging isn’t always necessary for a plantar fasciitis diagnosis. However, it can be a powerful tool for supporting your claim. An MRI can reveal the physical signs of this condition, including:
MRI scans are necessary when a diagnosis is unclear or when conditions don’t respond well to treatments. While an MRI can provide a much clearer picture, it doesn’t prove the direct link between the injury and the work environment. Proving that connection is vital to your workers’ compensation claim.
First, report your foot injury to your employer as soon as possible either through text or email so you have proof. There are strict deadlines for reporting these injuries. Next, seek medical treatment and obtain a formal diagnosis.
Once you’ve been diagnosed, file a claim with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier. Provide all the required documentation to support the claim.
If your claim is approved, you may be eligible for a range of benefits, including medical expenses, compensation for lost wages, and possible benefits for temporary or permanent disability.
Yes. Common reasons the insurance will deny claims include a lack of proof for a work-related injury or your employer’s insurer may claim your injury is due to a pre-existing condition. Do not accept these denials.
Hurt at work and looking to receiving a settlement? Consult with a workers’ compensation attorney from the very beginning can put you on the right track toward a successful outcome. The workers’ comp law firm of Pearson Koutcher Law works as a team to bring you peace of mind by fighting for your claim. Our goal is to provide you with the maximum settlement amount through expert case-building and negotiation.
Call our workers’ compensation law firm for a free consultation!