Slip and fall injuries are some of the most common reasons people apply for workers' compensation. If your injuries are severe, you may be unable to effectively perform your job duties, which may result in financial hardship. If you sustain a slip and fall accident, you may need extensive immediate treatment as well as long-term treatment, especially if your injuries resulted in permanent disability. If you slip and fall on the job, here are workers' comp medical treatments and medical tests you may receive that will become part of your medical record which will be reviewed by your state's compensation board.

Imaging Tests And Treatments

If the treating physician believes that you may have sustained a fracture, dislocation, torn ligament, sprain, or other injuries to your bones, soft tissues, or internal organs, they will recommend diagnostic imaging testing. Traditional x-rays only show bone, but they are appropriate for diagnosing broken bones and dislocations. If, however, your doctor suspects that you have a soft tissue injury or internal organ damage as a result of your slip and fall, they will order an MRI or other type of special scan to assess your non-bone structures.

After your imaging tests have revealed the type of injuries you have, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan. Broken bones can be managed with casting, however, surgical intervention with the implantation of screws and rods may also be necessary. Strains and sprains can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, ice, therapeutic massage, and certain chiropractic interventions to help restore your mobility and improve your flexibility. 

Blood Tests And Treatments

Your workers' comp medical treatments may also include interventions to treat low blood volume as a result of internal injuries from your slip and fall accident. If your complete blood count and chemistry profile reveals the presence of extremely low red blood cell count, low platelets, liver dysfunction, or abnormal electrolytes, your doctor may suspect that you are bleeding internally.

Depending on your diagnosis, your workers' comp medical treatments for your injury-related internal bleeding may include the following: 

• intravenous fluids to increase your blood volume
• blood or platelet transfusions
• surgery to repair a lacerated liver
• renal treatments to manage kidney injuries from blunt trauma

If you sustain a slip and fall injury, visit a health care clinic, hospital emergency department, or your primary care physician for prompt evaluation and necessary workers' comp medical treatments. A timely diagnosis and treatment will help ensure that your injuries heal as soon as possible and that they do not incur any lasting effects.