If you’ve been dealing with headaches recently and aren’t sure why, one of the things you might want to look into is if your work is causing them. Whether you work in an office or perform repetitive tasks in a factory, there is a potential that the headaches you’re dealing with each day are linked to the work you’re doing.
Headaches come in a few different forms, all of which might be compensable through workers’ compensation if you need medical care. Some kinds of headaches that might require physical therapy, medications or other interventions include:
- Tension headaches
- Migraines
- Ice pick headaches
- Hormonal headaches
- Thunderclap headaches
- Post-traumatic headaches
- Rebound headaches
These and other forms all stem from an underlying cause, though not all are well-understood. Fortunately, if you’re dealing with these headaches and can link them to your work environment, you may be able to seek workers’ compensation.
How can you link your headaches to your workplace?
To get workers’ compensation, your headaches don’t necessarily have to be from your workplace. They do, however, have to be made worse by your work or stem from it. For example, if you work in an office and find you have a terrible headache after working at the computer for a few hours, you may be able to seek workers’ compensation for headaches linked to poor ergonomics on the job. You might need physical therapy and changes in your work environment to alleviate that pain.
To start linking your headaches to your work, note down when the headaches begin and what you’re doing at that time. Initially, you might try making some minor changes, like asking for a better ergonomic chair or adjusting to a standing desk. If those things don’t work to reduce or stop your headaches, talk to your employer about seeking medical care. Take your notes with you to the doctor and go over what you can do to stop your headaches. Testing, along with the initial visit to the doctor, should be covered by your workers’ compensation policy. If you need time off or other treatments, those should be covered as well.