OWCP injuries in Bremerton WA

What do you do when you are in a work injury?

Do you panic or do you take a deep breath and follow the appropriate steps?

If you have been involved in a work injury, the first thing you need to do is report the injury to your employer and document any details of the injury.

Document the following details:

• Witnesses
• Location
• Mechanism of injury
• Symptoms on onset

Once you have completed the proper paperwork, it needs to be processed to initiate an evaluation with a medical provider.

After the onset of a work injury, it is best to not aggravate the current condition with unnecessary activities such as sports, prolong sitting, yardwork or any activity that may exert pressure on the affected area. For example, if you are dealing with a lower back injury and you’re experiencing pain with the sitting position, try to avoid prolong driving and keep the sitting position to a minimum. The goal is to allow ample time for healing and an environment with less physical stress.

Common work injuries:

• Low back pain
• Shoulder injuries
• Neck sprains
• Carpal tunnel injuries
• Muscle strains
• Hip injuries
• Knee sprain/strain

Documentation of symptoms:

Any changes in your activities of daily living need to be documented. If you do not write this down or tell your provider…… it’s like it never happened. This helps evaluate your case for future aggravations and outcomes. Ideally, if a patient can keep a daily log of changes to their symptoms or the onset of new symptoms is ideal.

Activities of daily living that can be affected:

• Work
• Sleep
• Sitting
• Walking
• Taking care of kids
• Sports
• Typing

And many more activities, even as simple as brushing your teeth

The next time you are in a work injury, ask yourself what’s the process and what do I need to do to get to pre-injury status

Call Bremerton Wellness for more information on Federal Work Injuries, OWCP injuries. You do not need to live with pain. Live life to the fullest.