Workers’ Compensation Injuries: Complete Guide to What Qualifies as a Compensable, Covered Injury

 

When you’re hurt on the job in Virginia, knowing whether your injury qualifies for workers’ compensation can mean the difference between getting the medical care and financial support you need or facing mounting bills and lost wages on your own. The good news is that Virginia’s workers’ compensation system covers virtually every type of traumatic injury that happens at work – but proving your case requires understanding the law and having the proper evidence.

 

Although the harm you suffered in a workplace incident likely qualifies as a workers’ compensation injury, the process may seem confusing because your employer and its insurance company refuse to pay for medical treatment or immediately pay cash benefits when you miss time from work.  

 

As a Virginia workers’ compensation attorney representing injured employees and their family members, I’ve seen how difficult insurance defense attorneys can make things for you. That’s why I’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you understand exactly what types of injuries qualify for workers’ compensation.

 

The best way to use this guide is to:

 

1. 1. Review the Workers’ Compensation Commission’s test for proving a compensable “injury by accident.”
   2. Find the specific injuries and medical conditions your doctor diagnosed following the industrial incident.
   3. Click on the link to learn more about your particular injury and the typical treatment and settlement values for it.

 

I hope you gain valuable insights that help you secure every penny and medical treatment you deserve. You can call my law firm, Corey Pollard Law, at (804) 251-1620 or complete this form if you have questions.

 

   

How Virginia Determines Which Injuries Qualify For Workers’ Comp

 

Virginia workers’ compensation operates under a deceptively simple legal standard: Your injury must be accidental and arise out of and in the course of your employment.

 

This standard means all types of workers’ compensation injuries have five things in common:

 

You have an injury – Workers’ compensation defines an injury as a noticeable, sudden mechanical or structural change to your body. Examples of structural changes include bruising, bleeding, strains, sprains, fractures, ligament tears, and more.

 

You suffer the injury in an accident – The Supreme Court of Virginia has defined an accident in the context of workers’ compensation law: “The definition of accident generally assented to is an event happening without any human agency, or, if happening through human agency, an event which, under the circumstances, is unusual and not expected by the person to whom it happens.”

 

Your accident occurs at a reasonably definite time. Although some states provide benefits for repetitive motion injuries or cumulative trauma (think: wear and tear), Virginia does not. You must identify the specific period when your injury and accident occurred.

 

Your employment must have contributed to the injury. A traumatic injury at work does not necessarily qualify as a workers’ compensation injury in Virginia. You must also prove that your injury arises from an employment-related risk (i.e., some part of your work environment caused the incident).  

 

Your injury occurs at an expected time and place. In addition to injuries during regular work hours, you may receive benefits for workers’ compensation injuries when clocking in or out and during activities like company training, work-related travel, or recreational events. We have helped many police officers, firefighters, teachers, and school employees qualify for benefits for injuries during activities meant to boost morale or the employer’s relationship with the community.

 

Major Body Systems and Common Workplace Injuries

 

Let me walk you through the most common types of workplace injuries I see, organized by the part of the body they affect. This organization makes it easier to understand not just what injuries qualify, but how they typically happen and what you can expect if you’ve suffered a similar injury.

 

Musculoskeletal Injuries: The Foundation of Most Claims

 

Your muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments form your body’s structural system – and workplace injuries to these tissues make up about a significant percentage % of all workers’ compensation claims in Virginia and nationwide.

 

Back and Spine Injuries

 

Back injuries are common at work. They affect workers in every industry, from office employees with herniated discs from overexertion to construction workers and roofers with fractured vertebrae from falls.

 

Middle (thoracic spine) and lower back (lumbar spine) injuries include:

 

• • Recurrent mid or low back pain that starts or worsens (known as an aggravation or exacerbation) after a workplace incident
  • Muscle strain or ligament sprain
  • Newly symptomatic degenerative disc disease (DDD)
  • Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction with radicular symptoms (pain or numbness running down your leg) that affects your hips and pelvis
  • Intervertebral disc herniation (known as a bulging, herniated, or pinched disc) that may press on the spinal cord nerve roots
  • Pseudoarthrosis (a fractured bone that fails to heal properly) after spinal surgery
  • Facet joint injuries
  • Anterior cord syndrome
  • Spinal stenosis, which refers to the narrowing of the space between the thoracic or lumbar discs and compression of the spinal nerves
  • Compression, posterior element (pedicle, transverse process, etc.), or burst fractures from falls from heights, car crashes, forklift accidents, or crane turnovers.
  • Spondylolisthesis is a condition that often requires surgery or lifelong conservative treatment when it affects the lumbar spine. While mid-spine injuries may require operative care, thoracic spine surgery is less common than lumbar spine surgery.
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Sciatica
  • Failed back syndrome (usually following a combination of a laminectomy, discectomy, and lumbar fusion)
  • Sacral fracture
  • Post-laminectomy syndrome
  • Aggravation of pre-existing conditions like osteoarthritis or DDD

 

Neck and Cervical Spine Injuries

 

Neck injuries often result from the same types of accidents that cause back problems.

 

Common neck injuries include:

 

• • Whiplash from vehicle accidents or sudden impact
  • Cervical disc herniations, which can cause arm pain, weakness, and loss of control of the upper extremities
  • Neck muscle strains from awkward positioning or sudden movements
  • Chronic or recurrent neck pain following a sprain or strain.
  • Cervicogenic headaches
  • Cervical fractures or disc dislocations are catastrophic injuries that can be life-threatening or cause paralysis.

 

Shoulder Injuries

 

My law firm has won and negotiated settlements for hundreds of employees with work-related shoulder injuries, which are widespread because so many jobs that involve lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing, or pulling.

 

Typical shoulder injuries in workers’ compensation include:

 

• • Nonspecific shoulder pain
  • Shoulder contusions, sprains, or strains with persistent pain
  • Biceps tendon tears
  • Rotator cuff tears (including SLAP tears, which can recur) from lifting or reaching accidents, including complete or partial-thickness tears
  • Rotator cuff tendinitis
  • Shoulder fractures
  • Shoulder impingement syndrome
  • Shoulder dislocations from falls or direct impact
  • Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) can develop after any shoulder injury.
  • Shoulder bursitis from repetitive motions
  • Clavicle (collarbone) fractures from falls
  • Acromioclavicular (AC) joint separations from direct shoulder impact
  • Persistent shoulder instability
  • Posttraumatic degenerative joint disease following the injury
  • Shoulder fusion (arthrodesis) or arthroplasty (joint replacement)

 

Upper Extremity Injuries (Arm, Elbow, and Forearm)

 

Work-related arm and elbow injuries we often see include:

 

• • Elbow pain after a specific job incident
  • Elbow crush injuries with incomplete healing
  • Elbow dislocations, which may damage other soft tissue structures in your arm
  • Olecranon bursitis (inflammation of this body part at the tip of the elbow)
  • Repetitive motion injuries like tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis), and carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Elbow fractures from falls on outstretched arms
  • Ulnar nerve compression (cubital tunnel syndrome) causes numbness in your pinky and ring finger.
  • Radius and ulna fractures from direct impact, machine malfunctions, or falls.
  • Tricep tears
  • Persistent elbow subluxations
  • Loose bodies in the elbow
  • Total elbow arthroplasty (joint replacement)

 

Hand, Wrist, and Finger Injuries

 

I’ve yet to meet someone whose job did not involve their hands. This reliance makes you susceptible to acute hand, wrist, and finger injuries like:

 

• • Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that often comes from repetitive hand use, but can develop traumatically. For example, we have helped employees diagnosed with CTS when their hands bent back suddenly in a work-related car crash.  
  • Fractured hand bones (metacarpals) and finger dislocations are common crush injuries for employees who handle machinery parts or job supplies.
  • Tendon injuries requiring surgical repair often arise when employees suffer deep lacerations to the hand.
  • De Quervain’s tenosynovitis affects thumb movement.
  • Trigger finger from repetitive gripping.
  • Wrist sprains and strains from falls or awkward positioning
  • Scaphoid fractures (often misdiagnosed as sprains)
  • Severe lacerations requiring reconstructive surgery
  • Crush injuries that may require amputation of the hand.

 

Hip, Pelvis, and Thigh Injuries

 

Many work-related hip and pelvis injuries get misdiagnosed or ignored as lumbar spine conditions. Only after weeks or months of treatment does your doctor discover that your problems walking, sitting, or standing come from damage to your pelvis or hip.

 

Work-related hip and pelvic injuries may include:

 

• • Hip fractures from falls are prevalent in older workers
  • Hip labral tears can cause catching and pain with each step
  • Hip impingement limits your range of motion
  • Greater trochanteric bursitis (hip bursitis) is a common consequence of an occupational hip injury
  • Groin strains/pulls from sudden movements or lifting
  • Pelvic fractures from crushing accidents and other high-impact workplace incidents
  • Femur (thighbone) fractures from high-energy accidents
  • Hip dislocations
  • Avascular necrosis (dying bone) of the hip

Depending on the severity of the injury, you may require a total hip replacement.

 

Knee Injuries

 

We all spend some amount of time on our feet at work. Some of you spend the whole day on your feet, walking around the construction site or in the distribution warehouse for Amazon, Walmart, Target, or other employers. Others spend most of the day seated, but still have to walk into, out of, and around the office periodically.  

 

Common knee injuries in workers’ compensation include:

 

• • ACL or MCL tears from pivoting injuries or direct impact to the side, front, or back of the knee
  • Meniscus tears from twisting or activities that worsen a pre-existing degenerative meniscus tear
  • Kneecap (patella) fractures from falls or direct impact
  • Patellar tendinitis from repetitive jumping or climbing
  • Patellofemoral syndrome/chondromalacia patellae occurs when an injury leads to the maltracking of your knee cap
  • Knee sprains affect multiple ligaments
  • Aggravation of pre-existing knee arthritis

 

We have helped many injured employees force their employer and its insurer to pay for a total knee replacement.

 

Ankle, Foot, and Toe Injuries

 

Like knee injuries, ankle, foot, and toe injuries can happen to any worker because we all spend some amount of time on our feet.

 

Foot and ankle injuries include:

 

• • Ankle fractures from falls or trips
  • Ankle sprains range from mild to severe.
  • Achilles tendon ruptures from sudden acceleration or falls.
  • Plantar fasciitis from prolonged standing on hard surfaces
  • Metatarsal fractures from falling objects
  • Toe fractures and dislocations
  • Heel fractures (calcaneus) from falls from height
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome (like carpal tunnel, but in your foot)
  • Stress fractures from repetitive impact (although Virginia does not cover this type of cumulative trauma injury, you may be able to receive benefits for a stress fracture if the initial injury contributes to or causes this)

 

Neurological Injuries: When Your Nervous System Takes a Hit

 

When workplace accidents damage your brain, spinal cord, or nerves, the impact goes far beyond a typical injury. These accidents can fundamentally change how you think, move, and live your daily life.

 

Head and Brain Injuries

 

Workplace head trauma runs the gamut from minor bumps that heal quickly to traumatic brain injury that put you or a loved one in a coma.

 

Common head injuries that can lead to changes in cognitive abilities, executive functioning, memory, personality, and behavior include:

 

• • Concussions from vehicle crashes, workplace violence, and slips/trips and falls
  • Skull fractures
  • Subdural and epidural hematomas
  • Cerebral contusions (brain bruising)
  • Coup-contrecoup injuries
  • Diffuse axonal injuries
  • Post-concussion syndrome with symptoms like migraines and sensitivity to light that lasts for months or years

 

Additionally, we have handled multiple cases where head trauma included eye socket fractures, broken jaws affecting teeth and dental hygiene, or trigeminal neuralgia.

 

Spinal Cord Injuries

 

Some of the most devastating workplace accidents, the following types of spinal cord damage and their resulting consequences, may require lifelong home healthcare:

 

• • Complete paralysis affecting the legs (paraplegia) or all four limbs (quadriplegia)
  • Partial paralysis, where some movement or feeling remains
  • Cauda equina syndrome that impacts bowel and bladder control
  • Neurogenic bladder
  • Central cord syndrome or anterior cord syndrome, both of which disrupt your motor skills.

 

Peripheral Nerve Injuries

 

Nerve injuries from the workplace incident itself or surgery after cause significant problems for employees.

 

Typical nerve injuries we see in workers’ comp include:

 

• • Brachial plexus damage affects how your arms and hands work
  • Radial nerve problems causing “wrist drop”
  • Peroneal nerve injuries leading to “foot drop”
  • Sciatic nerve damage affecting leg movement and sensation

 

Sensory System Workers’ Compensation Injuries: When Your Sight or Hearing is Affected

 

Workplace injuries to your eyes, ears, and other sensory organs can profoundly impact your quality of life and ability to work safely.

 

Eye Injuries and Vision Loss

 

Eye injuries happen in virtually every industry, but we see them more often in construction and nursing.

 

Types of eye injuries include:

 

• • Foreign object penetration (metal shavings, wood chips, glass)
  • Chemical burns from acids, bases, or solvents
  • Thermal burns from heat, steam, or flame
  • Radiation burns from welding or UV exposure
  • Blunt trauma causing orbital fractures or retinal damage
  • Lacerations requiring surgical repair
  • Corneal abrasions that can become infected
  • Retinal detachment from impact injuries
  • Partial or complete vision loss

 

One thing to remember with workers’ compensation injuries involving the eye is that you may qualify for a significant amount of permanent partial disability benefits even if you have a total recovery. The reason for this is that the law considers you to have more vision loss than you end up with if you require a lens implant.

 

Hearing Injuries

 

Hearing damage can result from single loud events (acoustic trauma) or gradual damage from prolonged noise exposure in confined settings.

 

Hearing injuries include:

 

• • Noise-induced hearing loss from chronic exposure
  • Sudden hearing loss from acoustic trauma
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can distract and limit your ability to pay attention or concentrate at work
  • Hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to sound)
  • Balance problems from inner ear damage
  • Ear drum perforation from pressure changes or loud noise

 

We have represented many employees who suffer ear and hearing injuries, including those with pre-existing conditions like autism spectrum disorder who suffer new or increased symptoms after occupational exposure to loud noises.

 

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Injuries

 

Heart and lung injuries can be immediately life-threatening and may require emergency treatment and ongoing care.

 

Heart and Circulatory System Injuries

 

While heart attacks and strokes are difficult to prove as work-related (except for police, firefighters, and EMTs, who have legal presumptions), certain workplace events can cause cardiovascular injuries.

 

Cardiovascular injuries include:

 

• • Heart attacks (myocardial infarction) can occur from electric shock or extreme physical stress. For example, we have represented police officers who suffered heart attacks while participating in community events, such as bike rides and festivals.
  • Cardiac arrhythmias (changes in your heart’s electrical rhythms) can begin after an electrical shock.

 

Lung and Respiratory System Injuries

 

Trauma, exposure to chemicals, or the inhalation of toxic particles can harm your lungs.

 

Respiratory injuries include:

 

• • Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) from chest trauma. We see collapsed lungs in high-impact incidents such as tractor-trailer crashes or falls from scaffolding and ladders.
  • Chemical pneumonitis from inhaling toxic substances
  • Smoke inhalation from workplace fires
  • Aspiration injuries from inhaling foreign materials

Internal Injuries

 

Blunt force trauma, penetrating wounds, or crush accidents can seriously damage your internal organs. Some common internal injuries that often require emergency surgery—and may result in temporary or permanent disability—include:

 

• • A ruptured spleen
  • Kidney damage from impact to the back or side
  • Injuries to the intestines (both large and small), primarily when a vehicle or heavy machinery crushes your torso
  • Bladder damage caused by pelvic fractures
  • Pancreatic injuries from hitting a steering wheel or heavy equipment
  • Broken ribs
  • Hernias from overexertion

 

Skin and Tissue Injuries

 

Burns, cuts, and crush injuries that damage your skin’s layers and soft tissues are common in the workplace. Their frequency doesn’t limit their impact. These types of skin injuries can cause intense pain, scars, long-term functional limitations, and disfigurement that harms your mental health.

 

Burn Injuries

 

Workplace burns are some of the most gruesome types of workers’ compensation injuries we see. They often have serious consequences. .

 

Here are some of the most common types:

 

• • Thermal burns from fire, hot surfaces, or steam
  • Chemical burns caused by exposure to acids, bases, or solvents
  • Electrical burns from faulty wiring or contact with power lines
  • Flash burns from explosions or arc welding
  • Friction burns from tools like belt sanders or ropes
  • Cold burns (frostbite) from contact with extremely cold materials

 

Traumatic Skin Wounds

 

In many industries, cuts and punctures that permanently damage the skin are all too common.

 

Examples of these types of injuries, which can affect any part of your body, include:

 

• • Deep lacerations that need stitches
  • Puncture wounds that penetrate multiple skin layers
  • Avulsion injuries, where chunks of soft tissue are torn away
  • Degloving injuries, where skin is peeled back from the tissue underneath
  • Crush injuries that damage multiple layers of tissue
  • Traumatic amputations that require emergency reattachment or lead to permanent limb loss
  • Damage to a pre-existing amputation stump

 

Amputation Injuries: Losing a Limb

 

Losing a body part may deprive you of mobility and the ability to live or work independently.

 

Common types of workplace amputations include:

 

• • Partial or full finger loss when using machinery like a saw or press
  • Arm amputations (above-the-elbow) and hand amputations from getting caught in machines or moving parts
  • Toe or foot amputations from being crushed or struck by falling objects, or from a traumatic workers’ compensation injury causing complications for diabetics.
  • Leg amputations from vehicle accidents or heavy machinery
  • Multiple limb amputations caused by industrial explosions or catastrophic incidents
  • Above-the-elbow and above-the-knee amputations, which often require prosthetics and long-term rehabilitation

Psychological and Emotional Injuries

 

Workers’ compensation recognizes mental health conditions related to workplace trauma—but the requirements for qualifying psychological injuries are stricter than for physical ones. You need to show that a physical injury led to the diagnosis or that you developed it from a “sudden shock or fright.”

 

Recognized conditions may include:

 

• • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after witnessing violence or discovering a deceased person
  • Depression and anxiety following serious physical injuries
  • Adjustment disorders due to sudden life changes caused by injury
  • Panic disorders triggered by traumatic workplace events
  • Sleep disorders resulting from psychological trauma

 

We Handle – And Win – All Types of Workers’ Compensation Injuries

 

You may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits after a traumatic incident on the job, no matter what your employer and its insurer say.

 

But actually receiving the cash payments, lifetime medical treatment, or lump sum settlement to which you’re entitled may require extensive litigation, including pretrial discovery and a workers’ compensation hearing. The question isn’t usually whether your injury is covered, but rather how to prove your case and a compensable injury effectively and ensure you receive all the benefits you’re entitled to.

 

Don’t let insurance companies convince you that your injury doesn’t qualify or that you’re not entitled to benefits. Instead, call us today at (804) 251-1620 or fill out this contact form to see if you have a workers’ compensation injury under the law.