In New York City, NYPMR doctors specializing in work injuries provide essential support for union workers recovering from on-the-job injuries or illnesses. These injury physicians prioritize the patient's recovery and aim to ensure they return to work in good health and performing at their best.
THE PHYSICIAN’S ROLE IN UNION WORKERS INJURIES
NYPMR Physicians are crucial in the treatment of union workers who have suffered an injury or illness. They may collaborate with other physicians specializing in particular injuries or illnesses when necessary. Our Physicians commonly perform one or more of the following tasks:
Evaluation: entails the identification of medical conditions by conducting clinical assessments and tests to determine the extent of the impairment or disability.
NYPMR physicians first step is to access an employee’s functional capacity to perform his or her job while taking the injured workers job’s duties into account.
For example, the assessment for mechanical operators who sustained lower-back injuries at work would test their range of motion and the maximum allowable weight that they could safely lift.
If you're hurt at work, a board certified workers comp doctor from NYPMR will check how your injury affects you. NYPMR workers compensation doctors can also tell you and your employer how much you can physically do and if there are any physical limitations because of your injuries.
Treatment for Work-Related Injuries: includes recommending medication and exercises to assist the employee in regaining their initial level of functionality.
After examining the employee's injury or illness, the doctor usually creates a treatment plan to help the employee recover and get back to work. This plan should be based on the best medical practices and evidence currently known.
The treatment plan may include medication for healing and pain relief, along with suggestions for activities to be carried out at home and work. If the employee's condition does not improve as expected, the doctor may need to explore the situation further and seek advice from other medical professionals.
When following the treatment plan, the doctor should take into account the right timing for the employee to return to work safely and carry out their job responsibilities.
Communication and Documentation: involve explaining the employee's abilities, restrictions, and any required adjustments to both the employee and the employer. It may also include sharing accurate details with external parties (like benefit administrators, insurers, and workers' compensation attorneys) about the employee's preparedness to resume work.
New York workers' compensation doctors at NYPMR assess the extent of injuries and suggest suitable treatments. They must communicate with employees, employers, and occasionally, insurance companies to review their evaluations and suggestions. Timely communication in this regard is vital as it can influence employees' perceptions of their readiness to resume work (Harber 2008).
Hope was found by union members who suffered back, neck, or upper extremity injuries when they openly discussed with their physician the journey towards healing.
Employees who received return-to-work dates and guidance on how to prevent future injuries returned to work faster compared to those who did not receive such assistance. This indicates that doctors who actively participate in the early return-to-work process can increase the likelihood of successful employee reintegration into the workforce. [Source: Harber 2008, Kosny et al. 2006]
MEDICAL CARE TO THE FOLLOWING NYC UNIONS:
Our work injury physicians are willing to process workers' compensation claims from the majority of unions in New York City, including:
AFSCME
Public Employees DC 37
Teamsters Local 237
Construction And General Building Laborers Local 79
Commuter Rail Employees Local 1
Steamfitters Local 638
International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 3
Painters And Allied Trades DC 9
Structural Steel And Bridge Painters Local 806
Transport Workers Local 100
American Postal Workers Local 10
Iron Workers Local 580
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ
Dockbuilders Local 1456
COBA (Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association)
In case of a work-related injury, you may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits covering medical bills, lost wages, and related expenses. NYPMR injury doctors specialize in handling workers' compensation cases and will perform a thorough evaluation after you have been seen by a designated work physician and your employer has provided documentation.
COMMON INJURIES AND TREATMENTS
The most common workplace injuries may require medication, surgery, and/or physical therapy.
Rotator cuff injury often results from trauma or overuse, manifesting as shoulder stiffness and weakness that may develop into chronic pain if not addressed. Minimally invasive surgery for rotator cuff can effectively mend tears in this region, enhancing arm and shoulder functionality.
ACL tear: The ACL is one of the ligaments that stabilizes and supports the knee joint. Surgery for a torn ACL involves replacing or repairing the affected ligament with grafted tissue.
Meniscus tear: Another common knee injury, a meniscus tear affects the shock-absorbing cartilage that protects the joint. While this injury may heal on its own with rest, ice, compression, and elevation, arthroscopic surgery may be necessary for severe tears.
Shoulder dislocation: This common issue can be related to an underlying injury to the muscle or tendon. Shoulder dislocation surgery may be required to help treat the affected area.
Additional injuries that union members may experience could involve issues like back pain, fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more. Each injury may require its own specific treatment and care.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT:
Have you been injured at work? Union members who are injured can recover and return to work. Reach out to a New York Union Work Injury Doctor today.
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