Foot and ankle injuries can make it difficult to stand, walk, climb, lift, or safely perform physical job duties. From fractures and torn ligaments to crush injuries and chronic pain, serious foot and ankle injuries may require surgery, rehabilitation, and extended time away from work.
At Stern & Cohen, we help injured Pennsylvania workers pursue workers’compensation benefits for foot and ankle injuries caused by workplace accidents and repetitive job duties. If you are seeking workers’ comp benefits for a foot or ankle injury in Pennsylvania, our attorneys are ready to help.
Common Causes of Work-Related Foot and Ankle Injuries
Foot and ankle injuries can happen suddenly in workplace accidents or develop over time from repetitive stress and physically demanding labor.
Common causes of workplace foot and ankle injuries include:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Falling objects
- Crush injuries
- Heavy lifting accidents
- Warehouse and construction accidents
- Vehicle accidents while working
- Uneven walking surfaces
- Repetitive strain injuries
Workers in construction, warehousing, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and delivery jobs may face an increased risk of serious foot and ankle injuries.
Types of Foot and Ankle Injuries We Commonly See
The feet and ankles contain bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves that can all be damaged in a workplace accident.
Common work-related foot and ankle injuries include:
- Ankle fractures
- Foot fractures
- Sprains and strains
- Torn ligaments
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Crush injuries
- Stress fractures
- Nerve injuries
- Chronic ankle instability
Symptoms may include:
- Foot or ankle pain
- Swelling and bruising
- Difficulty walking
- Limited mobility
- Weakness or instability
- Tingling or numbness
- Difficulty bearing weight
These injuries can interfere with a worker’s ability to safely perform physical labor or remain on their feet for extended periods.
Foot and Ankle Injuries by Job Type
Certain occupations place workers at a higher risk of foot and ankle injuries because of repetitive movement, physical labor, and hazardous work environments.
Warehouse Workers
Warehouse employees may suffer ankle fractures, crush injuries, and sprains from falling inventory, repetitive lifting, slippery floors, or equipment accidents.
Construction Workers
Construction workers frequently experience fractures, torn ligaments, and crush injuries caused by falls, uneven surfaces, ladders, scaffolding, and heavy equipment.
Healthcare Workers
Nurses and healthcare employees often develop foot and ankle pain from prolonged standing, repetitive walking, and lifting patients.
Delivery Drivers and Transportation Workers
Delivery drivers may suffer foot and ankle injuries while loading cargo, climbing in and out of vehicles, or working on slippery surfaces.
Manufacturing Workers
Factory and manufacturing employees may face foot injuries from repetitive standing, machinery accidents, falling objects, and heavy materials.
Foot and Ankle Surgery and Workers’ Compensation
Some foot and ankle injuries require surgery, especially in cases involving fractures, torn ligaments, tendon damage, or severe instability. Recovery may involve physical therapy, rehabilitation, and significant time away from work.
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits may cover:
- Surgical treatment
- Hospital bills
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Medical equipment
- Wage-loss benefits during recovery
Insurance companies sometimes dispute the severity of foot and ankle injuries or argue that workers can return before they are fully healed. Our attorneys are experienced in handling contested workers’ compensation claims involving serious orthopedic injuries.
Light Duty Work After a Foot or Ankle Injury
After a foot or ankle injury, some employees are released to return on light duty restrictions. These restrictions may limit standing, walking, climbing, lifting, or repetitive movement while the injury heals.
Workers should never feel pressured to perform duties that worsen their condition or violate medical restrictions. If appropriate modified work is unavailable, injured workers may still qualify for wage-loss benefits.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits and Settlements for Foot and Ankle Injuries
If you suffered a work-related foot or ankle injury in Pennsylvania, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for medical treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and lost wages during recovery.
Some foot and ankle injury workers’ comp claims resolve through settlements based on factors such as the severity of the injury, surgery requirements, permanent work restrictions, ongoing medical treatment, and lost earning capacity. Workers’ compensation may apply whether the injury resulted from a sudden workplace accident or repetitive job duties.
Let Stern & Cohen Help With Your Foot or Ankle Injury Claim
At Stern & Cohen, we understand how painful and disruptive a serious foot or ankle injury can be. Whether you suffered a fracture, torn ligament, crush injury, or repetitive stress condition, our experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorneys are ready to protect your rights and fight for the benefits you deserve.
If you suffered a foot or ankle injury at work, contact Stern & Cohen today for a free consultation.