Should I Go to the Gym After a Workplace Injury in Chicago?

Exercise is often an important part of recovery after a workplace accident. Rehabilitation may revolve around strengthening of muscles, and you may be perfectly justified in going to the gym after your accident. However, you might want to think carefully before exercising in public. This could affect your workers’ compensation claim in Chicago, and you might even face accusations of fraud.

Why Going to the Gym Might Be a Bad Idea

Depending on the nature of your injury, going to the gym might be a bad idea. In certain cases, insurers hire private detectives to follow those who have filed workers’ comp claims. These private detectives might follow you to your gym and take photographs of you working out. The insurer may then use this evidence to argue that your injuries are not real.

There have been cases of people claiming to suffer debilitating spinal cord injuries, only to appear at their local gyms lifting extremely heavy weights. This is obviously problematic, and it makes a claim much more challenging to pursue. If you claim that your injuries are extremely debilitating, your public activities should reflect this.

Follow the Directions of Your Doctors

That being said, certain types of exercise might actually be incredibly important after your injury. For example, you might suffer a rotator cuff injury. You might also suffer nerve damage to your leg that results in severe weakness in your muscles. Your doctors might instruct you to perform various exercises each day as you recover and rebuild your strength.

If you feel more comfortable performing these exercises at your local gym, you may have every right to do so. Your gym might provide access to certain equipment that you cannot afford to purchase. Even if a private detective photographs you at your local gym, you can push back by pointing out that you’re engaging in medically prescribed exercises.

An experienced workers’ comp lawyer may be able to help in this situation. If your claim has been denied because you were caught at your local gym, contact a lawyer before giving up hope. With medical records, doctor testimony, and other evidence, you may be able to prove that you were simply following your prescribed exercise plan.

Be Careful of Other Public Activities

Working out in public isn’t the only thing that can result in a denied claim. You might want to avoid any activities that would cast doubt upon the legitimacy of your injuries. Insurers are more likely to hire private detectives if your claim is worth a considerable sum.

Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Chicago Help Me?

If you’re wondering whether to go to the gym after a workplace accident, you should first consult your doctor. Your doctor should be able to help you understand whether working out is the best option based on the specifics of your injury. Next, you might want to contact your workers’ comp attorney in Chicago. These legal professionals can help you understand whether exercising in public could cause certain issues. Contact Connolly Injury Law today to learn more about your options.

Source:

9news.com.au/national/extreme-surveillance-sees-injured-workers-miss-out-on-compensation/9bb85ee2-f617-4edd-be4b-0f984553832a