What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Many jobs cause employees to perform constant, physically strenuous work, day in and day out. Regular physical exertion can lead to injury, requiring medical treatment and time spent away from work. When an injury is a condition that develops over time, it can be difficult to prove that the situation was caused by the job as opposed to other factors in the employee’s life. One such condition is plantar fasciitis, a painful foot injury. Read on to learn about plantar fasciitis and whether it can qualify as a covered workplace injury, and reach out to a dedicated New York workplace injury attorney if you or a family member has been hurt on the job in the Hudson Valley.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition, commonly developed by people who work on their feet all day or who are avid runners. The condition involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs from the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. Inflammation occurs when regular stress and tension on the plantar fascia causes repeated stretching and tearing. Working in an occupation that keeps you on your feet all the time, such as factory work, teaching, and others significantly increases the risk of developing plantar fasciitis. The condition is one of the most common causes of chronic heel pain.
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis usually causes a stabbing pain in the bottom of the foot near the heel. The pain is often the worst in the first few steps in the morning after getting out of bed, and it can be triggered throughout the day after long periods of standing or getting up after sitting. The pain is usually worse after exercise, not during. If left untreated, the severe pain can lead to limitations of regular activity, and being forced to modify your walk to avoid the pain can lead to conditions affecting the foot, knee, hip, or back.
Is plantar fasciitis a workplace injury?
Plantar fasciitis is a more difficult condition to claim for workers’ compensation because it can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic predisposition, weight, and regular running. However, if you work in a job that keeps you on your feet all day, you might be able to prove that your condition was directly caused by your job.
Your personal injury attorney can help you prove additional factors in your favor to strengthen your connection between the job and the injury, including by showing that you are in good health, that your employer did not recommend a specific type of shoe to alleviate the risk, and you have never experienced plantar fasciitis before working this job.
If you or someone you love suffers from plantar fasciitis or another workplace injury in New York, find out if you have a right to compensation for your injuries by contacting the seasoned and effective Hudson Valley personal injury lawyers at Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello, LLP, for a free consultation at 845-331-4100 (Kingston) or 845-236-4411 (Marlboro).
