Patients Under Pressure: Dealing with Construction Coworkers While Recovering

After you experience a workplace injury, your mind and body need time to heal. Rushing the recovery process can lead to long-term harm, and, sometimes, the rate of recovery isn’t all that clear.

Rationally, we know this.

In all other ways, it might be our instinct to get back to work as quickly as possible. It doesn’t help that your coworkers may not be incredibly informed or empathetic regarding best practices for your healing process.

If you’re back at work but trying not to overdo it, you may need to know how to manage coworkers who don’t understand your need to take care.

Healing On-Site After a Workplace Injury

Unfortunately, for many construction workers, some level of inherent risk is simply part of the job. The phenomenon called “social contagion” can also cause individual workers to make unsafe decisions.

As you heal, your colleagues may try to give you more work than you’re ready to take on or make unhelpful comments about your contributions. They may shrug off your pain or offer unsolicited advice to speed along your therapeutic process.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Share your work restrictions with your team. If you need to avoid lifting heavy objects, make sure that your colleagues know that.
  • Get educated about what might happen if you overextend yourself. The health complications of straining to succeed when you need to focus on healing can be profound. You could turn a temporary situation into a permanent one if you don’t take a break. Share this information with your coworkers as needed.
  • Document any on-the-job pain you feel, and know when it’s time to go back to your doctor. Even if you’re following your work restrictions to the letter, you could still strain yourself.
  • Keep your employer updated about how your injury is progressing. Before and after you come back to work, provide them with information about medical restrictions, your doctor’s advice, and more. This will help create healthier expectations about your ability to perform.

Rely on Personal Injury Attorneys in Tarzana, California, for Support

One of the most important things to remember is this: Don’t go back to work before you’re ready! We understand that this can be easier said than done. At Accident Defenders, it’s our goal to help you establish practical ways to move past your workplace accident. We can help you argue for maximum compensation, extended leave, and other benefits.

Call our team today at 323-818-HURT to learn more about how we can serve you.

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