How Long Should I Be Off Work for Whiplash?

If you experience whiplash, you should take anywhere from two weeks to multiple months away from work. In more severe cases, some victims of whiplash-inducing incidents may need to spend a year or more recovering from their injuries.

In general, a Phoenix personal injury lawyer can help you understand how much time to take off work. After all, the time you are off work for whiplash will ultimately depend on how significant your injuries are and the amount of pain you are in after the accident.

Symptoms to Pay Attention to When You Are Off Work for Whiplash  

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the sudden and forceful movement of the head—and this movement can be backward, forward, or sideways. Such rapid motion can damage the soft tissues in your neck, including muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

When answering the question, “How long should I be off work for whiplash?” it’s important to take your symptoms into consideration. But what are the symptoms of whiplash? 

Symptoms of whiplash can vary in terms of frequency and intensity. Sometimes, they may not appear immediately after the injury, so regular monitoring is important for whiplash victims. Here are common signs of whiplash:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Decreased range of motion in the neck
• Headaches that start at the base of the skull
• Shoulder or upper back pain
• Dizziness or fatigue
• Numbness or tingling in the arms
• Difficulty concentrating or memory issues

In mild cases, your whiplash-related symptoms may resolve within a few days. However, in more severe cases, these symptoms can persist for weeks or months on end. Regardless of the timeframe, it’s important to seek medical attention to evaluate the extent of your injuries.

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How Long does it Take to Recover from Whiplash While Off Work?

The length of time it takes to recover from whiplash depends on the severity of your injuries. For many people who sustain mild to moderate whiplash, the recovery process typically lasts anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

According to medical professionals, mild whiplash cases may take around two to three weeks to heal, while moderate cases can still cause pain for up to six to eight weeks, if not even longer. No matter how long your recovery period is, patients are advised to rest as much as they can.

It can also help to regularly apply heat followed by a cold compress on and off throughout the day. Try to engage in gentle physical therapy exercises, too. Last but not least, over-the-counter pain relievers or muscle relaxants can also help manage pain and reduce inflammation.

Prolonged Recovery in Severe Cases

In more severe cases of whiplash, recovery can take a year or more. Some people might experience chronic pain and long-term complications that never go away, both of which are known as whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).

In these cases, victims of car or truck accidents may require ongoing medical care, physical therapy, or surgical interventions to address their persistent pain as well as any mobility issues. If your symptoms do not improve after a few months or worsen over time, schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Ongoing discomfort or limited range of movement may be an indicator of underlying issues—such as damage to the spinal discs or nerves—that require immediate attention. A healthcare professional can address these problems and any others that arise over time.

How Long Should You Stay Out of Work After a Car Accident Where You Suffered Whiplash?

The amount of time you should take off work after a whiplash injury depends on the severity of your symptoms and the type of work you do. In general, those who experience mild to moderate whiplash can return to work once their symptoms begin to improve. 

However, it’s wise to ask for medical clearance from your doctor prior to going back to work. Your healthcare provider can give you more personalized advice regarding how much rest you should take and when it’s appropriate for you to resume your normal activities. 

Even after you return to work, you may still experience residual symptoms of whiplash. If that is the case for you, your doctor might recommend that you adhere to certain restrictions in an effort to prevent yourself from accidentally aggravating your injury. Here are some examples:

• Limiting heavy lifting or manual labor
• Avoiding prolonged periods of sitting or standing
• Taking regular breaks to stretch and move your neck
• Reducing the number of hours worked per day 

If your job involves driving or operating heavy machinery, it’s particularly important to be cautious about returning to the workplace too soon. Whiplash can cause dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and slow reaction times, all of which can make it unsafe for you to drive. 

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How to File a Workers’ Compensation or Personal Injury Claim for Whiplash

If your whiplash injury occurred at work or as the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Filing a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit can help you financially recover. A lawyer can help you decide which type of claim to file.

In short, if your injury occurred while performing your job duties, you should be eligible to receive compensation through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Meanwhile, if your whiplash injury resulted from a car accident, you can look into filing a personal injury claim.

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Schedule a Consultation With an Attorney Who Can Help You Decide How Long You Should Be Off Work for Whiplash

So, how long should you be off work for whiplash? The answer depends on the extent of your injuries, pain levels, and physical discomfort. For individuals with chronic whiplash symptoms, long-term treatment options may be necessary. 

If you want to open a claim against the party that caused you to experience whiplash in the first place, reach out to Zanes Law. When you contact our law firm, we can tell you more about us, and we can build a case on your behalf.

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