Injuries to feet or ankles, including sprains and fractures, can occur in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, the result of these injuries may be a disability that keeps you from being able to do the work you were hired by a federal agency to perform.
If you have suffered a foot- or ankle-related injury, you may qualify for federal disability retirement benefits if the condition impacts your ability to do your job.
Contact Harris Federal to learn more. Our firm works with federal employees throughout the U.S. We can provide a free consultation that will help you to understand your eligibility and the process of seeking benefits you have earned.
Why Do Foot and Ankle Injuries Occur?
Ankle sprains are also called soft-tissue injuries. They can be caused by single, direct impacts, exposure to thermal factors and/or chemicals or repetitive micro-trauma.
Sprains occur when ligaments connecting the bones suddenly stretch or tear, as in a twisted ankle. If not treated properly, sprains can lead to weak ankle joints. Feet or ankles can also be fractured due to a sudden, awkward turn of the foot or collision with a heavy or dense object.
Sports accidents account for many of these types of injuries. For instance, they may occur while playing basketball, football, running or even dancing. You can also injure a foot or ankle by simply tripping or twisting it while walking.
Other causes for ankle and foot pain are infections of the ankle joint, osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis and Reiter syndrome, nerve injuries, injuries to the heal or blocked blood vessels in the leg.
Plantar fasciitis, for example, is a condition where the tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the toes to the heel becomes inflamed. This condition can make walking, running and standing highly painful.
Does Your Foot/Ankle Injury Keep You From Doing Your Job?
Simple sprains can be treated at home with RICE:
- Rest – You should avoid putting weight on the injured area as much as possible.
- Ice – For the first 48 hours, you should put ice on the area every 3-4 hours for 15-20 minutes. This will help with reducing any inflammation.
- Compression – Use an ACE bandage to wrap the foot or ankle.
- Elevation – Keep the foot or ankle elevated with pillows above your heart to reduce swelling.
However, if your job requires that you walk or stand for prolonged periods such as many jobs with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) or Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), you may be unable to fully carry out your duties if you have suffered a serious foot or ankle injury.
For instance, you may need to stay off your feet for days or weeks. You may also need to obtain an X-ray or MRI to ascertain the extent of the damage or to see if the foot or ankle is broken. If your job requires you to be on your feet, you may not be able to function at work at all until it is healed.
We Help Federal Employees with Foot and Ankle Injuries
One of the most important steps in seeking federal disability retirement benefits is seeking medical records that document your disability. At Harris Federal, our team can take of that aspect of your case while you focus on your health. We can also help you go through the rest of the process of applying for benefits you need and have earned with your service.
To learn more about how we can assist if you have suffered a disabling foot or ankle injury, simply call us today or submit our online form. We provide free consultations and are available to help federal workers anywhere in the country.
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