For millions of American workers, chronic back pain is an unwelcome part of the workday. In some cases, it may be possible to have all or part of the medical treatment for your back pain covered by the workers' compensation program in your state. However, experts say that it can often be difficult to receive maximum benefits for a work-related back injury unless you have clear evidence that the injury was caused by work-related activities. Because back pain is such a common ailment, and because the pain can continue for years without any clear physiological cause, back injury cases are often hotly disputed within the workers' compensation system. However, several policy trends in recent years have made it easier for employees to prove that their back injuries are work-related. Most significantly, some states now grant coverage to workers with existing back problems that were aggravated by work-related duties. Check with a representative of your local workers' compensation agency for details about the laws that apply in your state.