Workers’ compensation coverage helps protect employed people from medical issues caused by their careers. Workers can receive medical benefits that pay for their treatment and disability benefits while they are unable to work.
Back injuries acquired on the job are among the most common injuries that result in a leave of absence and a need for medical care. In some cases, back injuries may create long-term limitations for workers because they could potentially re-injure themselves even after they heal. Avoiding a back injury is typically preferable to seeking benefits after acquiring one. The following are the top reasons that workers develop back injuries because of their employment.
Heavy lifting
Lifting a large amount of weight in any form can put intense strain on the spine, the muscles in the back and connective tissue. Workers in a variety of professions from warehouse employees to nurses working at hospitals may lift more than their bodies can handle. They may suffer an immediate traumatic back injury that produces debilitating pain. Such injuries often require medical care and leave of absence or restricted work duties until the worker recovers.
Repetitive stress injuries
Back injuries don’t necessarily occur all at once. Many workers can slowly develop issues that affect their back or spine because of repetitive job functions. Someone who has to consistently lift, twist and carry items could cause minor amounts of damage that slowly accumulate over time. Repetitive stress injuries to the back can be difficult to treat and may force people to adjust their job responsibilities to avoid a scenario where their symptoms continue to worsen.
Inadequate lumbar support
People can hurt their backs because they sit for all or most of their day at work. Office employees and truck drivers can develop issues in their lower back due to inadequate lumbar support. Without ergonomically-designed chairs, sitting for long amounts of time can cause damage to the human body. Workers may find it painful to continue sitting and may discover that the pain they experience limits their functionality in other ways.
People with back injuries sometimes require surgery. They may need to undergo physical therapy or may require pain management medication. Workers’ compensation benefits can help those with job-acquired back injuries minimize the financial fallout that might otherwise occur as a result of these needs. Getting the right assistance when pursuing workers’ compensation for a back injury can help an employee maximize their benefits and improve their chance of a full recovery.