Work Related Back Injuries

Work Related Back Injuries

Work related back injuries and pain is one of the most common work related injuries and is often caused by ordinary work activities such as sitting in an office chair or heavy lifting. Back injuries account for nearly 20% of all injuries and illnesses in the workplace and cost the nation an estimated 20 to 50 billion dollars per year.

Have you or someone you know suffered work related back injuries and want to file for workers' compensation? If so, contact one of our expererienced workers' compensation lawyers in your area today!

Doctors can not pinpoint the exact sources of back pain. In fact, many back problems stem from a combination of factors. The four main factors associated with increased risk of work related back injuries and pain include:

• Force. When a worker exerts a lot of force on his or her back, it can cause an injury. If their job is physical in nature, he or she may face back pain if they consistently lift or move heavy objects.
• Repetition. Repetition, in the case of back injuries, is defined as the number of times a person performs a certain movement. When a person repeats a similiar movement over a long period of time, it can lead to muscle fatigue or injury, especially if the workers stretches to the end of their range of motion.
• Posture. Posture refers to the arrangement of a person's body when they sit, stand, or perform a particular job. Aches and pains can stem from being in one position for too long. For instance, if a person spends too much time sitting in front of a computer without taking breaks to stretch, they may experience you spend most of your time in front of a computer, you may experience occasional aches and pains. Reports show that a person's body can tolerate being in one position for approximately 20 minutes before they feel the need to adjust their position.
• Stress. Pressures at work or at home can increase a person's anxiety levels, which can lead to tightness and tension in muscles all over their body. This is one of the causes of back pain.

Studies have shown that more and more workers are relying on back belts to support their backs and prevent work related back injuries while they are lifing heavy objects. The use of these back supports have become popular with grocery store clerks, warehouse workers, and airline baggage handlers. Though the use of back belts has risen over the past few years, NIOSH has started to question their effectiveness. While back belts are being bought and sold with the assumption that they help reduce the risk of back injury, there is insufficient scientific evidence proving that they deliver what is promised.

Have you or someone you know suffered work related back injuries and want to file for workers' compensation? If so, contact one of our expererienced workers' compensation attorneys in your area today!

Updated: LW