Atlanta Workplace Neck and Back Injuries
Workplace neck and back injuries are some of the most common injuries among workers and can have severe consequences for a workplace accident victim.
If you suffer this type of injury in an accident, you can be out of work for weeks, even months. In severe cases, a neck or back injury can be the end of your career. When this happens, your employer’s insurance company is responsible for paying you for permanent disability and inability to work.
Should you suffer a neck or back injury at work, we can help you pursue compensation for your medical expenses, a portion of your lost wages, and physical disability.
Schedule a free legal consultation today.
What Causes Workplace Neck and Back Injuries?
There are many ways the neck or back can be injured at work:
- Lifting / Pushing / Pulling
- Vehicle collisions
- Falls
- Impact with projectiles and falling objects
- Accidents where the victim is pinned between two objects
However, not all workplace neck and back injuries result from one-off accidents.
You can suffer repetitive strain injuries in your neck and back if you regularly lift and carry heavy objects. As a result, your condition may worsen over time to the point where you can no longer work.
Lifting items that are too heavy for you, or lifting them in awkward positions, can also put you at risk of suffering a back injury. The neck can also be injured from severe strain on the muscles.
Specific Types of Workplace Neck and Back Injuries
There are a lot of bones in your neck and back. There are also a lot of muscles, tendons, and ligaments, known collectively as soft tissue. Your back is also home to your spinal cord, the pathway for all electrical signals in your body.
When the spinal cord is injured, you can be paralyzed, lose sensation in specific areas of your body, and suffer from bladder or bowel dysfunction.
Other types of workplace back and neck injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Fractured vertebrae
- Herniated disks
- Sprains
- Strains
- Pinched nerves
Complications of Workplace Neck and Back Injuries
The long-term complications of a neck or back injury you face depend on the type of injury you sustained – and the promptness and quality of medical care you received afterward.
Typically, the sooner you receive medical care, the better your chance of recovery.
Long-term complications of a neck or back injury can include:
- Chronic pain
- Headaches
- Muscle stiffness
- Joint pain
- Reduced range of motion
- Numbness
When a neck or back injury involves injury to the spinal cord, you can face more severe complications, such as:
- Sexual dysfunction
- Partial or total paralysis
- Coma
- Impaired bladder and bowel control
- Blood clots
- Death
Recover the Workers’ Compensation Benefits You Deserve
If you’ve suffered a workplace neck and back injury, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation.
How you are compensated depends on your individual situation and injury.
As an Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer, I can help you get compensation for lost wages, medical bills, physical disability, and even gas money for your medical appointments.
To learn more about your rights and how you can pursue these benefits, contact DeMedeiros Injury Law today to set up a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer.