Profession Caused Back Injury

How Your Job Can Cause Back Pain and Spinal Cord Injury

Some jobs aren’t only tiresome for the stress that they may entail, but other professions have an added burden when they include actual physical aches, pains, and discomfort. Things like lifting heavy objects, awkward postures, forceful movements, frequently bending and twisting, and whole body vibrations increase the risks of pain and injury to workers. This is especially concerning given they can develop into more serious health problems for workers in certain professions.

One prominent concern is the risk of a back injury, or even developing something more serious, such as a spinal cord injury. Several professions place workers at high risk for back injury. In many cases, a back injury, in addition to health and well-being problems, can also put a strain on a person economically, with lost wages being a prominent concern given a worker’s inability to do their job.

A recent estimate stated that the annual incidence of spinal cord injury is 54 cases per one million people in the United States. A total of 17,730 new cases are reported each year. Research has shown that people who suffer a spinal cord injury can expect to pay up to $1 million in the first year and up to $200,000 in succeeding years.

Our experienced legal team at West Coast Trial Lawyers compiled a list of professions with high risk of causing a back injury.

1. Construction Workers
   This one is expected. People who work at construction sites tend to spend a lot of time lifting, carrying, bending, and pulling. These repetitive movements can trigger back pain and overuse injuries. Construction workers often miss work because of back and neck sprains and strains. Not to mention the risk of falling if the personnel have to climb ladders or other potentially hazardous work conditions. Furthermore, a serious spine injury can cause a disability, of which some can often be life-threatening.
2. Nurses & Nursing Home Workers
   Nursing homes are at a high risk of back and/or spine-related injuries. Nurses are expected to carry patients from their bed to the bathtub, or on the toilet, which requires a lot of lifting, holding, and turning. Nurses, for their part, are among the highest at risk for musculoskeletal disorders given they are constantly on their feet throughout their shifts. They, too, frequently have to do a variety of tasks that can affect their back, such as helping a patient get in or out of their bed or toilet, along with moving heavy equipment around.
3. Warehouse Workers
   Working in a warehouse is a physically demanding job that also comes with a lot of lifting, carrying, twisting, and other less than ideal body positions. These positions also often require workers to drive a truck or an industrial vehicle, like forklifts, that create a whole-body vibration, which can lead to backache and soreness.
4. Factory Workers
   Like nurses, factory workers are often on their feet throughout their entire shifts. Moreover, some positions require people to perform tasks that involve doing the same movements for prolonged periods. This can ultimately cause muscle fatigue and weakness.
5. Gardeners, Landscapers, & Farmers
   These three jobs are especially physically demanding. Many of the tasks associated with these professions also require heavy lifting, repetitive motions, bending over, and a lot of walking. Back pain is also common among farmers and landscapers because of the daily and demanding physicality. Repetitive movements like hedge trimming, tree pruning, and planting can lead to overuse back injury.
6. Mothers
   Though they wouldn’t be able to file a workers’ compensation lawsuit in case of an injury, what labor mothers do every day can’t go without being acknowledged. It’s work that is not paid and often overlooked. While it may seem natural for a woman to take care of their child, lift an infant for breastfeeding, and carry them from place to place, motherhood can take a toll on a woman’s back.

   Other professions that put workers at risk of developing a back injury include:

   • Dentists
   • Janitors
   • Airline crew
   • Mechanics
   • Bakers
   • Bus, truck, and taxi drivers
   • Firefighters and police
   • Office personnel
   • Professional athletes

Treatment Expenses

Many back and spinal cord injury victims will require treatment, costly surgeries, and prescription medications. A back and spinal cord injury victim may be able to recover damages for their medical bills, including:

• Surgery
• Medication
• Clinical Visits
• Hospital visits
• Mobility devices
• Physical therapy
• Home health care
• Rehab center visits
• Fertility treatment

Available Damages

As previously mentioned, back and spinal cord injury victims are likely to miss work for a significant amount of time while recuperating. In order to compensate a victim for the loss of income they would have reasonably expected to earn, they will likely recover the following damages for lost wages:

• Lost tips
• Lost wages/salary
• Lost bonuses

A permanent injury can even prevent someone from ever working again. A permanently disabled spinal cord injury victim may pursue damages for the following loss of future earnings:

• Loss of anticipated tips
• Loss of anticipated bonuses
• Loss of anticipated salary/wages
• Loss of anticipated opportunities for advancement

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury due to the negligence of another individual, West Coast Trial Lawyers have spinal cord injury attorneys that have extensive experience in handling personal injury cases. Our attorneys will help you recover compensation for the losses you have suffered, including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation at our firm. No fees are paid until your case is settled. Reach out to our legal team 24/7 by calling (213) 927-3700 or emailing [email protected].