Are you thinking, “I hurt my back at work—now what?” Consider that your pain could be due to wear and tear injury. Unlike acute, sudden onset injuries, wear and tear occur gradually. Certain professions and job duties lend themselves to wear and tear injuries, such as construction workers, baggage handlers, medical personnel and waste and garbage disposal employees. Still, they can happen to anyone who repeatedly engages in certain movements or positions.
Back wear and tear at the workplace can be debilitating and lead to long-lasting, devastating consequences on your life. If you believe you suffered a back injury due to frequent repetitive motion or being in a prolonged stationary position on the job, you should consult an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer immediately.
Causes of Chronic Wear and Tear Back Injuries
Back wear and tear at the workplace can occur for more reasons than you might think. While some causes may be obvious, such as lifting heavy boxes daily, other causes are less apparent, like:
- Repetitive tasks and motions;
- Poor posture;
- Prolonged sitting, lifting, or other positions;
- Repetitive awkward movements; and
- Inadequate ergonomic setups.
Whether you believe one of these caused your back injury or something else entirely, it is vital to seek necessary medical attention and discuss your options for filing a workers’ compensation claim with a seasoned attorney.
Common Back Wear and Tear Injuries
Wear and tear injuries are different from acute injuries. They occur gradually over time and as a result of repetitive motion, action, or position. Chronic conditions arising from long-term strain on the spine, muscles, and joints include:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis,
- Bone spurs,
- Osteoarthritis,
- Herniated disc,
- Sprains and strains, and
- Sciatica.
These types of injuries often start mildly but worsen over time, especially if you do not remedy or stop their cause. Seeking appropriate medical care is one of the first steps, but ultimately, the goal is to find ways to minimize or prevent the cause of these conditions altogether.
How Can Employees Prevent a Wear and Tear Back Injury?
You can prevent back injury by following certain precautions, including:
- Modifying repetitive tasks or movements by alternating and changing the way you typically do things,
- Lifting properly from the knees and legs rather than your back,
- Keeping good posture,
- Resting when you can, and
- Wearing proper shoes and protective gear (e.g., back brace).
Doing these things can sometimes be easier said than done, especially if your employer is not understanding or accommodating. If that sounds like your case, speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to learn more about your rights.
Back Wear and Tear Injury Treatment
While some back injuries can be prevented from worsening by modifying your work habits, stretching, and simple at-home exercises, others require more medical intervention, including:
- Hot and cold packs,
- Physical therapy,
- Injections, and
- Surgery.
If you injured your back at work, seeking medical attention to devise an appropriate treatment plan is essential. Usually, your doctor will start with the least invasive treatment and proceed to more invasive and extensive treatment if necessary.
Establishing a Workers’ Compensation Claim for a Back Wear and Tear Injury
While it may be apparent to you that your work caused your back injury, it may be less obvious to your employer and their workers’ comp carrier. Establishing and proving wear and tear injuries are generally more challenging because they happen slowly and not as the result of a one-time accident. You will have to prove your job duties—and not something else—caused your wear and tear injury. For instance, the worker’s comp insurance carrier might try to say that years of recreational sports caused your back injury instead of your work tasks. A skilled attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to prove your claim, including medical records, co-worker testimony, expert opinions, employment history, and more. These tools will allow your attorney to combat attempts to diminish or discredit your claim.
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