Two of the most commonly injured parts of the body include the neck and back. This is because we use these parts of our body a lot more than we realized to accomplish daily tasks, and they’re particularly vulnerable to harm when an accident happens at work.
A neck and back injury can be relatively minor, or it may be severe enough to convey life-altering consequences. In either situation, it’s important to file a workers’ compensation claim as soon as you become injured. This can help you get the financial compensation you need to afford new medical bills and recover any lost wages you suffered as a result of the injury.
5 Common Workplace Beck & Neck Injuries
There are many different ways someone can hurt their neck and back at work, but there are at least five common types of injuries that result from a single traumatic event or repetitive trauma over time.
1. Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are some of the most serious and costly types of injuries to deal with. They typically occur during a traumatic event, such as when an object falls upon a worker’s spine or the worker falls onto their spine from any height.
A spinal cord injury can cause serious medical complications that may include paralysis and permanent disability. As a result, a worker may be unable to return to their job if the injury was severe enough.
2. Whiplash
Whiplash is a colloquial term for a neck injury that can range from minor to severe. Most people are familiar with whiplash within the context of a car accident, but these injuries can occur in any event where the neck is suddenly jolted by an impact of some kind.
Although many believe that the force of an impact must be great to cause whiplash, it’s actually fairly common for this neck injury to occur at surprisingly low speeds. If someone is injured by whiplash, they may experience a reduced range of motion in their neck, numbness, tingling, muscle spasms, and other symptoms in their neck. They can also experience similar symptoms in their ribs and limbs.
3. Herniated Disc
A common workplace back injury that can also occur is known as a herniated disc. Sometimes also called a ruptured or slipped disc, this injury can happen when the soft tissue between vertebrae breaks down due to repetitive trauma or vertebrae get displaced from a sudden event.
In either case, the bones can put pressure on nerves, which results in pain. Those who suffer from herniated discs say the pain can range from a consistent but mild ache to debilitating pain.
4. Thoracic Spine Injuries
Thoracic spine injuries are those that occur in the chest, ribs, or middle of one’s back. Thoracic spine injuries are often the result of a crushing accident or high-energy impact. As a consequence, they can be extremely painful and potentially lead to lifelong disability or health complications.
5. Lumbar Spine Injuries
Lumbar spine injuries occur in the lower region of someone’s back, where five vertebrae are supported by muscles in the lower back, abdomen, and hips. Lumbar spine injuries can occur when muscles and ligaments supporting the lower back are overextended, strained, sprained, or torn. When this occurs, the injured party can experience immense pain, limited mobility, and may not be able to perform daily tasks.
Was Your Back or Neck Injured at Work?
If your back and/or neck were injured at work, our team at Smolich and Smolich can help you complete your workers’ compensation claim. With our representation, we can demystify the workers’ compensation process and provide the legal support you need to defend your claim.
For more information about how Smolich and Smolich can help, reach out to us online!