A lifting injury at work can deliver a crippling blow to injured employees in New York who rely on their physical stamina to perform their jobs successfully. Many lifting injuries are associated with back pain, which may be the result of various injuries. In any case, if the injury occurred in the workplace, the employee has a right to pursue compensation through workers' comp.

Occupations Most Affected by Back Pain at Work

A study published in 2002 in Occupational & Environmental Medicine, a peer-reviewed medical journal, examined repeated activity and single accident and injury back pain among various occupations. It found that certain occupations had higher prevalence of back pain associated with repetitive activities, which might include lifting.

Broken down by gender, the following are occupations with the highest prevalence of back pain associated with repeated activity for male workers:

  • carpenters – 19.2 percent;
  • auto mechanics – 17.7 percent;
  • stock handlers and baggers – 17.2 percent;
  • plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters – 16.7 percent; and
  • supervisors – 16.6 percent.

 

The occupations with the highest prevalence of back pain associated with repeated activities for female workers:

  • nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants – 15.2 percent;
  • licensed practical nurses – 13.9 percent;
  • hairdressers and cosmetologists – 12.5 percent;
  • janitors and cleaners – 12.4 percent; and
  • maids and housemen – 11.9 percent.

 

Prevalence of back pain associated with a single accident and injury was highest among construction laborers (11.9 percent), heavy truck drivers (9.3 percent) and electricians (9.3 percent) for men. It was highest among nursing aides, orderlies and attendants (7.5 percent), maids and housemen (6.8 percent) and production inspectors, checkers and examiners (6.6 percent) among female workers.

Injuries Associated with Lifting in the Workplace

The information above notes only that the workers suffered back pain, but did not expand on on the type of injury causing that pain.

Workers might suffer a number of different injuries from lifting heavy items in the workplace that can cause back pain:

  • strained muscles;
  • herniated discs;
  • fractures; and
  • muscle spasms.

Securing Compensation after a Lifting Injury at Work in New York

After the initial anxiety and following a physician’s exam of the injury, hurt employees may begin to wonder about recovering compensation to help them pay for medical bills and replace their wages while away from work. Medical bills and lost pay from missed days at work should be covered by the employer’s workers’ compensation coverage.

Workers injured while lifting at work must follow the proper steps to secure workers' compensation for lifting injuries on the job. Injured employees should notify their employer of the injury as soon as possible and should do so in writing within 30 days. It's also important that workers seek proper medical care after the accident or upon experiencing symptoms associated with repeated strenuous activities like lifting.

For help filing the claim or if you run into any snags during the process, call Markhoff & Millman to discuss legal representation and go over your claim. Call us at 866-205-2415.