Back injuries account for nearly 20% of all workplace injuries and illnesses and cost an estimated $20 billion to $50 billion annually. Although workplace injuries have declined overall in the past decade, back injuries remain the most common type of workplace injury in the United States, according to Occupational Health & Safety Magazine. Workers in all type of industries, from construction to health care, are at risk for back injury.
Back Injuries By The Numbers
- About 300,000 to 400,000 back sprains and strains are recorded in private industry each year. This figure doesn’t include unreported injuries or those suffered by government employees.
- Back injuries account for more that 20 percent of lost-time injuries in the private sector each year.
- Back injuries can cost over $39,000 per claim.
- For the first year of care for a back injury
Many back injuries are preventable. However, both employers and employees must acknowledge the risks and make efforts to prevent them. The circumstances and risks vary from job to job, but there are some basic ways to reduce on-the-job back injury in all occupations
Back Injury Prevention Rules To Live By
- Eliminate the risk. Workers often take unnecessary risks by lifting or moving something that either doesn’t need to be lifted or moved or that requires two or more people. Do not allow employees to take risks that are unnecessary.
- Eliminate obstacles. When tasks that commonly lead to back injuries must be undertaken, eliminate all obstacles. This may mean moving boxes or pieces of furniture that are in the way or arranging for a second person to assist.
- Use safety equipment. Workers who lift heavy objects or do a considerable amount of bending each day may need a back brace or belt to help stabilize and strengthen the back. In addition, make sure safety equipment is used properly.
- Lift, bend, and move properly. Whether an employee needs to lift, bend, or move objects, there is a proper and an improper way to do it. Learning and employing the proper techniques can drastically reduce back injuries suffered by workers.
- Report injuries when they occur. An injured worker should report a back injury immediately. Allowing a back injury to go untreated can lead to a much more serious problem. That results in more pain and lost time for the worker as well as greater expense for the employer.
I Do Manual Labor. Do Back Belts Prevent Injury?
Many companies that require their employees to do heavy lifting have started using back belts and back supports.
But there’s little scientific evidence to support the notion that these belts actually prevent injuries, according to NIOSH. In fact, they may actually provide a sense of false security, leading workers and their employers to abandon more effective back injury prevention methods.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) believes that the most effective way to prevent back injury is to implement an ergonomics program that focuses on redesigning the work environment and work tasks to reduce the hazards of lifting.
How Can I Prove I Have A Back Injury?
Medical evidence will help make your case for disability benefits. Here are some examples of the types of information you should collect if you plan on filing a claim:
- MRI results
- Diagnostic testing results
- Surgical records
- Functional Capacity Reports
Who Can Help Me File A Claim For My Back Injury?
If you’ve suffered a back injury while at work, you may want to file a claim. However, filing a claim can prove to be really complicated, and often, initial applications are denied for reasons that are sometimes unclear. That’s where the Bulldog Lawyers come in. Let us help you gather the materials you need and create the most comprehensive case we can. Studies have shown that when filing a workers’ compensation claim, hiring a lawyer to assist you in the process can increase your chances of winning. Please contact us for a free consultation. We are committed to helping you recover quickly while making sure your medical bills and lost wages are taken care of.
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