Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Common Causes of Work-Related Back Injuries

Back injuries account for 20 percent of all injuries and illnesses in the workplace, affecting over 1 million workers annually. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that back injuries cost between $20 to $50 billion per year, and one forth of workers’ compensation monetary claims involve back injuries.

Back injuries are the most common type of injury we see in our Minnesota workers’ compensation law practice.

Some of the most common causes of back injuries include:
  • Reaching while lifting
  • Poor posture while sitting or standing
  • Prolonged static positions
  • Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying things improperly
  • Poor workstation design
  • Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying things that are too heavy
  • Twisting while lifting
  • Bending while lifting
  • Prolonged awkward postures
  • Fatigue
  • Poor footing, including slippery floors
  • Vibration from machines or equipment
Unfortunately, back injuries can be extremely painful and may even be disabling. If you've sustained a back injury on the job in Minnesota, you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits, including medical expense benefits, wage loss benefits, permanency benefits, and/or rehabilitation benefits

If you’ve sustained a back injury on the job, contact Meuser & Associates at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our lawyers to learn about your Minnesota workers’ compensation rights.
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