What is a Spinal Burst Fracture?

Spinal burst fractures are extremely serious injuries, and are usually caused by severe trauma such as a motor vehicle accident or a fall from a height. 

Extreme amounts of force exerted onto the spine can crush the vertebrae of the spine. A burst fracture involves extreme compression, or crushing, of the vertebra, causing the edges of the bone to spread out in all directions. With bony fragments and edges spreading out in all directions, there is a strong possibility that the spinal cord will be injured, resulting in paralysis or partial neurological injury. A burst fracture also causes severe instability of the spine at the affected area.

Neurological injury from a burst fracture can (in some lucky cases), cause no injury at all, or it can cause complete paralysis if the spinal cord damage is severe. The degree of neurological injury is usually determined by the amount of force at the time of injury, and the severity of the damage to the spinal canal. Bony fragments from a fractured vertebra can be forced into the spinal canal, resulting in loss of strength, sensation, or reflexes below the level of the injury. Mild burst fractures can result in relatively minimal symptoms or mild or no neurological injury.

Following an accident where a spinal injury is suspected, x-rays, CT scans, and/or MRI scans may be used to determine the amount of soft tissue trauma, bleeding, or ligament disruption, the presence and location of fracture, the type of fracture, and the amount of spinal canal compromise. All of these elements help determine the course of treatment.

Burst fractures, even without neurological injury, can be extremely painful, and can cause severe, long-term disability. Spinal burst fractures with neurological or spinal cord injuries can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating.

If you or a loved one sustained a spinal fracture as a result of a work-related accident, or a car accident due to someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation in Minnesota. For a free, no-obligation case evaluation, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email to schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys. We can help you get the compensation you are entitled to. 

Ethylene Oxide Exposure and Minnesota Workers’ Compensation

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a flammable, colorless gas (above 51.3 degrees Fahrenheit) that smells like ether at toxic levels. It is found in the production of solvents, antifreeze, textiles, detergents, adhesives, polyurethane foam, and pharmaceuticals. It can also be found in fumigants, sterilants for spices and cosmetics, and surgical equipment sterilizers.

Exposure to ethylene oxide can cause eye and throat irritation, difficulty breathing, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, headache, convulsions, blisters, vomiting, and coughing. Exposure to EtO has also been linked to leukemia and other cancers, spontaneous abortion, genetic damage, nerve damage, peripheral paralysis, muscle weakness, as well as impaired thinking and memory. In liquid form EtO can cause severe skin irritation with prolonged or confined contact.

To learn more about Ethylene oxide in the workplace, read OSHA’s Ethylene Oxide Factsheet.

In Minnesota, workers who suffer injuries or illnesses related to chemical exposure at work are often eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, including wage loss benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation benefits, and medical expense benefits.

Injuries or illnesses caused by chemical exposure are often difficult to prove, as these types of injuries or illnesses may develop over a long period of time, or the symptoms of these illnesses or injuries can be similar to other non-work related conditions.

A Minnesota workers’ compensation lawyer can help evaluate your claim if you’ve suffered an illness or injury due to ethylene oxide exposure or any other chemical exposure at work. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email. 

 

Minnesota Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can be classified in two ways: complete spinal cord injuries and incomplete spinal cord injuries. Complete spinal cord injuries involve injuries to the spinal cord that cause complete loss of voluntary function and sensation below the point of injury. Incomplete spinal cord injuries do not cause complete loss of voluntary function and sensation below the injury.

Thankfully, advancements in modern medicine have reduced the likelihood that a spinal cord injury will be complete. Many spinal cord injury victims do eventually gain some voluntary function and sensation below the point of injury with medical care.

Spinal cord injuries are caused by severe trauma to the spinal cord. These types of injuries can be the result of blunt force trauma, falls, or high speed car accidents.

In Minnesota, if you suffer a spinal cord injury as a result of your work activities, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, including wage loss benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation benefits, and medical expense benefits.

If you suffer a spinal cord injury in a car accident due to someone else’s fault or negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages from the at-fault party.

Spinal cord injuries are physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury at work, or as the result of a car accident, a Minnesota workers’ compensation or personal injury attorney can explain your rights, help you through the process of bringing a claim, and help you get the compensation you’re entitled to.

For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email. 

Preventing Construction Site Back Injuries

In the construction industry, 25% of injuries are back injuries. Construction has a higher rate of back injuries than any other injury, except transportation. Back injuries cause 1 in 100 construction workers to miss time from work every year.

Construction site back injuries are most often caused by lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, and puling materials. Low back injuries are more likely if you often carry heavy loads, must twist while carrying heavy loads, or work a lot while bending over or in other awkward positions. Most back injuries are sprains and strains, but a back injury can be more severe, such as a herniated disc or nerve impingement.

Many construction back injuries can be avoided by:

• Cutting down on carrying. Have materials delivered close to where they will be used. 
• Storing materials at waist height. Lifting from higher or lower heights can be awkward, and can increase the risk of back injury. 
• Raise your work to waist level. Working at waist level avoids awkward postures. 
• Make sure floors and walkways are clear and try. Slips, trips, and falls are a common cause of back injuries. 
• Take breaks. When you’re fatigued, you’re more likely to sustain injury. 
• Use carts, dollies, forklifts, and hoists to move heavy materials. 
• Use carrying tools with handles. Decrease your risk of back injury by having a good grip on awkward loads. 
• Avoid lifting items weighing more than 50 pounds by yourself. Get help from someone else, or use a cart. 
• Keep the load as close to your body as you can when carrying or lifting. 
• Avoid twisting when lifting and lowering materials. 
• Lift and lower materials in a smooth motion. 
• Don’t bend over when lifting materials off the ground. 

If you’ve sustained an on-the-job construction injury, you may be entitled to Minnesota workers’ compensation benefits, including medical expense benefits, wage loss benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, and/or rehabilitation benefits. For a free, no-obligation case consultation contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email.