5 Types of Lifting Injuries that Lead to Workers’ Compensation Claims

Lifting heavy objects in the workplace may result in injuries that require immediate medical treatment and push you to claim workers’ compensation.

However, prevention is always better than cure. So, instead of claiming benefits if you sustain lifting injuries, it is better to avoid them. And knowing the most common workplace injuries that result from heavy lifting can help prevent them.

Common Workplace Injuries from Lifting Tasks

Workers may sustain these injuries while manually lifting heavy objects:

1. Spinal Injuries

Many employees sustain spinal injuries, like spinal fractures and herniated discs.

A spinal fracture is where an accident cracks or damages your vertebrae. On the other hand, herniated disk refers to the dislocation of the cushioning disk between two bones in your spinal column.

Spinal injuries may cause pain and discomfort and may also affect your movements. For example, a herniated disc can trigger a tingling and numbing sensation on your legs and make you feel too weak to move.

Immediately call a Burbank workers’ compensation attorney if you sustain a spinal injury, as spine damage is a complicated injury leading to severe disabilities.

2. Back Sprain and Strain

You may also sustain back sprain or strain because of excessive lifting.

While both phrases seem similar, a strain is a muscle and ligament injury, while a sprain affects the joints.

However, both cause swelling and pain, especially while moving the affected area, and the pain and inflammation may limit your movements.

3. Patellar Tendonitis

Patellar tendonitis is an injury to the tendon connecting your kneecap to the shinbone, which swells and hurts more when you move.

Thus, this injury will eventually make moving your legs challenging, like walking and standing. You will require immediate treatment and rehabilitation to restore your leg functions.

4. Rotator Cuff Tear

Rotator Cuff Tear is an injury to the set of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder joint. It is characterized by excruciating shoulder pain, especially when moving or lying on the affected area. The arm connected to the affected shoulder may also experience weakness and movement difficulties.

Proper physical therapy can treat this injury, but you may require surgery if you have a severe rotator cuff tear.

5. Tennis Elbow

You may also sustain lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow from lifting heavy loads.

This injury involves tears on the tendons connecting your outer elbow to your forearms, wrists, and fingers. It commonly causes pain and a burning sensation on the elbow and forearm. Your grip may also weaken, so you will experience problems holding or grasping things.

How to Avoid Workplace Injuries from Lifting

Now, here are some tips to avoid these injuries while doing heavy lifting activities:

Avoid manually lifting objects that are more than 50lbs. Instead, ask for help from a coworker or use lifting equipment like a forklift.

Maintain proper posture while lifting a heavy object. For example, avoid bending your back to prevent spine injuries. Also, don’t lift a heavy object using only one hand to spread the weight evenly.

Avoid lifting a heavy load over a prolonged period. Employers should let you take frequent breaks to avoid overexerting your body.

Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Burbank if You Get Injuries from Lifting

Lifting heavy loads puts you at risk of injuries, especially when done frequently and improperly. Thus, observe safety tips when engaging in lifting activities in the workplace.

However, always contact a Burbank workers’ compensation attorney to claim benefits if you sustain injuries from lifting heavy loads.