Understanding Your Lifting Injuries
According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), heavy lifting is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries in the United States. These injuries are primarily caused by overexertion and cumulative trauma. They are largely preventable if smart lifting practices are observed, which employers and employees share a responsibility for following.
At Morales & Cerino, we have extensive experience with workers’ compensation claims related to lifting injuries. Our dedicated Hialeah and Miami workers' compensation lawyers help workers across Florida who have been injured in heavy lifting accidents and also those who have suffered serious injuries as a result of continual lifting.
To find out how an attorney can help you with your workplace heavy lifting injury, give us a call at (305) 340-2630 or contact us online. We have offices in Miami and Plantation to serve you. Se habla español.
Common Types of Lifting Injuries
Lifting injuries can vary in severity and location, often impacting the back, neck, shoulders, and joints. Below are some of the most frequent injuries caused by heavy lifting:
- Muscle Strains and Sprains: Sudden or excessive force can overstretch or tear muscles and ligaments, leading to sharp pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.
- Herniated Discs: Overloading the spine can cause the soft cushion between vertebrae to bulge or rupture, leading to severe back pain, numbness, or tingling in the limbs.
- Tendon and Ligament Damage: Repeated stress on tendons or ligaments can cause inflammation, tears, or long-term wear-and-tear injuries.
- Joint Dislocations or Injuries: Improper lifting can result in dislocated shoulders or damage to weight-bearing joints like the knees or hips.
- Chronic Conditions: Prolonged exposure to improper lifting conditions can lead to debilitating conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, or chronic back pain.
The Financial and Emotional Impact of Lifting Injuries
Beyond physical pain, lifting injuries can significantly affect your livelihood. Workers may face:
- Lost Wages: Extended recovery periods may prevent employees from returning to work immediately.
- Medical Expenses: Costs for surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment can quickly add up.
- Emotional Distress: Dealing with pain and limited mobility can lead to anxiety, depression, or frustration.
Who is Responsible?
Preventing lifting injuries is a shared responsibility between employers and employees, and OSHA standards emphasize the importance of creating a safe work environment.
Employer Responsibilities:
Employers are obligated to provide:
- Proper Training: Employees must be trained on safe lifting techniques, including how to assess loads, use proper posture, and avoid unnecessary strain.
- Ergonomic Workspaces: Adjusting workstation designs to reduce strain and incorporating tools or machinery that minimize manual lifting.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Employers should supply equipment like back braces, lifting belts, or padded gloves to enhance safety during lifting tasks.
- Clear Safety Policies: Employers must ensure proper supervision and adherence to safety protocols to minimize risks.
Employee Responsibilities:
Employees also play an active role in injury prevention by:
- Using Proper Lifting Techniques: Bend at the knees, keep the back straight, and use leg muscles to lift objects.
- Utilizing Available Equipment: Tools like dollies or hoists should be used to handle heavy loads.
- Maintaining Personal Awareness: Know your physical limits and seek assistance when needed.
- Reporting Unsafe Conditions: Any workplace hazards or defective equipment should be reported to supervisors immediately.
To find out how an attorney can help you with your workplace heavy lifting injury, give us a call at (305) 340-2630 or contact us online
Common Injuries Resulting from Heavy Lifting
The following types of injuries may be associated with the heavy lifting:
- Back sprains
- Muscle pulls
- Wrist injuries
- Elbow injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Crush injuries caused by dropped objects
What Causes Lifting Injuries?
Heavy lifting does not have to cause physical trauma. There are specific factors that may cause these injuries to occur, including:
- Objects that are simply too heavy for a human to safely lift. Loads heavier than 50 pounds will increase the risk of worker injury.
- Inappropriate lifting posture increases the risk of muscle strain and other injuries.
- Constantly lifting heavy objects or holding heavy objects for extended periods of time.
- Inadequate or inappropriate handholds on objects that need to be lifted. In addition to increasing the risk of lifting injuries, there is an increased risk that a load will be dropped if it does not have proper handholds.
- Inadequate lighting or poor visibility can affect workers’ ability to lift objects. Extreme temperatures, including cold or hot weather, can also affect safe lifting.
HOW TO AVOID LIFTING INJURIES
It is important to avoid lifting injuries at work because they can lead to serious physical and financial consequences. These types of injuries can result in missed days of work, medical bills, and long-term disability. Fortunately, there are steps that employers and employees alike can take to ensure a safe working environment and reduce the risk of lifting injuries.
Here are a few ways you can avoid heavy-lifting injuries:
- Use correct lifting technique: Employers and employees should learn proper lifting techniques, such as keeping the load close to the body and using the legs to lift rather than the back.
- Wear protective gear: Proper footwear with good support and toe protection, knee pads, and gloves can help workers safely handle heavy objects.
- Use assistance when needed: Workers should not attempt to lift heavier items alone. Enlist a partner or use a dolly or some other form of mechanical assistance whenever necessary.
- Keep floors clear of debris: Uncluttered floors reduce tripping hazards that are associated with slipping while carrying heavy objects.
- Take frequent breaks: Breaks give workers time to rest from strenuous activity, so they can continue working safely throughout the day without fatigue-related accidents.
- Provide special training for using equipment safely: Employees need instruction on how to operate any machine that utilizes lifting components. Such machines include forklifts, pallet jacks, and other lifting tools. Properly transporting goods across distances using machinery reduces the risk of injury due to manual handling errors.
By following smart safety practices such as using proper posture when lifting objects, keeping loads within a manageable weight limit, providing adequate lighting for visibility while lifting, and ensuring that objects have enough handholds or grips before carrying them, employers will be able to create safer workplaces for their employees.
GETTING COMPENSATION FOR YOUR HEAVY LIFTING INJURIES
Unfortunately, even the best preparation cannot prevent every incident. In any case, do not try to handle your work injury claim alone. Experienced workers' compensation lawyer in Florida can help ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
Injuries resulting from heavy lifting can cause significant medical bills and lost wages, requiring workers to take time off of work to recover. Fortunately, Florida law provides protections for injured employees who are forced to take time off due to a work-related injury.
At Morales & Cerino, our experienced Hialeah and Miami workers' compensation attorneys are here to help you get the compensation benefits that you deserve for your lifting injuries. Our lawyers will fight for your rights and ensure that your claim is handled properly and efficiently. We have offices in Miami and Plantation to serve you. Se habla español.
If you have experienced any type of lifting injury and want to work with a workers' compensation lawyer who will help you recover the fair, complete benefits you deserve from a lifting injury at work, call (305) 340-2630. We serve Miami-Dade County and all of South Florida. View our case results here.
