New York Occupational Spinal Injury Attorneys

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, work-related back injuries and musculoskeletal disorders are not uncommon. In 2016, spine injuries accounted for 38.5 percent of all musculoskeletal injuries on the job. Jobs with the greatest number of injuries were nursing assistants, stock clerks, laborers, and material movers. In these professions, spine injuries were the greatest number of musculoskeletal injuries that occurred.

Most people recover well from a spine injury using physical therapy and rehabilitation. It is essential to address the underlying issues that triggered the condition. This helps ensure that the condition does not become chronic and plague you for months or years.

If you were injured at work, you might be entitled to compensation. New York law says that all businesses in New York state must have workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. This includes part-time employees as well. To get their business permit, business owners must show proof of a policy. You can search for your employer’s coverage on the New York State website.

The attorneys at Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C. are experienced New York workers’ compensation attorneys. Our compassionate legal team listens to your needs and handles every aspect of the claims and appeals process. We have experience holding employers and insurers accountable for their workers’ injuries. Contact our office today at 516-496-0400 or use our online form for your free, confidential consultation.

What Is an Occupational Spinal Injury?

Workplace back injuries can be triggered by heavy lifting, repetitive movements, or even sitting at a desk all day. Each of these activities can place additional stress on your back and increase the risk that you will experience a musculoskeletal injury. Several factors contribute to back pain.

• This is the amount of gravitational and weight force placed on your back. Twisting or moving heavy objects or sitting at a desk all day with poor posture are examples.
• Certain motions that are repeated frequently can injure your back muscles. For example, those that involve rotating your spine or twisting repetitively during the day can result in muscle strain.
• While you might not think that you can get injured by just sitting, an inactive desk job can contribute to back pain. This is especially true if you use poor posture or sit in a chair with inadequate back support.
• There are 33 individual bones in your back. By the time you reach adulthood, some of them at the bottom of the spine fuse, leaving you with 24 vertebrae. Each of these has several joints or facets. These joints allow you to move your trunk in each direction, as well as twist and turn. However, the joints also make it easy to fall out of proper posture and place additional stress on your lower back.

Types of Spinal Injury

Globally, lower back pain is the most common cause of living with a disability. The most common types of spine injuries are strains and sprains. A back strain occurs when the muscles or tendons experience a force that causes slight tearing. The microtears can trigger small amounts of bleeding, which in turn triggers swelling, muscle spasms, and pain.

Strains are often the result of poor body mechanics and sudden jerky movements. You also may suffer from a sprain, which is an excessively stretched ligament. This is painful and may result in swelling. People who engage in quick and rigorous activity without first warming up are more likely to develop a sprain. It can also happen from improperly lifting heavy objects.

There are several causes for lower back pain, which is the most common type of diagnosed back pain, including:

• Compression fracture
• Degenerative disc disease
• Deformity
• Facet joint dysfunction
• Lumbar herniated disc
• Osteoarthritis
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Trauma

Possible Treatments for a Spine Injury

Several factors can impact occupational spine injuries. Some of these you can control yourself. For example, obesity and poor physical conditioning can contribute to back pain. Poor body mechanics and a lack of proper equipment at work will also contribute.

There are several ways of treating back pain without surgery. The most important factor is to start treatment early. Many of the treatments can be tailored to your individual needs and administered at home. While physicians used to recommend long periods of rest, data show that this can increase the pain response.

Instead, doctors often recommend briefly avoiding strenuous activity and not resting for more than one or two days. Your body was designed for movement. Without movement, blood supply to the area is reduced, thus making it more difficult to heal.

You should also avoid activities and positions that are painful. For example, if you are in greater pain while sitting, set a timer to be sure you get up and walk or gently stretch every 20 minutes. Treating the area by alternating heat with ice is especially helpful to increasing blood flow, which brings nutrients and oxygen to healing muscles.

Some people also find relief with over-the-counter pain medications. While these may help alleviate the initial pain, it is important to limit use since they also have side effects.

After several days, you may benefit from physical therapy exercises to rehabilitate the area and ensure that you are using your muscles appropriately. Physical therapy will include stretching and strengthening exercises to bring low back pain relief.

If non-surgical treatments are not successful, your physician may consider spinal surgery, depending on the type of injury you have. These procedures are complex and often require lengthy rehabilitation to recover.

How Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C. Can Help

Occupational spinal injuries are more common in some industries than others. If you get hurt on the job, you need to file a workers’ compensation claim to receive benefits. This is an insurance policy your employer must carry to protect their workers. You may be eligible to receive benefits to cover your medical expenses and to replace your wages while you are off work.

The legal team of Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C. has years of experience helping clients receive the benefits they are due after an injury on the job. We can help determine whether you are eligible for disability or other additional benefits, such as vocational rehabilitation. During your free consultation, we will discuss your case and help you take the next best step.

It is important to remember that there are strict deadlines for workers’ compensation benefits claims. Don’t hesitate to contact our team today at 516-496-0400 or use our online form to schedule your free, confidential consultation.