Neck Injuries At Work
Did you recently suffer a neck injury at work as a result of an accident or due to overuse or repetitive motion? You are likely not alone. While neck injuries can be extremely serious, they also happen more often than you might expect, and they can range significantly in terms of severity. Like certain other types of injuries, neck injuries can also occur in a range of industries and professions, from white-collar work to labor required for construction. If you sustained a debilitating neck injury at work that requires medical care and limits your ability to work, you may be able to seek compensation through the Florida workers’ compensation system. One of our experienced Sunrise workers’ compensation attorneys can provide you with more information.
What is a Neck Injury?
The term “neck injury” is very broad, and it encompasses many different types of injuries or harm that a person can experience at work. According to MedlinePlus, “any part of your neck — muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, or nerves — can cause neck problems,” and “pain may also come from your shoulder, jaw, head, or upper arms.”
Neck injuries can take many different forms. In some cases, they result from accidents, such as falls at work or motor vehicle crashes. Whiplash is one specific type of neck injury that occurs frequently in rear-end collisions. In other cases, neck injuries can result from repetitive movements or overuse, “such as from sitting at a computer for too long,” according to MedlinePlus. Indeed, according to the Mayo Clinic, poor posture in various types of work environments can cause neck injuries and neck pain, “whether from leaning over a computer or hunching over a workbench.”
How to Avoid Neck Pain at Work
What can you do to avoid a neck injury at work caused by overuse? The Mayo Clinic recommends:
- Use good posture;
- Take breaks and stretch your neck and shoulders;
- Use the armrests on your chair; and
- Do not carry heavy bags or heavy objects.
What to Do If You Have a Neck Injury from Work
Whether you were involved in an accident at work or you have sustained a neck injury because of repetitive motion or overuse, you could be eligible to seek workers’ compensation coverage. What steps do you need to take? Consider the following:
- As soon as possible, but at the latest within 30 days of sustaining the injury or receiving a diagnosis of an overuse injury from your doctor, report the injury to your employer;
- See a doctor as soon as possible who is an approved provider; and
- Get in touch with a lawyer who can help with your claim.
Contact a Sunrise Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Did you recently sustain a neck injury in a work-related accident? Or were you recently diagnosed with a neck injury or neck condition that was caused or exacerbated by your work? You may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits and should speak with an experienced Sunrise workers’ compensation attorney at the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. as soon as possible. Our firm can help you to seek the workers’ compensation coverage you need after a serious injury.
Sources:
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neck-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20375581
medlineplus.gov/neckinjuriesanddisorders.html
