October 3, 2024 | Accidents

Going to work can be mundane. That is until an accident occurs. Then our lives are turned upside down. For some workplace accidents can result in injuries with life-altering consequences. Neck injuries are a common workplace injury. They range from mild to severe injuries with life-altering consequences. Below, we take a look at causes of neck injuries in the workplace and their long-term impact.

Causes of Neck Pain and Neck Injuries in The Workplace

Neck pain and neck injuries can occur as a result of various causes in the work environment. Below are some of the most common causes.

1. Slip, trips and falls

Accident falls are one of the most common workplace accidents. They are also one of the most common causes for neck pain and injuries in the work environment. These accidents include falling off a ladder, falling from height, slipping on a wet floor, tripping on cables and more. These accidents can result in serious neck injuries including muscle strains, cervical fractures and whiplash.

2. Lifting and carrying heavy objects

Carrying or lifting heavy objects requires proper technique and equipment. Poor technique and lack of equipment can put a strain on the back and neck. It can result in injuries such as herniated discs, muscle strains and nerve damage. These can result in chronic pain and even numbness.

3. Vehicle accidents

Some workers such as delivery drivers and truck drivers spend hours driving. These workers are at risk of suffering neck injuries in motor vehicle accidents. The impact of a collision can results in injuries such as whiplash, cervical fractures and muscle strains.

4. Poor ergonomics and repetitive motions

Office workers can suffer neck strains and sprains as a result of poor ergonomic setup. For example, workers that spend hours sitting at a computer may suffer neck strain due to poorly positioned computer screens. Workers may also suffer neck injuries due to repetitive motions. These micro-injuries build up and cause stiffness and chronic pain.

5. Falling objects

Neck injuries may also occur as a result of being hit by a falling object. Workers in environments such as construction sites and warehouses are at high risk of suffering these types of injuries.

Long Term Health Impact of Neck Injuries

Work-related neck injuries can have a long-term health impact on the worker. Some long-term effects of neck injuries include:

1. Chronic pain – many people that suffer neck injuries suffer from ongoing neck pain. Chronic neck pain can make it difficult to perform daily tasks or to return to work.
2. Limited mobility – neck injuries involving damage to the cervical spine or soft tissues in the neck can result in stiffness and loss of range of motion in the neck. When this happens, the worker is unable to perform physical activities. They may not be able to return to work, especially jobs involving tasks such as driving or lifting heavy objects.
3. Nerve damage – severe neck injuries can result in pinched nerves. This can cause pain, tingling and numbness that extends to the arms and hands. In some extreme cases, the nerve damage is permanent and can result in disability.
4. Headaches and migraines – chronic neck pain can trigger frequent headaches or migraines. This can diminish the worker’s quality of life or interfere with their ability to work.
5. Treatment and rehabilitation – some neck injuries such as fractures and herniated discs may require long term treatment including multiple surgeries. Recovery is often long and often involving months of physical therapy.

Financial Impact of Neck Injuries

Neck injuries can place a significant financial strain on the injured worker and their loved ones. They may face:

1. Hefty medical bills

Treating a neck injury can prove to be expensive. You may require ongoing physical therapy, prescriptions, medications and even surgery. The medications and follow-up care can also prove to be expensive.

2. Lost wages and lost capacity to earn

Neck injuries may prevent you from returning to work for an extended period. In severe cases, you may never be able to return to work or work at all. The loss of income can be straining on your family’s finances.

Contact High & Younes Attorneys LLC

If you’ve suffered a neck injury, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our law firm, High & Younes, LLC, to schedule free consultation. Here’s how we can help.

• Expert legal guidance – receive guidance and representation from attorneys with years of experience handling worker’s compensation cases.
• Maximizing compensation – our team will fight to ensure you receive maximum compensation. We will also explore all avenues for recovering compensation including fling third-party claims where possible
• Navigating complex legal systems – workers’ compensation laws can be complex. It can be difficult navigating the claims process. You can rely on our expert team to handle every aspect of your case. You can focus on your recovery.

Get in touch with us now and schedule your free consultation. We’ll be glad to help.

Neck Pain from a Work Accident