Causes of back injuries in the workplace range from slip and falls, car crashes, incidents involving falling or heavy objects, overexertion, and repetitive movements. If you hurt your back at work, South Carolina law may give you an opportunity to seek damages by filing a job-injury claim. Your settlement package may include coverage of your accident-related medical expenses and lost wages while you recover.
The advocates at Williams & Roche, LLC have over 50 years of combined legal experience championing the rights of injured workers in South Carolina. We know how challenging it can be to try to physically and mentally recover from a job accident while also trying to navigate the complex workers’ comp system. We seek to make your life easier by taking over your legal matters so you can focus on what matters most to you.
How Common Are Back Injuries for Workers in Different Industries?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, those employed at residential care facilities and nursing homes had the highest incidents of nonfatal injuries and illnesses in South Carolina’s workplaces. Workers in these positions may end up getting a back injury at work from trying to lift, rotate, or support patients in their care.
Law enforcement officers and those who work in educational settings also reported a higher incidence of work injuries compared to other industries in South Carolina. Police officers may hurt their backs while trying to arrest somebody or because of a job-related collision.
Likewise, educators may tweak their backs while lifting heavy objects or because they have to repeatedly move their bodies — such as bending down to pick something up — each day.
Situations Where People May Hurt Their Backs at Work
Workers may hurt their backs in many different contexts. Common sources of back injuries include people having to lift heavy objects or having something fall on them. Additionally, car crashes, slip and falls, and overexertion can also cause someone to harm their back.
Heavy Lifting: A Leading Cause of Workplace Back Injuries
Lifting heavy objects is a common way that workers injure their backs. The weight of the object may cause them to strain their lower back while they try to pick it up or move it. Or, workers may tweak their backs because they do not have the proper training in how to lift an object without hurting themselves.
Repetitive Motion and Back Strain in the Workplace
Workers who have to do repeated motions — such as bending, lifting, and twisting — place added strain on their bodies. As a result, they may wear out the muscles in their backs and have to take time off work to recover.
Slip and Fall Accidents and Their Impact on Workers’ Backs
Another source of back injuries in the workplace is slipping and falling. This is a common type of accident in many different workplaces including nursing, education, construction, and manufacturing. Workers may hurt their backs while trying to catch themselves during the fall or because they hit something when they fall.
Vehicle Accidents and the Risk of Back Injuries for Workers
Car accidents and collisions involving heavy machinery also cause a high number of employment-related injuries each year. Employees might get into collisions while traveling between job sites or while at their workplace. The force of the accident may injure someone’s spine or cause them to pull a muscle in their back.
Falling Objects and Back Injuries
Workers can encounter a falling object — such as inventory falling off a shelf — and get hurt in the process. The object may strike the employee directly, causing an injury. Or, the person may hurt themselves by trying to catch or avoid getting hit by the object. Falling objects have a high risk of causing serious injury, especially if the object is coming from a high place or is heavy.
Overexertion and How It Causes Back Injuries on the Job
Each body has its own limits in terms of how long it can work and how much force and strain it can handle. Many workers are in positions where they need to repeatedly lift heavy objects or push themselves to do activities beyond their limits. As a result, they may overexert themselves and end up throwing out their back. These injuries can take days or weeks to recover from, which places added physical and financial strain on the employee.
When To File a Workers’ Compensation Claim for a Back Injury
According to South Carolina law, you should file an accident report shortly after hurting your back at work or realizing that your back injury is related to your job. You should try to send this notice to your employer within 90 days after the work incident or from when you discover the work-related condition.
Once you file this initial report, you also need to submit paperwork to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. The law gives you about two years to file these documents; however, the start date for this two-year filing deadline depends on your unique situation. An attorney can help you determine what your deadlines are.
How a Lawyer Can Help
It can be challenging to experience a work injury while also trying to navigate the physical, financial, and legal aspects of the situation.
Partnering with a reliable attorney can help give you peace of mind during this time. They can first assist you by gathering information about the work accident and how it has impacted you. Then, they can use these details and their understanding of the law to initiate a claim with the Workers’ Compensation Commission. They can help you fight for the maximum benefits under the law.
Injured Your Back at Work? Contact the Workers’ Comp Attorneys at Williams & Roche, LLC Today
Back injuries can greatly impact many areas of your life and your ability to perform different tasks. Because of this, even a seemingly minor incident can keep you from being or feeling like yourself or going to work. The law may entitle you to receive fault-free benefits so you can have the necessary financial support while you heal.
The team at Williams & Roche, LLC, has helped hundreds of clients recover compensation when they suffered from many different causes of back injuries in the workplace. We welcome the opportunity to see what our knowledgeable advocates can do for you. Get in touch with us today by calling 803.784.0503 to schedule an initial consultation.
