Rockford, IL Work-Related Back Injury Lawyers

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Injuries that affect the back or neck can be devastating. When these types of injuries occur in a workplace accident, or when repetitive physical work causes damage to the neck, back, or spine, a person may be eligible to receive workers' compensation benefits. At Newland & Newland, LLP, we help injured workers file workers' compensation claims while making sure they can receive the proper medical treatment and disability benefits.

Back and Neck Injuries Caused by Workplace Accidents

An accident that affects a person while they are at work can cause them to suffer severe damage to the spine. The back and neck may be injured in a wide range of workplace accidents, and the consequences can range from soft tissue injuries to catastrophic spinal cord damage resulting in permanent paralysis.

Falls

Fall accidents are some of the most common causes of serious back and neck injuries in the workplace. A worker who falls from a ladder, scaffold, roof, elevated platform, or stairway may suffer fractured vertebrae, herniated discs, or other spinal cord. Injuries may also occur if a person falls after slipping on a wet floor, tripping over debris, or losing their footing on an uneven surface.

Falling Objects

Workers who are struck by items that fall from upper levels may experience spinal injuries. Construction workers may suffer injuries after being struck by falling tools, construction materials, or debris.

Equipment Accidents

Workers who operate or work near forklifts, cranes, tractors, or other equipment may experience back and neck injuries due to equipment malfunctions or rollovers. In some cases, workers may be caught between a piece of equipment and another object or surface, or they may be caught in moving machinery. These accidents can cause compression or twisting of the back and spine, leading to spinal cord damage or other injuries.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

People who drive during shifts at work may be involved in collisions with other vehicles. The force of impact in a collision can place stress on the neck and back, resulting in injuries such as whiplash, pulled muscles, or herniated discs. Serious spinal cord injuries may also occur, potentially leading to paralysis.

Lifting Accidents

When a worker lifts a heavy load without the proper support, the stress placed on their back spine can cause strained muscles, sprains, or herniated discs. Lifting injuries often affect the lumbar spine in the lower back, and they can result in chronic pain and limitations on performing certain types of work.

Repetitive Motion Leading to Back and Neck Injuries

In some cases, workers may develop serious back and neck conditions gradually through ongoing physical stress over months or years of work. These repetitive motion injuries can result in chronic pain, difficulty performing certain types of movements, or limitations on the types of work a person can perform. When injuries occur because of the work a person has performed, they will be covered by workers' compensation.

Heavy lifting and carrying can place stress on the discs, joints, and other parts of the back and spine. Workers who regularly lift and carry items while working may develop degenerative disc disease or other serious conditions.

People who regularly work in a bent-over position, are required to reach overhead repeatedly, or need to maintain a certain posture may experience chronic muscle fatigue and joint stress in the back and spine. Assembly line workers, dental and surgical professionals, and computer users may experience injuries to their backs because of the work they perform.

Back or neck injuries may also be caused by vibration that is experienced by truck drivers, or operators of construction equipment or forklifts. These constant vibrations can lead to the degeneration of the tissues in the back and spine.

Workers' Compensation Benefits for Back and Neck Injuries

The benefits that a person can receive when they have experienced back, neck, or spine injuries at work may address their medical needs and the loss of wages due to an injury. Medical benefits will cover all treatment that is needed for a neck or back injury, including diagnostic tests like MRIs and CT scans, pain management medications or therapies, physical therapy, and spinal surgery. Post-surgical rehabilitation and assistive devices or equipment will also be covered.

When a back or neck injury prevents a worker from performing their job duties, they may receive temporary total disability (TTD) benefits or temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits. They will receive a portion of the wages they lost during their recovery. In cases where back and neck injuries result in ongoing impairments, workers may receive permanent partial disability (PPD) or permanent total disability (PTD) benefits.

Workplace Back and Neck Injury FAQs

Contact Our Rockford Workplace Back and Neck Injury Attorneys

A serious injury affecting your neck or back can have a huge impact on your life. It could lead to ongoing pain and financial hardship, or it could even end your career. When an injury occurred in an accident at work or because of your work-related activities, you can take steps to obtain benefits through workers' compensation. At Newland & Newland, LLP, we can assist with your claim and help you get the full benefits you need and deserve. Contact our Rockford, IL workplace spine injury lawyers at 847-797-8000 to schedule a free consultation today.