What To Do After a Heavy Lifting Work Accident

safety awareness for Heavy Lifting Work Accident

You’ve been trained, given guidelines, and always lift with your knees, but yet an accident still happened. If you have a job that requires heavy lifting, even the most highly trained employee can still endure an injury.

While regular heaving lifting doesn’t seem like something to worry about, it’s important to know what to do if you suffer a workplace injury. If a workplace injury does occur, call on Hoffman Law Firm to provide experienced legal help and navigate your workers’ compensation benefits.

6 Types of Heavy Lifting Work Accident Injuries

When heavy lifting, there are a few different types of injuries that can occur. While some are more minor than others, it’s important to be aware of what could happen and what your rights are as an employee.

Hand injuries: Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling heavy objects with your hands are all considered dangerous tasks. Be careful when putting down heavy objects, picking up a heavy load, or handling a load that may be hot.
Sprains and strains: It’s common for sprains and strains to occur when handling heavy loads. These injuries typically occur after a heavy object has been lifted and once the muscle has been overstretched or overworked. Sprains and strains can result in pain, swelling, or bruising, and most often occur in the back, arms, and shoulders.
Back injuries: We all know the saying, “Lift with your legs, not your back.” This phrase is a quick reminder of how to properly lift a heavy load and protect your back. Even with a quippy saying, back injuries are common with jobs that require constant heavy lifting. Twisting, stooping, and poor posture can result in your back being more susceptible to an injury.
Foot injuries: While lifting itself doesn’t necessarily cause a foot injury, dropping a heavy load while carrying can cause a foot injury. Proper footwear in the workplace can help reduce the risk of foot injuries.
Musculoskeletal disorders: Musculoskeletal disorders can occur in any part of a body where a muscle, joint, or certain part of a body is overused, overstretched, or improperly worked overtime. A musculoskeletal disorder results in a variety of chronic symptoms that require diagnosis and treatment.
Trips and falls: Trips and falls are common workplace injuries that can occur whether or not you’re lifting or carrying heavy loads. Carrying heavy loads can increase the risk of a trip or fall as they can obstruct your visibility as you walk, keeping you from seeing obstacles in your way.

Prevention

Prevention is the key to avoiding workplace injuries. To help lower the risk of injuries, follow OSHA guidelines for proper equipment use and smart lifting practices. Those practices include:

Lifting from the “power zone” – the area from the middle of your thigh to the middle of your chest
Keeping a straight spine while lifting from the knees
Carry items as close to your body as possible
Refraining from twisting when lifting
Working in teams
Taking regular breaks to rest

What To Do If You Get Injured at Work

Firstly, as soon as an injury occurs in the workplace, it’s important to notify your supervisor immediately to report the incident.

Next, if there was anyone else present during the incident ask for them to provide a statement in the incident report. Failing to report the incident right away may result in the denial of a workers’ compensation claim.

Lastly, be sure to visit a doctor on your employee’s panel of physicians to get your injury checked out and help you receive the proper workers’ compensation benefits.

Need a Skilled Workers’ Comp Lawyer, Contact Hoffman Law Firm!

Heavy lifting at work can seem harmless if you are doing a simple task, such as moving a package from one place to another, however, there can be serious consequences if not done safely. If you are considering filing a case due to a heavy lifting accident at your place of work, our personal injury lawyers will be glad to help.

Our personal injury lawyers here at Hoffman Law Firm have extensive experience handling a wide variety of cases. We have established a reputation for success, as well as great service! To meet with a member of our team, schedule your free consultation today. Hoffman Law Firm is here to help!

Located in Charleston, SC, we support accident victims throughout the Palmetto State.

Our personal injury law firm offers trusted legal representation in a wide variety of cases here in the Lowcountry, including:

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