Common Causes of On-the-Job Neck Injuries
Neck pain is a chronic issue for many employees, regardless of industry. Neck injuries are tied to a wide range of causes, including those that may not show up for weeks, months, or even years.
Regardless of whether your injury was caused by a one-time accident or a buildup of repetitive work tasks, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. It’s important to report your injuries promptly to your employer and pursue a workers’ comp in a timely manner. For more personalized help with your on-the-job injuries, call Reeves & Mestayer at 228-374-5151.
Car Crashes
Car accidents are an extremely common cause of all neck injuries, not just workplace injuries. The amount of force involved in a car accident can cause you to jolt forward, placing enormous pressure on your neck and spinal cord. Depending on the type of crash and how fast you were driving, you could suffer whiplash or more extensive neck injuries. Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness or faint spells, and neck stiffness. This is why it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident—even if symptoms don’t occur for hours, you can get injuries diagnosed promptly and begin treatment.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are another common source of neck injuries. Even if you slip and catch yourself, you could still sustain an injury. When you slip, your muscles tense in anticipation of a fall. When you don’t fall, that muscle tension can still leave you with significant neck pain. If you do fall, you may suffer vertebral fractures, whiplash, or spinal cord damage. Falls should be immediately reported to management, and you should get medical care right away.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Stress injuries occur in many industries, primarily affecting those who perform the same work tasks every day. Consider, for example, an office worker. They may answer the phone forty times per day. To save time, they hold the phone in the crook of their neck while typing. Doing that same motion every day on the same side of your neck can lead to pinched nerves and chronic pain.
For those in more physical jobs, lifting or reaching overhead can also put strain on your neck. Unfortunately, these injuries can be more difficult to trace back to your work, since they tend to build up over a period of months or years. Rather than ignoring the initial signs of a neck injury, get prompt treatment and report the issue to management.
Poor Posture
Poor posture is a problem that plagues millions of Americans and it’s nearly impossible to fix without constant vigilance. No matter which industry you work in, your posture could be setting you up for chronic neck pain. If you sit at a desk for work, leaning forward or hunching your shoulders puts a lot of force on your neck. The same is true for those who lift without using safe lifting techniques or those who stand at a manufacturing line all day. Many companies now automate these tasks whenever possible or allow employees to use ergonomic equipment.
Falling Objects
Falling objects can leave employees with head and neck injuries. These injuries are especially common in retail settings, warehouses, and construction sites.
If you are hurt while working, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation to cover your medical expenses and part of your lost wages. If another party is involved in your accident, you may also be able to pursue a third-party claim.
For example, if you sustained a neck injury in a car accident caused by another driver, you may have a valid personal injury claim if the other driver is not employed by your company. To discuss your case in greater detail and figure out which options suit you, it is important to talk to an attorney with extensive experience in workers’ compensation cases and personal injury claims.
Discuss Your Workplace Injury with Reeves & Mestayer
At Reeves & Mestayer, we understand the stress that comes with workplace accidents. Not only do you have to worry about the cost of medical care; you may also suddenly find yourself without income. We’ll help you fight for the compensation you are due. Take the first step now by calling us at 228-374-5151 or contacting our team online.