If you have been injured at work due to overexertion, you should be receiving treatment for all of your injuries.
Overexertion is the second leading cause of workplace injuries and accidents in the U.S. Overexertion injuries result in pulled muscles, back pain and can create several different health problems because the body cannot handle the additional physical or emotional pressure. As a result, these injuries cost more than $15 billion a year in workers’ compensation costs.
If you have been injured at work due to overexertion, you should be receiving treatment for all of your injuries. Do not let the insurance carrier deny you benefits. The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann can help you prove that your injuries are work-related.
What is Workplace Overexertion?
Overexertion in the workplace occurs when a worker becomes too tired to do their job. It is an event or an exposure that leads to an injury due to excessive physical effort such as pulling, lifting, turning, holding, throwing, or carrying.
Overexertion is a type of fatigue and can increase until it becomes distressing and eventually debilitating. According to OSHA, fatigue symptoms can be both mental and physical and vary and depend on the person and their degree of overexertion. Some symptoms of fatigue include:
- Sleepiness
- Weariness
- Irritability
- Lack of motivation
- Reduced alertness and lack of concentration
- Depression
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite and digestive problems
Injuries Due to Workplace Overexertion
Several injuries can arise due to workplace overexertion from lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, holding, and more. Some of the most common injuries associated with overexertion include:
- Muscle strains – Pulled muscles are common when a person overexerts themselves while performing a task. Muscle strains may not seem like a serious injury. However, they can often prevent a worker from being able to perform their job. When a worker tries to push through the pain, it can lead to other more serious injuries.
- Back Injuries – This is one of the most common injuries associated with overexertion. Back injuries can range from mild to severe, such as mild strains to spinal cord injuries. These injuries can require time off from work, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.
- Neck injuries – This is a sensitive area of the body that can be seriously affected by overexertion. They can range from mild to severe.
- Joint, tendon, and connective tissue injuries – These parts of the body are intricately involved in the act of pushing, lifting, holding, pulling, and carrying. Overexertion in these essential parts of the body can cause tears, dislocation, inflammation, and much more.
How to Prove Your Injury is Work-Related
As the second leading cause of workplace injury, you would think it would be easy to prove your workplace overexertion injury. However, workers’ compensation is often not something you simply file for and receive. Many times you have to take an active role in getting access to your rights. There are many things you need to understand in the process.
If you have been injured on the job due to overexertion, it is important to document everything yourself, right from the start! If you are injured at work, it is important to follow these steps:
- Notify your employer/supervisor
- Seek immediate medical attention
- File the appropriate paperwork
- Contact an injured at work lawyer