Did you suffer a serious back injury while working on a construction jobsite?
If so, it is imperative that you act quickly and
contact a NYC construction accident lawyer at Lurie, Ilchert, MacDonnell & Ryan LLP.
Handling Back Injuries from a Construction Accident
Although construction workers are susceptible to a wide array of injuries,
due mainly to the fact that they are expected to work under such hazardous
conditions, back injuries have grown to be the most common. According to the
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), back injuries account for roughly 24% of all work-related injuries.
Although this number has been greatly reduced over the last decade, construction
workers across the country are still at risk. There has been more of an
emphasis on implementing preventative measures and pushing for more comprehensive
safety training in the construction industry, but these efforts simply
aren't enough to keep all workers safe from injury.
Facts About Back Injuries
As such, it still remains that nearly 222,300 work-related back injuries
are suffered each and every year—according to the U.S. Department
of Labor-Bureau of Labor Statistics. For this reason, the New York City
construction accident attorneys at Lurie, Ilchert, MacDonnell & Ryan
LLP would like to call attention to the ways in which you can recover
compensation after sustaining such an injury. In most cases, a back injury
will leave you unable to return to work for a period of time, so we would
like to ensure that you are able to manage the cost of your medical treatment
and rehabilitation as comfortably as possible. This can be done through
the means of workers' compensation, but it is also important to understand
that you possess rights under
Labor Laws 240 and 241 in the event that you are wrongfully injured.
If you have suffered a back injury from a construction accident, speak with the
NYC personal injury attorneys!
How are back injuries most commonly sustained in the workplace?
According to statistics, most back injuries are caused by repetitive use
and over-exertion (62%). This is often true of construction workers, as
many are expected to perform the same duties day-in and day-out. Not only
can this put consistent strain on the lower back, but it can lead to a
higher risk of injury in the event of a low-impact accident. Additionally,
a substantial number of back injuries are caused by slip and fall incidents
(23%). Even if the fall was from ground-level, it is fairly easy to damage
this part of the body upon impact. Some other common causes may include:
- Using an improper lifting technique
- Repeatedly twisting, bending or stretching the back
- Maintaining an unnatural / slouched posture
- Remaining in an awkward position for too long
- Falling from a substantial height
- Consistently straining this area of the body
- Suffering an impact to the lower back
Tips for Preventing a Serious Back Injury
If you are currently employed in the construction industry, you are at
risk of suffering a lower back injury. For this reason, we encourage you
to learn more about the ways in which you can prevent repetitive-use strain.
To start, it is important that you practice safe lifting techniques—as
this is by far the most common cause of lower back injury.
This includes:
- Bending your knees
- Securing a firm grip
- Lifting slowly
- Keeping your body in a front-facing position
Twisting or jerking during this process could put serious stress on your
back, so you should always make sure to take your time. Additionally,
it may be a good idea to utilize a dolly and/or place objects on an elevated
surface to eliminate unnecessary strain. Under more general circumstances,
however, you should not hesitate to stretch and regularly rest your body
before pushing yourself too far.
We are available 24/7
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured, contact us immediately!
Fill Out Our Free Consultation Form
Contact a New York City Construction Accident Attorney Today
Recovering compensation may be a necessary step in the process of your
recovery, so we would like to ensure that you are able to obtain the amount
of money that you deserve. In order for us to do so, however, we need
you to take the first step. All you have to do to get started is pick
up the phone and call our office at (646) 461-4009 for a
free initial consultation. From there, we can discuss the specific nature of your injury and figure
out the most practical way in which to proceed. For this reason, we encourage
you to let us put our three decades of experience to work for you as soon
as possible by contacting our dedicated legal team today.