WHAT’S THE MOST COMMON WORKER INJURY?

The most common workplace injury, according to some studies, is not one that pops into mind — overexertion.

Overexertion is usually the result of a worker doing the right thing – working really hard. Except, when you hurt yourself working too hard, it’s bad for everyone.

Causes of Overexertion

Overexertion happens when the load exceeds the limits of the human joint system doing the work.

Strains and sprains caused by overexertion can happen in almost any kind of physical work: pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, bending, stooping, twisting, reaching, climbing, moving things around.

Overexertion can also be repetitive motion injury. You can hurt yourself badly working in an office or at a cash register; carpal tunnel is really overexertion of the hands, wrists and forearms.

Overexertion can also result from passive activities, like driving a truck or working at an un-ergonomic workstation.

You may get away with this level of work for a while – longer if you are young and healthy – but eventually it catches up with you.

Painful and Expensive

The problem is that overexertion injuries are not only typical – 3.5 million cases every year — they’re also costly to treat. A wrist injury averages $13,000 to treat. Back injuries average $23,000.

When you are injured on the job from working too hard, or with the wrong kind of ergonomic support, workman’s compensation is there for you. Working with injured workers is what we at The Law Office of David Hunt are all about.