Pulling Injuries at Work
Does your job involve the movement of heavy or unwieldy objects?
For a number of employees, the potential for injury at the workplace is part of their job description. Construction, nursing, and serving in a restaurant are all positions that require active movement and physical labor. When pursuing a career in these industries, the potential for a work-related pulling injury is higher. Often, employees understand that this is a risk of their job, but that does not make them less entitled to workers’ compensation if an injury does occur.
Addressing Common Work Injuries
Of course, employers know these risks too and places of employment take precautions in training and hiring to prevent frequent injuries. Companies that have involve known risks or repetitive motion, typically train employees on best practices and proper technique to avoid injury.
Yet, in any workplace it is impossible to entirely eliminate the possibility that employees could be hurt on the job. The Law Office of Albert J. Talone represents individuals in workers’ compensation claims that work in a number of physically demanding industries.
Identifying the Pain in a Pulling Injury
Together with pushing and lifting injuries, pulling injuries represent the most common way employees are hurt at work. Not only are these common actions and tasks to accomplish at the work place, but pulling can injury a number of different body parts. Injury or lasting soreness from excessive or repetitive pulling can result in injury to the:
- back
- neck
- shoulders
- knees
- arms, or
- joints.
Some employees may experience injury or pain from a single incident or action while at work. This can involve twisting, turning, or slipping, while engaged in pulling a heavy object. Yet, an isolated incident accounts for very few pulling injuries under workers’ compensation. In many instances, injuries from pulling are due to repetitive motion and actions. This is known as repetitive strain.
Understanding When Workers’ Compensation is Available
Injuries that arise from repetitive strain are covered by workers’ compensation in New Jersey. This is true even if the employee knew about the risk of pulling injuries and if the employee had a preexisting condition that was exacerbated by pulling objects at work.
However, it can be more difficult to provide evidence of the injury and meet timeframes imposed by workers’ compensation law. As well, employers and insurance companies are more likely to closely investigate and reject workers’ compensation claims based on repetitive strain.
This makes it even more important for employees to document and report injuries that result from pulling. An employee will want to have written documentation of:
- history of pulling activities at work
- report on date, time, and place injury first noted
- medical history
- notification of the injury to his or her employer, and
- report from medical professional regarding injury.
Contact a Lawyer
Albert J. Talone has previously represented clients in New Jersey who were injured by a single event or over time from pulling objects at work. If pulling an object at work injured your back, neck, other muscles or joint, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under New Jersey law. The Law Office of Albert J. Talone offers a free, initial consultation when you call (856)-234-4023.