Top Five Causes Of Work-Related Neck Injuries

Largely because either a trauma injury or repetitive stress injury could cause them, neck injuries are one of the leading causes of sick days and workers’ compensation claims in Mississippi. Falls and motor vehicle crashes are the most common causes of trauma-related neck problems. As for repetitive stress, almost any movement which is repeated over and over, such as looking down, looking up, or sitting, can eventually cause a neck injury.

Regardless of the underlying issue, a Jackson workers’ compensation lawyer can obtain no-fault benefits which make up for lost wages and take care of medical bills. Technically, you do not need a lawyer to obtain these benefits. But the average settlement amount increases significantly if you have an attorney advocating for you. So, if you go it on your own, there’s a good chance you will have to settle for less.

Car Crashes

The violent motion in a vehicle collision usually causes whiplash. Doctors cannot detect this serious neck injury using X-Rays, MRIs, or other traditional diagnostic tools. If not promptly and properly treated, whiplash can cause paralysis. So, early intervention is essential. Fortunately, Mississippi job injury victims can choose their own doctors. Therefore, a lawyer can arrange for victims to get the care they need when they need it.

Falls

Similarly, the motion of a fall, as opposed to the trauma impact, often causes a neck injury. The ligaments, muscles, and tendons in the neck are not very strong. It’s easy to stretch or break them. A fall’s motion could cause just such an injury. Nerve, muscle, and other such injuries usually require delicate surgical correction.

Overuse and Stress

We put these two causes together because they usually go together. Spending long hours at the computer while worrying about a deadline is the classic example. If your sitting or typing posture is marginally incorrect, these neck injuries are usually worse. If a pre-existing or non-work condition exacerbates a work injury, full compensation is usually available.

Pinched Nerves

Sudden trauma or repetitive stress could cause these injuries. Sometimes, the motion in a fall or car crash knocks the bones and nerves out of alignment. So, a bone presses on a nerve, causing intense pain. Sometimes, physical therapy can put things back in the right place, but most of these victims need surgery. Other times, hernias develop, causing pain and perhaps paralysis. Even if the person’s job did not cause the entire injury, full compensation is usually available.

Serious Illness

Frequently, neck pain is a symptom as opposed to an injury. Toxic exposure cancer is a good example. These victims often experience neck pain, as well as pain in other parts of their bodies. The discovery rule usually applies in these cases. So, if you initially file a workers’ comp claim because of neck pain and the doctor discovers another problem, you are still covered.

Count on a Diligent Attorney

Neck pain could present in several different ways. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Jackson, contact Lunsford, Baskin & Priebe, PLLC. Home, virtual, and hospital visits are available.

Resource:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19135016/