Back Injury at Work

It is becoming quite common for employees to suffer back injuries at work. Back injuries at work are mostly caused by moving heavy object or lifting heavy loads. As an employee, it is your right to expect your employer to protect your health whilst at work and provide protection from risks that could result in injuries.

Your employer must ensure that you have received adequate training if you are required to perform manual handling or heavy lifting tasks. In addition, you must be provided with the right equipment and you must be trained on how to use the equipment safely. Your working environment must also be free of slips and trips hazards because back injuries are also commonly caused by slips, trips and falls. If your employer fails to do so, he is putting you at a risk of sustaining back injury which can cause significant pain and discomfort to you. This could also give you grounds for making injury at work claims.

Back injuries can limit movement and for most people, this can change their life significantly. For this reason, any person who has suffered back injury at work due to their employer's negligence may be entitled to make a work injury claim.

Back injuries can cause different types of pain which can be short term or chronic. The severity of the injury can range from torn ligaments, soft tissue damage and pulled muscles to severe spinal injuries and prolapsed discs. They can cause huge amounts of pain, affect mobility and even cause paralysis.

There are a number of other causes of back injuries which can give rise to potential injury at work claims. These include:

- frequent carrying of objects 
- poor supervision 
- poorly maintained or designed manual equipment 
- use of heavy machinery 
- insufficient breaks 
- bad posture 
- poorly designed office chairs 
- prolonged periods of repetitive or physical activity without adequate breaks

If you sustained injuries to you back as a direct result of your employer's negligence, you may have a work injury claim for compensation. But, before you take any step towards making a work injury claim, you must discuss your options with an independent work injury lawyer. You must get medical reports to document your injury and obtain other evidences to support your work injury claim.