Common Wear and Tear Injuries in the Workplace

When people think of workplace injuries, they tend to imagine machine accidents, car crashes, and other one-time incidents with immediately identifiable injuries. However, a lot of workplace injuries fall into a different category: wear and tear injuries.

These types of injuries build up over time and often aren’t identified until they reach a certain threshold of pain. Unfortunately, this also means it’s harder to prove that a wear and tear injury is work-related.

Learn more about the common wear and tear injuries, and when you’re ready to talk about your workers’ compensation claim with our team, call Thiry & Caddell at 251-478-8880.

Wrist and Hand Injuries

Wrist and hand injuries are quite common among those who work in clerical or office jobs. The amount of time spent typing, writing, and sorting can put significant strain on the wrists. Some of the injuries that may occur include carpal tunnel syndrome and De Quervain tenosynovitis.

These conditions often start out relatively minor, causing only occasional mild discomfort. As time passes, you may experience increased levels of pain, numbness, and an inability to grasp objects with the affected hand or wrist.

Hearing Loss

Those who work in loud environments every day often suffer serious permanent hearing loss. Constant exposure to loud machinery, power tools, and loudspeakers or PA announcements can lose their hearing gradually. This type of injury can be difficult to prove, as it happens so gradually that people often don’t realize it’s happening until they have a significant amount of hearing loss.

In some cases, they may not even realize it until a loved one points out how often they mishear things. Once hearing loss happens, it is often permanent, but may be treated with hearing aids or other devices.

Back Injuries

Back injuries are among the most commonly reported work injuries in the United States. Some are related to one-time accidents or incidents, but many are the result of constant pressure on the back. Those who suffer back pain may work in manufacturing, transportation, and other jobs that may require lifting heavy boxes and equipment.

Even with proper lifting form—and many people do not use safe lifting form—the wear and tear on the back can be intense. Surprisingly, those who work in office jobs may also experience back injuries. This is due to the fact that many people who sit at desks tend to slump forward while working, which leads to pressure on the spinal cord and back muscles.

Shoulder Injuries

If your job involves lifting heavy items, working in uncomfortable positions, or being stuck in one position for long periods of time, your shoulders and rotator cuffs may be at greater risk of injury. Lifting and maintaining your posture in awkward positions puts a lot of strain on your shoulders and nearby muscles. Shoulder injuries are also likely if you sit at a desk for long periods of time with poor posture. Common injuries include ligament strains and muscle sprains.

Bursitis and Tendinitis

Bursitis and tendinitis are injuries that affect the tendons and bursa of the muscles. These injuries tend to mimic each other, so you may need a doctor to confirm if you have one or both conditions. Overuse of the related muscles often leads to bursitis and tendinitis. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. These symptoms may get worse when the affected muscles are in use and at nighttime.

Why You May Need an Attorney

While filing a workers’ compensation claim is generally a simple process, it’s a bit more challenging when your injury is one that has built up over time. When there’s no single accident to link your injuries to, the workers’ compensation insurance company has a greater chance of denying it.

They may claim that your injury is the result of a hobby or other non-work activity, or that it’s caused by a combination of both work and non-work activities. To prove that your injury is work-related and merits compensation, you may need to talk to an attorney.

Get the Compensation You Deserve—Call Thiry & Caddell

If your workers’ compensation claim has been denied or your company is pressuring you to use your own insurance instead, don’t wait any longer to call an attorney. We’re here to pursue the compensation you are owed. Call Thiry & Caddell at 251-478-8880 or contact our team online to set up a time to talk.