Back Injury

Back injuries are common among Missouri workers and are often caused by poor ergonomics.

Workplace ergonomics refers to the process of designing the workplace while having the worker in mind. The idea is to create a well-balanced environment that doesn’t put too much strain on the worker, and as a result, increase performance and productivity.

For instance, an element in workplace ergonomics is making sure workers can have an appropriate posture while working, which may, in practice, translate to making sure they have good chairs while working on their desks.

However, if your workplace ergonomics lead to back injuries, can you get worker’s comp for it?

Yes, These Injuries Are Generally Eligible

The notion that workplace ergonomics influence a worker’s health is not a new idea. In fact, NIOSH even has an entire program dedicated to helping workers identify risks and improve the staff working environment to prevent injuries, in particular back injuries.

As a result, your back injuries, which were caused by poor ergonomics, are generally eligible for worker’s compensation benefits. Ideally, you’d just have to file a claim and wait for treatment.

Why You May Hit Some Bumps 

Employees working at a desk are some of the most likely to experience back injuries, contrary to popular belief. People can spend hours on end sitting in the same position, and if their workstations are not properly set up in a way to ensure they have an adequate posture, back injuries are bound to happen.

The same goes for injuries caused by twists, turns, or lifting heavy objects – they are often directly influenced by poor ergonomics.

Such an injury doesn’t always appear in a blink of an eye. It’s sometimes the result of long-term exposure to this improper environment, which could lead to a few hicks in your worker’s comp process.

Specifically, the insurance company doesn’t want to pay for just any worker claiming their injuries resulted from the job, so in case there is no one event that leads to an injury, they will likely investigate. 

This can be problematic for you because, for one thing, it can potentially delay your treatment. You cannot choose your own worker’s compensation doctor in Missouri, and if the insurance company isn’t 100% sure of your case, they likely won’t give you the green light to see the doctor until they are. Plus, it can end up in a denied claim if the injured worker doesn’t understand how to build a strong case.

What Should You Do?

It’s best to work with a St. Louis worker’s compensation lawyer who can help you prove your back injuries have resulted from poor ergonomics. What this means exactly depends on each case, but it will usually consist of medical proof and expert testimonies that can link your injuries to your work environment.

Working with a lawyer can also speed up the compensation process and get you your much-needed medical treatment.

Salespeople are, unfortunately, prone to back injuries. If your job causes you harm, you should not carry the financial burden for your treatment yourself.

Salespeople seem to always have a smile on their faces, a warm voice, and a drive to get you to buy something. From the outside, they may seem like they have a rather cushy job which can be stressful, but at least it’s not physically demanding. Right?

The problem is, salespeople are actually prone to certain injuries, especially back injuries. What kind of compensation is available for them?

Potential Back Injuries

Salesperson is a rather vague term that can describe just about anyone who needs to sell a product or service on behalf of a company. These jobs can often involve the person traveling from company to company to sell the product or even just work in an office and handle these tasks by phone or online.

But for both of these types of salespeople, there is a risk of developing back injuries because of several factors:

• The sedentary work environment for salespeople operating from an office
• Many hours spent driving
• Manual handling of heavy cargo to offer samples to potential customers
• Working long hours, often in a stressful environment that doesn’t allow the salesperson to take many breaks

Salespeople also depend on the number of sales they make for their income since they usually receive a commission for the profit they bring into the company. This can encourage a lot of workers to push their bodies beyond what they can handle. One study found that 100% of salespeople in the pharmaceutical industry have to work from their car at some point, and spend an average of 20.2 hours per week in the car.

All of these factors can lead to back injuries such as:

• Lower back pain
• Sprains
• Tears
• Soft tissue damage

Getting Compensated for Your Work Injury

Missouri workers are covered by the state’s worker’s compensation program, which stipulates that most employers must offer their employees special benefits for work-related injuries, which include covering medical treatment, and time of work.

However, for salespeople, there may be an issue: worker’s comp laws generally only apply to employees, and not independent contractors. If you work with a company as an independent contractor, then the company is not required to offer these benefits. You can, however, purchase your own policy to protect yourself.

If you are employed, you need to notify your employer of your injury, in writing, and wait for them to tell you what clinic you need to go to.

Should You Speak With a Workers Compensation Lawyer?

Salespeople are, unfortunately, prone to back injuries. If your job causes you harm, you should not carry the financial burden for your treatment yourself. Speak with a St. Louis worker’s compensation lawyer for further assistance to get compensated. Even if you’re an independent contractor, there may be a way to get compensated for your injury under certain conditions.