The legal team at Golitko & Daly is one of the leading workplace injury law firms in the greater Indianapolis area. We offer strong legal guidance following construction accidents, with a focus on the injury victim and his or her loved ones.
Back injuries and back problems related to construction work always have to be taken seriously. With that in mind, let’s focus on herniated discs and what can be done to address these matters.
What is a herniated disc?
To understand a herniated disc (aka ruptured disc, slipped disc), we should briefly note the anatomy of the spinal cord. Between the vertebrae, there is a spongy disc that helps serve as a shock absorber and allows for flexibility and a range of motion. A herniated disc occurs when an injury of some kind causes this disc between vertebrae to bulge outward. It can be quite painful, and it may have lasting repercussions depending on the nature of the injury.
What Causes a Herniated Disc to Occur?
The most common causes of herniated discs involve heavy lift, major strain, blows to the back, or repeated motions that involve the back. Herniated discs are most common in the lower back (the lumbar region) since this part of the spine bears much of the weight of the human body.
Why Herniated Discs and Construction Accidents Are Related
At a construction site, any number of incidents may result in a ruptured disc. For instance, heavy lifting at a worksite can lead to major strain on the back and cause a ruptured disc. Falls from major heights or even being struck with equipment or materials can harm various tissues of the spine, and can cause a disc to slip.
The physicality and various dangers involved with construction work should make workers more attentive about potential injury to their back.
Changes to Mobility and Back Health After a Herniated Disc
While a herniated disc is a temporary injury, it can lead to long-term issues with back and neck pain depending on the nature of the injury. Some patients will find that they have issues with twisting or turning in certain ways, or that they may suffer from back pain occasionally.
Core exercises and physical therapy can alleviate these problems in a number of instances, though we ought to point out that an injury to the back can lead to major issues that can affect an injury victim’s effectiveness while on the job.
What Should Happen After a Worker Experiences a Slipped Disc
After a worker has experienced a herniated disc, he or she should be given proper time to recovery by their employer. This means getting ample rest and not placing major stress on their back. As the employee returns to work, his or her job duties ought to be modified to accommodate the injury and allow for a full recovery. Gradually, the injury should heal and the worker can return to normal job duties so long as there is proper medical screening and clearance.
How Herniated Discs Can Be Prevented
When it comes to lifting objects and doing any kind of strenuous work, it’s important to bend at the knees and ensure that there is no unnecessary overexertion. Workers should look out for each other, and employers should have safety measures in place that account for potential back injuries as well as joint injuries, keeping the work environment as safe as possible and less likely to lead to serious strain on the body.
Learn More About Back Injuries Following Workplace Accidents
To learn more about all of your options when it comes to serious accidents at a workplace, it’s important that you contact our construction accident and workplace injury lawyers today. The legal team at Golitko & Daly will work with you and your loved ones to ensure that you receive just compensation for injuries sustained while on the job.