Orthopedic injuries are injuries that can affect an individual’s bones and muscles and can occur in any workplace. An orthopedic injury can happen due to a traumatic accident like a fall or a car crash, but they can also occur when a worker repeatedly places stress on a particular body part. No matter what type of orthopedic injury you’ve suffered, you might be facing mounting medical expenses, and perhaps you’ve also had to take time away from work due to pain or the inability to successfully perform your job-related duties. That’s why it is important to consult with a dedicated and experienced California Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in order to protect your legal rights to compensation.
Types of Workplace Orthopedic Injuries
Orthopedic injuries that occur at the workplace are unfortunately commonplace and oftentimes devastating. These injuries can happen no matter what your job is and they can affect any part of your body, though usually, orthopedic injuries affect the shoulders, neck, hands, wrists, and fingers. Orthopedic injuries can include stress fractures or joint dislocations or even nerve damage and loss of muscle control. While it depends on the extent of the injuries, many injured workers require extensive and expensive treatment and rehabilitation.
Some of the most common types of work-related orthopedic injuries include:
- Shoulder Pain. Shoulder injuries can happen from repeated lifting, or as a result of a fall.
- Neck Injuries. Neck injuries are very common and can be the result of a number of incidents or accidents. Many neck injuries involve the ligaments and muscles of the neck, but other injuries might involve a fracture or spinal cord damage.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This condition causes numbness, pain, and tingling in the arm and hand. The most common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is repetitive use of a computer over a period of time.
- Rotator Cuff Tears. This type of injury is fairly common and can weaken the shoulder making it difficult to perform everyday tasks.
- Back Injuries. Back injuries are some of the most common types of workplace orthopedic injuries. These types of injuries can range from a minor strain to a severe spinal cord injury.
- Wrist Pain. Wrist pain can be the result of a fall or repetitive motion. Torn or stretched ligaments in the wrist can cause a painful sprain.
- Knee Injuries. Knee injuries are also common workplace injuries. They can arise from repetitive lifting or other motions that require the use of the knees. Injuries can include knee sprains, meniscal tears, tendon damage, and dislocated or broken bones.
These types of orthopedic injuries can take some time to heal and may require significant rehabilitative treatment before you can gain enough mobility and strength to return to work. In other instances, an orthopedic injury may never heal, and you might not be able to go back to your previous job. Fortunately, if your injury occurred during the course of your employment, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and other damages.
Dedicated and Skilled Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Southern California
If you have sustained a work-related orthopedic injury in the San Bernardino, Hemet, or Inland Empire areas, it is important that you consult with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer at the Albert E. Hirst Law Offices as soon as possible. Albert E. Hirst, III, has the experience and the resources necessary to help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve. Call us today at (909) 885-7190 to schedule your free consultation and learn what we can do for you.