One of the most common causes of workplace injuries year after year is overexertion. Overexertion involves pushing the body past its physical limits in some way. Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and engaging in repetitive motions are some of the ways that people exert themselves at work, and sometimes those exertions go too far. It is estimated that injuries caused by overexertion cost employers over fifteen billion dollars in 2013 alone.
Injuries that are caused by overexertion can be either acute or chronic in nature. Many cases of acute pain can be remedied with treatment, although in some cases, particularly where the injury was caused by a repetitive motion, the pain can become chronic, resulting in conditions like osteoarthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. It is important that workers in all professions understand the risks associated with overexertion injuries, because they are not strictly limited to occupations that require a great deal of physical labor like construction or forestry. Plenty of individuals who work mainly in an office environment sustain overexertion injuries, either related to repetitive motions like typing or related to the occasional exertion like lifting a heavy package.
Fortunately, many overexertion injuries are preventable. Workplace training programs often address potential overexertion risks and educate employees about how they can avoid overexerting themselves by using safe work practices like team lifting and practicing good posture, taking recurrent breaks, and knowing their personal physical limitations and choosing to work within those limitations.
Some types of injuries that are related to overexertion are caused by fatigue. Fatigue affects many Americans, as they push their minds and bodies past their limits trying to get as much done each day as they possibly can. While an occasional late night at the office is not likely to cause an injury, getting insufficient rest on a regular basis can put a person at risk for accidents and injuries. Fatigue increases the likelihood that a person will make a poor decision regarding exertion or they will not realize that lack of sleep has sapped their strength and attempt to exert themselves in a way that their body simply cannot accommodate at that time.
Just as fatigue can increase an individual’s risk of overexertion, dehydration and hypoglycemia also increase overexertion risk. Sometimes, workers feel as though they are too busy to eat or drink at work. Unfortunately, this can lead to severe dehydration, especially in workplaces where the jobs are physically demanding, or hypoglycemia, if employees go without eating for prolonged periods of time.
Giddens Law Firm, P.A.: Supporting Mississippi Workplace Liability Plaintiffs
If you experienced an overexertion injury at work, you may be facing a long road to recovery. Fortunately, you may be able to recover for the damages that you have suffered. A successful claim for damages related to your workplace injury could help you to focus on your physical recovery by giving you the financial resources that you will need for medical care and other expenses as you heal. If you have questions about injuries caused by overexertion or any other type of workplace injuries, the Mississippi Workplace Injury Attorneys at the Giddens Law Firm, P.A. may be able to help you. Please call our office today, at (601) 355-2022.