Back injuries are especially common for those working in the nursing profession. Some reports indicate that chronic low back pain is an issue for 72% of nurses.
Additionally, some nurses could suffer acute injuries. One example would be a herniated disc or a spinal cord injury. A nurse could throw their back out and miss significant time at work while they recover.
It can often be painful or impossible to work with a serious back injury. That is why it is so important for nurses to understand when they can seek workers’ comp benefits to cover a portion of their lost wages and medical bills that they may face.
Why are back injuries so common?
Often, the reason for a back injury is patient handling. This could include lifting a patient into a bed, repositioning them, helping them walk, lifting them into a wheelchair, transporting them onto an operating table and much more. Nurses are often responsible for lifting and assisting heavy patients, so there is the potential for back pain, overexertion and injuries.
One compounding factor is that a nurse may feel they have to act quickly in an emergency situation to assist a patient. Even if it is difficult for them to lift that person on their own and they should technically wait for assistance from other staff, they may still try to help the patient as they render care. Because of this sense of urgency, back injuries could occur.
Nurses who have been injured on the job may deserve workers’ comp benefits, and it is important for them to understand exactly what legal steps are necessary at this time.
