Types and signs of overexertion in the workplace

If you overexert yourself at work, you can injure a muscle or tendon. Sprains, strains and tears are the 3 most common types of muscle and tendon injuries that can not only be severely painful but may also impede your ability to work. If you have an injury from overexertion, you might suffer a herniated disc or pinched nerve. Other common exertion injuries include a meniscus tear, bursitis or a hernia.

While these types of injuries can occur if you bend at the waist to lift a heavy object, it’s also possible that a much less strenuous activity—such as typing or repeatedly raising your arms above your head—may also cause overexertion. Sometimes, surgery or physical therapy may be needed to recover.

These symptoms suggest that you may have suffered an overexertion injury:

• Dull or stabbing pain or throbbing
• Inflammation of a body part
• Swelling or bruising
• Tingling sensation or numbness
• Inability to bear weight on a limb
• Inability to use a wrist, arm, or hand
• Lack of mobility

If one or more of these symptoms arise after you have been lifting, pulling, pushing, carrying, or holding something at work, it’s best to seek immediate medical attention. Doing so also creates written documentation of the incident, which will come in handy if you wind up filing a workers’ compensation claim.

Overexertion injury statistics

Overexertion injuries in the workplace are surprisingly common, as these statistics show:

• Overexertion is the most common cause of workers’ compensation claims in the United States, and the third leading cause of overall injury. An estimated 3.5 million overexertion injuries happen every year.
• The industries most at risk for overexertion injuries are transportation and warehousing.
• The average number of days lost after an overexertion accident is 13.
• The estimated cost of overexertion injuries is around $10 billion per year, accounting for 25 percent of all workers’ comp benefit payouts.
• This cost is more than double the second-highest cause (slips and falls), and 4 times more than repetitive motion injuries.
• Back pain is the most frequent symptom of injury after an overexertion accident.

It’s important to know how to file a claim for workers’ comp to obtain benefits that can help you during your recovery.

North Carolina workers’ compensation laws

Most (though not all) employers in North Carolina are required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance to provide benefits for injured workers.

Employers are also generally obligated to provide necessary information and equipment, as well as proper training to help you stay safe as you carry out your duties in the workplace. If you suffer a workplace injury, it’s important that you alert your employer of the incident and file all necessary paperwork to record the incident in a timely manner. Always make copies of documents pertaining to your claim.