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New York State Workers’ Compensation

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Dealing With On-the-Job Cervical Spine Injuries

If you have suffered a cervical spine injury, often the result of heavy lifting or falls on the job, you may find you are very limited in what you can do should you be permitted by your doctor to return to work. Work restrictions will likely be placed on you that may dictate if and when you can return to your normal job task.

Any spinal injury can be dangerous and not following doctor's orders can lead to re-injury or paralysis. Recovery will often require a combination of medication therapy and a strict exercise program. Some of the work limitations placed on you may include:

Heavy Lifting Restrictions

If you are allowed to lift any materials at all, the doctor will usually restrict your lifting, pushing, or pulling a certain amount of poundage. If you routinely are required to lift or move heavy objects, your employer may have to provide light duty tasks for you to tend to during your recovery.

Repetitive Motions

Repetitive motions can cause stress on the body so most patients with cervical spine injuries will not be permitted to perform tasks that require repetitive bending, stretching, reaching, or sorting. These tasks can cause additional strain on the neck and back.

Positioning of the Body

Some job requirements will necessitate the body to move in certain ways that are not conducive to recovering from cervical spine injuries. Even sitting for long periods of time at a desk can cause re-injury or prevention of recovery. Physicians may provide strict guidelines for body posture and movement breaks while on the job.

Cervical spine injuries can be painful and depending on the person can take a long time to heal properly. If you have suffered an injury to your spine during work hours, it is important to seek appropriate medical attention right away to prevent further damage. You also need to protect your rights for a worker's compensation claim by calling our office to schedule a free consultation. You can reach us confidentially at (866) 205-2415 or by using our online contact form.