Lifting Injuries that Result in an Iowa Workers’ Compensation Claim

Although an Iowa workers' compensation claim can be filed as a result of an accident at work, there are other circumstances that may also lead an individual to file a claim. Sometimes referred to as "workers' Comp" or "workman's Comp," Iowa workers' compensation is the coverage available to employees who have suffered an injury or illness as a direct result of their job.

There are many issues that may cause someone to seek workers' compensation benefits. When a worker is injured while performing their normal job duties, such as when they suffer a lifting injury, this could also lead to an Iowa workers' compensation claim. A lifting injury can be very painful and result in the need for medical intervention or missed time from work.

What is a Lifting Injury?

A lifting injury can result from performing tasks that are typical of the worker's job duties. The lifting of equipment, boxes or other items can lead to a variety of injuries such as a leg, neck or back injury.  In some cases it may be the result of lifting an object that is too heavy.  If the item is bulky or awkward to carry, this can also lead to a lifting injury. Sometimes it may be that the worker didn't use the appropriate technique to lift, push or pull an object. No matter how it happened, if it results in an injury and you were acting within the scope of your job, you may be eligible to receive Iowa workers' compensation benefits. 

What Kind of Injuries Usually Occur From Lifting?

The most common type of injury to sustain as a result of lifting is a back injury. Sometimes it may appear that a single incident led to the back injury, however many times it is a result of repetitive trauma to the back, which can occur over the course of time. If lifting is a regular part of your job duties, there can be a weakening in the musculoskeletal system.  A back injury can be the result of either a single injury to a disc, vertebrae, ligament or muscle, or it can be a combination of these.  While a back injury is certainly not life-threatening, it can be debilitating. A back injury can be quite costly to treat, particularly if surgery becomes necessary, and it can mean being unable to return to work for a lengthy amount of time.  In fact, a back injury is one of the most common types of disabilities to sustain in the workforce.

What are the Consequences of Having a Lifting Injury?

The consequences of a lifting injury may mean an inability to return to work.  In some cases, this may only be for a short time, but if there was a severe back injury, then it may be for long-term.  This can lead to lost income and, if treatment is necessary, expenses associated with the treatment.  Physical therapy, surgery and medication could be required. When a worker has been injured, they should understand what their rights are and how they may be protected by an Iowa workers' compensation claim.

How Can an Iowa Workers' Compensation Attorney Help?

If you have sustained a lifting injury at work, you should know that you are not automatically guaranteed success with your Iowa workers' compensation claim.  The insurance company may do whatever they can to deny or undervalue your claim.  A Des Moines Workers' Compensation attorney will be familiar with work injury claims that involve a lifting injury as the chief complaint and will understand what type of evidence will be needed to substantiate your Iowa workers' compensation claim.   The Des Moines workers' compensation attorney team at Walker, Billingsley & Bair know the importance of protecting your work injury claim from the get-go. That's why we provide this FREE book; Iowa Workers' Compensation - An Insider's Guide to Work Injuries: 7 Deadly Mistakes To Avoid If You Are Hurt At Work. To learn more about what our legal team will do to help you protect your Iowa work injury claim, contact Walker, Billingsley & Bair to schedule a no-cost consultation - (641) 792-3595.