Minnesota Lawyers Helping Injured Workers

Shoulder injuries are common among truck drivers

On Behalf of | Sep 26, 2022 | WC - Injuries And Illnesses, WC - Work Accidents |

Truck drivers may face a variety of hazards while traveling on Minnesota roads and highways. For instance, they may have to contend with fatigue, poor road conditions or other motorists taking unsafe actions. However, they may also have to contend with shoulder injuries caused during the process of raising or lowering a trailer.

Technique is key

Commercial vehicle operators may be able to reduce their risk of shoulder injuries while cranking landing gears by standing parallel to their trailers. Doing so enables them to use their entire bodies as opposed to putting all of the pressure on their shoulders. According to researchers, 16 shoulder muscles are engaged during the process of cranking a landing gear, which means that improper technique can prevent a multitude of injuries.

Injuries can cause secondary problems

A shoulder injury may cause moderate to severe pain that an individual may seek to cure using a variety of pain medications. Pain medication may cause a driver to become drowsy or otherwise impair his or her ability to drive in a safe manner. It’s also possible that a driver will become dependent on medication, which can result in other physical or mental health problems. Finally, a driver who is in pain may be more focused on obtaining relief as opposed to road conditions. This may increase the risk of a motor vehicle accident.

Report injuries immediately

If you are hurt on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits may enable you to pay medical bills or make up any wages that were lost while recovering from an accident. Ideally, you will report an accident within 24 hours. Doing so enables your employer to launch an investigation and makes it easier to obtain benefits in a timely manner.

A workplace accident may make it harder to do your job properly or maintain a high quality of life at home. Regardless of why the accident took place, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Depending on the facts of your case, you’ll receive benefits after returning to work.

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