Personal Injury
How to Avoid Overexertion Injuries at Work
| June 15th, 2020
Originally published June 15, 2020.
Overexertion injuries cause nearly one-fourth of all work-related injuries every year. They’re the most common reason for missed days at work and cost businesses billions of dollars annually. By learning how to avoid overexertion injuries, workers can be more productive, have longer careers, and enjoy a better quality of life. Before we learn how to avoid these injuries, we need to understand what they are and how they happen.
EXAMPLES OF OVEREXERTION INJURIES
Overexertion injuries can occur after performing repetitive movements over long periods or with one sudden movement. A few of the most common examples of overexertion injuries include:
- Soft-tissue injuries – Injuries to ligaments, tendons, muscles, etc.
- Back injuries – Pulled, strained back muscles or damage to the spinal cord, such as a slipped disc or cracked vertebrae
- Heat stroke and dehydration – Most common among workers doing heavy manual labor outdoors
- Repetitive stress injuries – Injuries ranging from carpal tunnel syndrome to stress fractures, often the result of weeks, months, or years of repeated movements
In many cases, two or more overexertion injuries can occur at the same time. For example, a worker might be more likely to pull a muscle if they are dehydrated or suffering from heat exhaustion. Lifting a heavy object can trigger an acute injury that stems from years of repeated actions.
HOW OVEREXERTION INJURIES HAPPEN
Certain movements and activities are more likely to cause overexertion injuries than others. Some of the most common examples include:
- Lifting heavy objects
- Performing unnatural movements
- Sitting or standing for long periods
- Using excessive force to perform a task
- Vibrations, typically from heavy machinery
- Working in extremely hot and/or humid environments
INDUSTRIES WITH HIGH RATES OF OVEREXERTION INJURIES
The National Safety Council provides a list of industries in which overexertion injuries are most common. They include:
- Education and health services
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Professional and business services
- Transportation and warehousing
- Construction
- Wholesale trade
From this data, we get a clearer picture of how these injuries happen and where they’re most likely to occur. Though workers who operate heavy machinery or lift heavy objects are more likely to suffer overexertion injuries, workers in any setting are at risk if they and their employers don’t take steps to protect their health and wellbeing.
7 TIPS FOR AVOIDING OVEREXERTION INJURIES
Preventing overexertion injuries requires preparation and mindfulness. The more aware you are of how you’re performing tasks, the better positioned you’ll be to look for more efficient ways to perform them. Here are seven ways you can reduce your chances of suffering an overexertion injury:
Use safe lifting techniques.
Keep objects you’re lifting close to your body. Maintain proper posture throughout the lift. Try to lift with your knees instead of your lower back. In addition, ask for help if an object is too large or heavy for you to lift on your own.
Break up and limit time spent doing repetitive tasks.
Distribute repetitive tasks throughout your day instead of doing them in one block of time. If possible, look for ways to avoid performing the same taxing task repeatedly.
Move often.
If you sit or stand for long periods, find opportunities to move and stretch fatigued muscles.
Rest when you need to.
Whenever you’re hot or tired, take frequent water and rest breaks.
Take pain seriously.
Persistent pain can be a warning sign of a more serious injury to come. Listen to your body and avoid performing tasks that contribute to chronic pain.
Prioritize ergonomics.
Ergonomics means “fitting a person to a job,” and it’s all about performing the correct movements for a given task. Take ergonomics seriously by considering the position your body is in when you perform tasks and look for ways to perform these tasks in a way that is less taxing on your anatomy.
Perform corrective exercises.
Whether you’re in the same position all day or using certain muscles more often than others, you’ll benefit from corrective exercises. These exercises help you correct poor posture and ensure the strength of less frequently used muscles.
IF YOU NEED A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY, CALL US
Most overexertion and workplace injuries are preventable. It’s vital that employers give their workers proper training, equipment, and rest to ensure overexertion injuries never occur. When employers fail to do so, employees have rights to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other expenses. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we help injured people get the payment they’re entitled to. If you were hurt through no fault of your own, contact our Bay Area personal injury attorneys today and speak to our team at no cost. We want to help you explore your legal options, so you can find the best path to the compensation you deserve.
Who Are You Actually Suing?
| September 23rd, 2019
If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation by making a personal injury claim. However, you may be hesitant to take legal action, as you may be worried about the ramifications on the person who caused the accident. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know that choosing to pursue damages after an injury can be a difficult decision for you and your loved ones—especially if the at-fault party is someone you know, such as a friend, family member, or coworker. When we take on your claim, we’ll handle it with the sensitivity and confidentiality it deserves while working to maximize your compensation. Contact our California accident lawyers today for a free consultation.The 2 Sources of Compensation for Victims After Injuries
Personal injury claims are often complex, and it’s not uncommon for victims to pursue multiple avenues of compensation. When we build injury claims for victims like you, we seek compensation from the following:- The at-fault parties’ insurance providers—In the vast majority of personal injury claims, victims collect compensation from insurance companies—not the people or parties who caused their accidents. That’s why auto accident coverage is required in all 50 states.
- The at-fault parties themselves—In a small number of cases, at-fault parties may have to pay out of pocket for victims’ expenses. For example, drivers who don’t carry auto insurance may have to personally pay victims compensation for causing accidents.
We Know How to Build Strong Claims That Get Results
Insurance companies want to protect their profits, and companies and individuals may deny responsibility altogether after accidents. That means compiling convincing evidence can be difficult, let alone getting the money you deserve, when you try to pursue compensation on your own. When you contact our firm, we’ll investigate your injury, determine who was responsible, and plan the most effective way to get you every penny you deserve. Contact us today.How Music May Affect Your Driving Behavior
| August 7th, 2019
Car accidents occur every day when drivers get distracted by the radio dial or while flipping through a playlist, but is music itself a cause of traffic accidents? Music and driving have been an inseparable pair since radios were first added to vehicles, but now researchers are becoming interested in whether that relationship is helpful or harmful.The Case for Music while Driving
In driving situations when you are locked in traffic, listening to music can boost your mood and reduce your stress levels. In turn, this can reduce aggressive driving and road rage. In highway driving, listening to music has been connected with improved concentration, decreased lane drifting, and more accuracy in matching speed to flow of traffic. It also increases heartrate, making it easier for drivers to stay awake and aware.The Case Against Music while Driving
Loud music, or any music played over 85 decibels (dB), has been shown to reduce reaction time. Likewise, fast music, or any music with more than 120 beats per minute (BPM), may cause overexcitement, and cause a driver to subconsciously speed. When you really love a song, that may be another reason to take it off your road trip playlist. It becomes too easy to become distracted and begin making errors such as forgetting to signal or check blind spots. In studies comparing driving performance when listening to personal music vs music provided by researchers, tailgating also increased when drivers listened to their own music.How to Build Your Playlist
In general, music with a tempo of 60-80 BPM is the safest to drive to, because it mimics the average human heart rate. Most music among today’s hits falls around 100 BPM, but anything over 120 BPM may encourage dangerous driving habits. Based on what we know about the safest and most dangerous tempos, we’ve found five of the most dangerous songs to listen to while driving and five safe alternatives, all pulled from the Billboard Hot 100. Today’s Hits – Top 5 Most Dangerous Songs to Drive To- bad guy by Billie Eilish – 135 BPM
- Talk by Khalid – 136 BPM
- Sucker by Jonas Brothers – 138 BPM
- If I Can’t Have You by Shawn Mendes – 124 BPM
- Sweet But Psycho by Ava Max – 133 BPM
- Old Town Road by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – 67 BPM
- Suge by DaBaby – 75 BPM
- Beer Never Broke My Heart by Luke Combs – 77 BPM
- Earfquake by Tyler, The Creator – 80 BPM
- 7 Rings by Ariana Grande – 70 BPM
When You’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident, Call Berg Injury Lawyers
If you’ve missed work and incurred huge medical bills after a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you don’t deserve to have to pay out of pocket. We have experience helping car accident victims get compensation for their injuries, and we want to help you, too. Call our firm today for a free consultation.What to Expect: Auto Accident Claims
| June 12th, 2019
After a car accident, the most important thing you can do to protect your health and your rights to compensation is get medical attention. Even if you have no visible injuries or immediate pain, it’s important to get evaluated by a medical professional. Whether you see a first responder at the scene or visit your doctor in the days following your accident, getting medical attention can rule out or address any internal injuries, as well as create a medical record linking your injuries to the crash. But once you’ve received the medical treatment you need, you may be wondering what to do next—especially if the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we believe you should be compensated for what you’ve gone through, and we want to help. Read on to find out what happens when you file an auto accident injury claim in California.What Happens If We Take Your Case
When you call Berg Injury Lawyers after an accident, we’ll ask questions to learn more about your claim. If we determine that you have a case, we can collect and analyze evidence such as witness testimonies, crash scene debris, and police reports to support your claim and determine who can be held liable. We can also assess your injury-related expenses, including your current and future medical bills, current and future lost wages, and pain and suffering, to determine a fair settlement amount. Then, we’ll negotiate with the responsible party’s insurance company on your behalf to help you get the compensation you deserve. If the insurance company refuses to give you a fair settlement, we won’t hesitate to take your case to court.After a Car Accident, Get Berg!
If you or your loved one suffered injuries in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact the California car crash attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers today. We have more than 40 years of experience fighting for injury victims in the Bay Area and throughout California, and we know what it takes to build strong claims. Let us get to work for you and your family today. You can contact us 24/7, and with our No Fee Guarantee®, if you don’t win, you pay nothing.How Can a Lawyer Help After an Accident?
| May 13th, 2019
There are many types of accidents and injuries that can change your life forever. Whether you were hurt in a car accident, boat accident, motorcycle accident, or any other type of accident, it’s important to have legal representation on your side. At Berg Injury Lawyers, our California personal injury attorneys know what you’re going through and the challenges you’re facing. You’re in pain and medical bills are piling up, but because your injuries put you out of work, you may be unable to afford them. That’s where we come in. When you choose us to handle your case, you can count on us to handle the following aspects of your injury claim:- We’ll determine who was at fault—Insurance companies often assume that victims are responsible for their own injuries. We can collect evidence that proves someone else’s negligence resulted in the accident.
- We’ll handle all communication with the adjuster—Insurance companies count on victims making mistakes after their accidents—especially when they’ve suffered serious injuries. But when we take on your claim, they’ll have to go through us instead.
- We’ll negotiate to get you the money you deserve—Even if the insurance company concedes that someone else caused your accident, it may offer you a lowball settlement. We’ll determine how much money you deserve, and we’ll fight to help you get it.
St. Patrick’s Day Safety
| March 12th, 2019
St. Patrick’s Day is one of the busiest times of year for bars, pubs, and restaurants in California. If you’re planning on celebrating the day with friends and family, it’s important to be safety-conscious and aware of the potential dangers that you might face whether you’re out and about or heading home. To reduce your risks this year, do your best to follow these tips:- Appoint a designated driver—Having a sober driver with you can make your evening safer and more relaxed. If you don’t have a designated driver, use a ridesharing app or call a taxi to get home instead. Never get behind the wheel of your vehicle when you’re intoxicated.
- Enter and exit vehicles near the sidewalk—Whether you’re being dropped off by your designated driver, a rideshare vehicle, or a taxi, use caution when exiting the vehicle. Getting out on the side closest to the sidewalk or curb is the best way to stay safe when exiting a vehicle near a bar or restaurant.
- Be careful while walking near traffic—If you decide to pub crawl, be cautious while walking from venue to venue. Stick to sidewalks when they’re available, and never cross the street outside of crosswalks. In addition, always look both ways before crossing, even when you have a walk signal.
- Eat and stay hydrated—The effects of alcohol are felt more intensely on an empty stomach. In addition, alcohol is dehydrating. Having a meal or snacks with your drinks and ordering water between drinks can help you stay alert and hydrated throughout the evening.
Injured? Berg Injury Lawyers Is Here to Help.
Holidays are supposed to be fun times with friends and family, but the risks of accidents often increase on those days—especially when alcohol is involved. If you or someone you love was hurt in an accident on St. Patrick’s Day or any other day, our California personal injury lawyers want to speak with you. Contact us today for a free consultation.3 Things the Insurance Company Doesn’t Want You to Know
| February 20th, 2019
Don’t Accept a Lowball Settlement.
| August 7th, 2017
When you get hurt because of another person’s negligence, you may need extensive medical treatment. But this can keep you out of work for weeks, months, or even years. Losing the paycheck you rely on can make keeping up with day-to-day living expenses difficult, and it only gets harder once your medical bills begin to add up. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know that many victims are most concerned about how they’re going to pay for their initial medical bills and their families’ cost of living in the aftermath of their injuries. Unfortunately, we also know that insurance companies take advantage of the “sticker shock” many victims experience when they get their first medical bills. That’s why they’re able to offer lowball settlement offers, which many victims accept. Having an experienced California personal injury lawyer on your side can help protect you from accepting unfair deals from the insurance company. We’ll work hard to help you get maximum compensation by:- Gathering evidence that proves you weren’t at fault – Insurance companies are reluctant to pay full settlements if they can’t prove that a victim wasn’t at fault for his or her injuries.
- Calculating your current and future accident-related expenses – The expenses you’re facing right now can seem overwhelming, but they may just be the tip of the iceberg. We’ll determine the potential costs of your time away from work, rehabilitation, and follow-up surgeries and treatments and do our best to help you get these expenses covered by insurance.
What Are Slip and Fall Accidents?
| October 17th, 2016
At every business, whether a restaurant, construction site, or corporate office, a quiet workday can quickly turn into a full-on sprint when things get busy. It’s at those times that safety is most important. Unfortunately safety is often the first thing to go when things get hectic, putting both employees and the public at risk. Premises liability lawsuits are cases that involve someone who was injured due to a business or other entity’s negligence. For example, if a grocery store or restaurant fails to clean up a spill or other hazardous area in their business and someone falls, they may be liable for that person’s injuries. Most often, these are referred to as slip and fall accidents. We’ve helped a number of people in the San Francisco area get compensation after being involved in such accidents. In each of those cases, we had to prove the following:- The condition of the property was dangerous.
- The owner knew, or should have known, about the property’s condition.
- The owner had a reasonable amount of time to fix the condition of the property.
Legal Help for Commuter Train Derailment Victims
| March 10th, 2016
It’s the end of a long day at work. You step onto the train, anxious to get home to your family. You’ve taken this trip hundreds of times without incident, but all of that is about to change. On March 7, a commuter train derailed in Northern California, injuring nine people. The impact and resulting wreckage was so extreme that an Alameda County Sheriff Department spokesperson said it was “an absolute miracle that no one was killed.” Although we are thankful no one was killed, that fact is little comfort to those who were seriously injured in the incident. For them, the hardest part is just beginning, leaving them with a lot of unknown questions. Your medical expenses won’t end with your hospital stay; who’s going to pay for ongoing treatment? You’re not going to be able to work while you recover; who’s going to compensate you for lost wages? You’ve been through a traumatic, life-changing event; who should be held responsible for your pain and suffering? If you were injured in the recent Alameda County train derailment in Northern California, call our experienced personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation. The next several days are going to be critical to your recovery and your family’s future. Beyond exceptional medical care, you need an experienced law firm to protect your rights and help you determine the next steps. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’ve been helping the injured people of Northern California for more than 30 years, and we’re ready to help you too. To learn more about how we can help after an accident contact us today!
