As trucking companies expect more out of their drivers with longer shifts and unloading their trucks faster, this added pressure is leading to more work injuries and workers’ compensation cases from over the road truck drivers.
Truck driving is a hazardous occupation with many potential dangers. On-the-road semi accidents may be the biggest danger that most people think of, but there are many other work injury hazards as well, also known as occupational injuries, that are covered under Missouri workers’ comp law.
Musculoskeletal Injuries
There is a lot more to a trucker’s job than simply driving their load from one location to another. They also assist in other tasks such as loading and unloading boxes and servicing their semi. Lifting heavy loads can put significant strain on the back and neck. There’s also the danger of being struck by boxes, pallet jacks, or lift gates. Falling from heights is another common hazard.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
The simple act of driving in the cab for long periods of time can cause injuries to develop or worsen, depending on the driver’s seated position and how long they’ve been driving at one time. Common injuries include carpal tunnel, bursitis, and tendinitis.
If you experience any pain, tingling, or numbness in your hands or other body parts, you should get a medical examination. These might be warning signs of a repetitive stress injury.
These Work Injuries Only Get Worse Over Time
It’s human nature to put off seeing a doctor and hoping the work injury gets better over time. But many of these work injuries end up being more severe because the driver sits still for hours behind the wheel. These injuries can also be amplified by the vibration of the vehicle, which causes muscles to tense up for long periods of time and even cause bulging and herniated discs.
The constant vibration of your body slowly but surely jostles things out of place and can lead to severe injury down the line if left unchecked.
The trucking industry is among the most dangerous in the country for workers. Injuries are common and can be severe. If you’re a truck driver who sustained an injury on the job, you might have racked up significant medical bills and aren’t sure how you’re going to make ends meet.
Workers’ compensation has helped compensate truck drivers across the country for ongoing medical treatment and lost wages, and it can help you too. The secret is knowing how the system works and how it can best benefit you with the help of a Missouri work injury lawyer.
Workers’ comp cases are one of our specialties at The Krebs Law Firm. You can count on our experienced worker injury lawyer in Missouri to help you navigate the process and receive the compensation that you deserve. We only get paid if you do. And we offer free consultations. Contact our office today.
Don’t try taking on the insurance companies alone. Call The Krebs Law Firm for a free consultation. You need an experienced workers compensation attorney at your side to make sure you get what you deserve for your workplace injury. Call The Krebs Law Firm locally at (417) 883-5886 or toll free at (800) 345-0535.
There is no upfront cost to hiring a Missouri Work Comp lawyer for your claim. If have a potential Missouri work comp case and want to make sure you maximize your Missouri Workers Compensation benefits for your workplace injury as a trucker, then you should speak to a Missouri Workers Compensation attorney sooner rather than later.
Utilize our years of expertise to get the compensation you deserve and let us help you each step of the way.