Owing to the nature of their job, New Jersey truck drivers are always at risk of a wide range of injuries. Shoulder injuries are among the most common ones, and they’re the reason many truck drivers end up filing workers’ compensation claims.
What causes shoulder injuries among truck drivers?
One of the causes of shoulder injuries is truck drivers twisting and turning to get a better view of their blind spots. This is often the case when trucks are traveling on a curved road. Similarly, truck drivers are also at risk of getting injured when they lean out of their trucks to check their loads.
Furthermore, the repetitive nature of the job can also lead to shoulder injuries. Since most truck drivers spend a lot of long hours behind the wheel, this can put a lot of strain on their shoulders.
Truck drivers are also at risk of being injured if they slip and fall. This can happen, for example, when they’re trying to fix a tire or unload cargo. Overexertion and awkward postures are also common causes of shoulder injuries.
What can you do to protect your shoulders?
First, make sure that you’re taking regular breaks while driving. This will give your body a chance to rest and reduce the risk of injuries. Secondly, try to maintain good posture while driving. You should also avoid twisting and turning unnecessarily.
Thirdly, be careful when unloading cargo and performing other tasks around the truck. Use proper lifting techniques, and take your time. Lastly, stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to muscle fatigue, which, in turn, increases the risk of injuries.
Should you seek workers’ compensation for a shoulder injury?
Truck drivers in the U.S. have workers’ compensation rights, meaning that they can file workers’ comp claims should they sustain an injury on the job. This is true regardless of whether the accident was their fault.
Workers’ comp insurance covers a wide range of injuries, including shoulder injuries. If you get injured at work and require medical attention and time off the job to recover, workers’ compensation can cover some, or all, of your losses, including lost wages due to missed workdays.
Shoulder injuries are among the most common injuries in workers’ compensation cases. If you’re injured at work, consider filing a workers’ comp claim to obtain compensation for your losses.