Common Work-Related Neck and Back Injuries in Minnesota

Back and neck injuries are some of the most common reasons Minnesota workers file for workers’ compensation benefits. Whether they are caused by a single traumatic incident or years of repetitive strain, these injuries can impact your sleep, family life, and simple daily tasks.

Fortunately, a Minnesota workers’ compensation lawyer can help injured workers understand their rights and seek the benefits available for work-related neck and back injuries.

Neck and Back Injuries Sustained on the Job in Minnesota

Your spine supports nearly every movement you make during a workday, leaving it vulnerable to serious injuries. Some of the most common work-related neck and back injuries include:

• Strains and Sprains: A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon, while a sprain damages the ligaments that connect bones. Both cause painful symptoms like stiffness and spasms.
• Herniated Discs: A herniated disc occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through its tougher outer layer.
• Pinched Nerves: A pinched nerve occurs when bone, disc material, or tissue compresses a nerve root. This can cause tingling, weakness, or shooting pain.
• Whiplash: Whiplash is a soft tissue injury caused by a sudden back-and-forth motion of the head. It commonly results from motor vehicle crashes.
• Vertebral Fractures: A vertebral fracture is a break in a bone of the spinal column. Severe fractures can damage the spinal cord, potentially leading to paralysis.

How Do Neck and Back Injuries Happen at Work?

Many neck and back injuries are caused by a sudden accident. For example, a construction worker might fall from scaffolding and fracture a vertebra. In health care, nurses and aides often strain their backs while lifting or repositioning patients.

Gradual neck and back injuries may also develop through months or years of repeated stress. Warehouse employees who lift heavy boxes day after day may eventually herniate a disc. Office workers can also develop chronic neck pain from long hours at a poorly arranged desk. To prevent long-term strain, it’s essential to properly set up your desk for better ergonomics.

Minnesota’s Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Neck and Back Injuries

Minnesota’s workers’ compensation insurance helps pay for injuries sustained during the course of your employment. This system is no-fault, which means you do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong to recover benefits. Instead, you must prove that your injury arose out of and in the course of your employment.

Depending on the severity of your neck or back injury, your benefits may include:

• Medical treatment, including doctor visits, imaging, physical therapy, prescriptions, and surgery
• Temporary wage loss benefits if you cannot work or take a role with reduced pay, equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage
• Permanent disability benefits if you suffer lasting impairments due to your neck and back injury
• Vocational rehabilitation, which helps you find suitable work if your injury prevents you from returning to your former job

Discuss Your Options with a Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Despite Minnesota’s protections, recovering benefits for a neck or back injury can be an uphill battle. Insurers often dispute these claims, arguing that your pain stems from aging, an old injury, or activities outside work. A Minnesota workers’ compensation lawyer can help you fight back.

An attorney can gather medical records that prove your injury is connected to your job duties and respond to a denial with a robust, evidence-backed claim. Whether your injury came from one heavy lift or years of repetitive strain, contact a Minnesota workers’ compensation attorney today to schedule a free consultation.