Back injuries are common in jobs that require employees to lift, move, push, or pull heavy merchandise. However, a serious lifting injury should not automatically be dismissed as simply part of the job.
An investigation may examine whether the employee was expected to lift an unreasonable load alone, whether assistance was available, whether mechanical lifting equipment should have been used, whether proper training was provided, and whether productivity requirements encouraged unsafe practices.
Back injuries can require extensive medical treatment and may interfere with an employee’s ability to return to the same type of work.
