Back & Spine Injuries From NY / NJ Construction Accidents

If you suffered a back or spine injury in a construction accident, you aren’t alone. The construction industry has the second highest rate of back injuries. About a quarter of all construction injuries involve the back. Back injuries lead to more lost days of work than any other condition. Construction work is hard. If safety measures aren’t in place, it is easy to have a back or spine injury at an NY / NJ construction site. The Ginarte law firm can help you get the money you need after a serious back injury.

Give us a call now. Our NY / NJ construction accident lawyers will review your claim for free. Dial 1-888-GINARTE or fill out our online contact form. The Ginarte law firm is one of the biggest in the New York and New Jersey metro area handling construction injury claims. We have the experience it takes to get started on your construction accident claim.

Put our decades of experience to work for you. You have nothing to lose. We collect fees only if you win your case.

Call or visit us now at our seven nearby offices: Newark, New York City, Union City, Elizabeth, Clifton and Perth Amboy.

NY / NJ Construction Accidents Cause Back & Spine Injuries

New Jersey and New York construction workers are a strong bunch. But hard work at the jobsite can do serious harm to the back and spinal cord. The rate of back injuries in construction is 50 percent higher than the average for all industries, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Many back injury accidents happen while lifting heavy items. The risk of injury is great, particularly when workers don’t have the right tools or equipment to help them move heavy materials. About a third of all construction site back injuries come from material handling, NIOSH reports. Bending to perform work below waist level causes major stress on the back. There are ways to help relieve this tension, but these safety measures are not in place at all NY / NJ construction sites.

Falls are another common cause of construction site back injuries. A fall can cause blunt force trauma to the back and spine. Falls from heights are the most dangerous, but even a fall on the same level can cause major damage and disability. In fact, even a minor twisting or awkward move can cause a back injury that leads to severe pain. Along with falls, getting hit by a falling or moving object triggers some of the most serious back injuries. Excavation cave-ins and falls from ladders or scaffolds are other frequent construction accidents that lead to back and spine problems.

About Disabilities From Back & Spine Injuries

The spinal cord is the main link between the brain and the rest of the body. Damage to the spinal cord can cause severe pain and loss of function. Small bones called vertebrae make up the spine or backbone. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that passes through the spine. Rubbery discs separate the vertebrae and allow the spine to bend. Many back injuries result from slipped or herniated (ruptured) discs. The disc can press on the spinal cord, which can cause pain, tingling, weakness and occasionally immobility.

Paralysis can result if the spinal cord suffers a hard hit, gets crushed or pinched. Spinal cord injuries are categorized as incomplete or complete. An incomplete spinal cord injury leaves the victim with some degree of movement and sense below the site of the injury. When a spine injury is complete, the brain is unable to “talk to” anything below the injury. The location of the spinal injury determines what type of paralysis a victim will suffer. Quadriplegia results from an injury to the upper part of the spine. People with quadriplegia cannot move their legs or their arms. Paraplegia is the paralysis of the legs and sometimes part of the body’s trunk. Victims can still use their arms with paraplegia.

In addition to pain and loss of mobility, paralysis can cause other secondary problems such as:

• Seizures;
• Spasms;
• Breathing problems;
• Digestive problems;
• Circulatory problems;
• Loss of bowel and bladder control;
• Infections;
• Blood clots; and
• Problems maintaining body temperature.

NY / NJ Construction Workers At Risk For Back & Spine Injuries

Workers who do a lot of heavy lifting at NY / NJ construction sites have an increased risk of a back or spine injury. Almost everyone at the worksite could get a back or spine injury from a fall or from being struck by an object. Here are some of the construction workers who face significant back and spine injury hazards:

• Roofers;
• Masons;
• Drywall hangers;
• Painters;
• General laborers and helpers;
• Ironworkers;
• Mechanics;
• Carpenters;
• Plumbers;
• Framers;
• Demolition workers;
• Tile setters;
• Carpet and flooring installers;
• HVAC installers;
• Window installers, and others.

Costs Related To Back & Spine Injuries

Many spinal cord injuries require lots of time in the hospital and rehab. Victims who suffer paralysis may need a lifetime of care and assistance. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center estimates that a 25-year-old quadriplegic will require almost $8 million in lifetime care. Someone with paraplegia will rack up about $2 million in bills. And that doesn’t count lost pay. Back injuries such as pinched nerves and slipped and herniated discs are also expensive. The total cost of back injury treatments for all construction workers approaches $25 billion each year, plus another $25 billion in lost wages. Workers’ comp is available to help pay some expenses. But our experience shows that workers’ comp alone is almost never enough to cover all losses from back and spine injuries. Talk to the Ginarte firm now to find out how we can help you.

Find Out How The Ginarte Law Firm Can Help You

Don’t let delay bar your back injury claim. Go ahead and call the Ginarte law firm now. Dial 1-888-GINARTE to schedule your free consultation. You can fill out our online contact form if you prefer. Let’s get started working on your claim today.