Shoulder and Knee Injuries in the Workplace: How they Happen and What You Can Do if You are Injured on the Job in Decatur

There is no doubt that our shoulders and knees are extremely critical joints for our everyday movement. The shoulder is made up of two joints that help us lift objects and move them, carry items, and perform routine tasks with our upper bodies. The knee is a large joint in the body where the bones of the upper leg and the lower leg meet. The knee joint allows us to do everything we need to do with the lower body throughout our day – the knee joint acts like a hinge and allows us to squat, walk, and jump. Injury to the shoulder or knee on the job can be incredibly debilitating and can disable a worker from being able to work their regular job. But what are the most common causes of shoulder and knee injuries at work, and what can a Decatur worker do if they suffer a workplace shoulder or knee injury?

Common Causes of Shoulder and Knee Injuries at Work

The most common causes of shoulder and knee injuries at work include:

• Improper lifting and carrying: when a worker improperly lifts and carries a heavy load, he or she can sprain the shoulder or knee joints. Workers in manual labor-type jobs such as construction or janitorial work may be at higher risk for lifting and carrying injuries to the shoulders and knees;
• Falls and slips in the workplace: workers who work in environments with slippery or wet floors may be at risk for sudden falling or slipping injuries to the shoulders and knees, such as fractures, dislocations, and ligament tears;
• Exposure to vibrations: when a worker is exposed for a prolonged period to vibrating tools or equipment, such as jackhammers and other heavy machinery, a worker can suffer joint injuries from the constant motion;
• Maintaining an awkward body position: workers who must work in awkward body positions for long periods may suffer breakdown of the shoulder and knee joints;
• Repetitive movements: if a worker performs the same repetitive movements with their shoulders and knees on the job they may be at risk for overuse injuries. Even work such as assembly line work or other seated work may cause a repetitive stress injury to a worker.

Help for Workers with Shoulder and Knee Injuries in Decatur

If you suffered a workplace shoulder or knee injury in Decatur and you are now disabled from work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under Georgia workers’ compensation laws. In order to determine whether you may be eligible, it is best to speak with an experienced Decatur shoulder and knee injury lawyer as soon as possible about your claim. The experienced Decatur shoulder and knee injury lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your workplace shoulder or knee accident and to see if they can help. Contact the O’Connell Law Firm today and speak to an experienced Decatur shoulder and knee injury lawyer about your case for free.