Can I Get Compensation for Lifting Injuries While Stocking Shelves?
Yes. If you stock shelves and develop a lifting injury in NE, you likely qualify for workers’ compensation benefits under Nebraska law. The state’s workers’ comp system covers injuries that occur during work, including muscle strains, back injuries, and repetitive-motion injuries from stocking and lifting. You don’t have to prove fault, only that your injury happened because of your job duties.
At Andres Law Offices, when we represent injured workers, our goal is to ensure they receive the full benefits the law allows, including medical coverage, wage replacement, and rehabilitation. Our workers’ compensation lawyers can help by documenting your injury correctly, filing before deadlines, and appealing if your claim is denied or undervalued.
How Do Lifting Injuries Happen When Stocking Shelves in NE?
Shelf stockers, warehouse workers, and retail employees commonly perform daily lifting tasks that put significant strain on their bodies. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), overexertion and bodily reaction injuries, including lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying, are the leading causes of non-fatal workplace injuries, accounting for about 31% of all cases involving days away from work in a recent year.
In busy retail centers and warehouses, these injuries often happen when:
- Workers lift heavy boxes above shoulder height.
- Repetitive bending or twisting causes muscle tears.
- Employers fail to provide proper lifting equipment or training.
Common Lifting Injuries
Common lifting injuries at work include lower back strains and herniated discs, which can cause debilitating pain and limit mobility. Muscle tears in the back, shoulders, and legs frequently occur from overexertion. Workers may suffer from ligament sprains, particularly in the spine and knees. Rotator cuff injuries affect shoulder function and range of motion.
Sciatica develops when compressed nerves cause shooting pain down the legs. Repetitive lifting can lead to chronic conditions like degenerative disc disease. Severe cases may involve spinal fractures or permanent nerve damage, requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Because these injuries can be severe and lasting, you need the proper legal representation from a workers’ comp lawyer when seeking benefits.
What Benefits Can You Receive for a Lifting Injury in NE?
If your injury qualifies, Nebraska’s workers’ compensation laws provide several key benefits:
- Medical treatment for your work-related injury, including doctor visits, physical therapy, and surgery if needed
- Temporary total disability payments while you’re unable to work
- Permanent partial disability compensation is available if your lifting injury leads to lasting limitations.
- Vocational rehabilitation benefits so you can transition to other job duties if needed
The specific number of benefits you can get will be based on your injury’s severity and average weekly wage. A workers’ compensation attorney in NE can help calculate the correct amount, ensuring insurers don’t undervalue your claim.
Trust Our Dedicated Workers’ Compensation Attorneys to Handle Your Claim
If you stock shelves or move freight and your back or shoulder pain is making every shift harder, get in touch with Andres Law Offices right away. Our workers’ compensation lawyer can help prove that your repetitive lifting, twisting, and strain injuries occurred on the job, not just overnight or for any other reason. To arrange your no-cost consultation, contact us online or call 402-491-4003.