New York Worksite Injury Lawyers: Sprains, Strains, and Pain
NYC Injury Attorneys Representing the Rights of Construction Workers
Aching muscles and joints are common, especially in a demanding profession like construction. Many worksite injuries stem from overexertion—pushing, pulling, tying, lifting, carrying, crawling, and holding. Indeed, overexertion is the leading cause of workplace injuries. It isn’t unusual for workers to limp home at the end of a long shift and reach for a bottle of aspirin.
Sometimes, pain simply accompanies exhaustion. But when is it a symptom of something more serious, like a sprain, strain, or other soft-tissue injury? Without proper treatment, you could make your condition worse, and leave you unable to return to work to earn a living.
What are Sprains and Strains?
Put simply, sprains and strains are injuries that affect different soft tissues in the body.
- Sprains. Any wrenching, twisting, or stretching of ligaments can lead to a sprain. Ligaments connect bone to bone and are essential for the stability of joints, such as the knee.
- Strains. Tendons connect muscle to bone. Both the tendon or the muscle can become stretched and tear, leading to pain.
It isn’t unusual to feel a tweak or twinge when making a sudden motion at work. You might have suffered a minor sprain or strain. But when tendons, ligaments, or muscles are stretched too far, they can tear completely through, leading to debilitating pain and possibly requiring surgery. Get to a doctor immediately.
Receiving Proper Treatment
The most common protocol for treating these types of soft-tissue injuries is the RICE method. This stands for:
- Rest. Get off your feet. By resting, you will give affected muscles, tendons, and ligaments a chance to heal. Typically, injured workers need at least 48 hours of rest, though you might need more depending on the injury.
- Ice. Applying ice can reduce the collection of blood to the affected tissue, reducing swelling and pain.
- Compression. You might need to wear a compression garment or ACE wrap to keep swelling at bay.
- Elevation. Elevate the affected limb 6-10 inches above the heart. This should allow blood and other fluid to drain.
The RICE protocol can treat mild and moderate strains and sprains. However, with a severe soft-tissue injury, you might need surgery to reconnect tendons or ligaments. Surgery carries many complications, and you might have a lengthier recovery time. With severe strains or sprains, workers often need braces to provide extra stability, which can make work difficult.
Returning to work too soon can lead to even worse problems and increased pain. Many workers are embarrassed to take time off for a strain or sprain, believing they are too minor. But you should receive prompt medical treatment and take whatever time is necessary to recover.
Has a Work Injury Caused Pain? Contact a New York Worksite Injury Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman is one of the original New York personal injury law firms. We have helped countless construction workers get the compensation they need after an accident, and we are eager to put our experience to your benefit. Give us a call, 212-285-3300, or fill out our online contact form. We offer a free initial consultation.