Truck drivers face many health risks beyond vehicle accidents. Occupational demands and tight, sometimes unreasonable deadlines for deliveries put truck drivers at an elevated risk for some serious and ongoing injuries.
If you are a truck driver and you have been injured at work, you may be able to collect benefits under your employer’s workers’ compensation policy. However, getting these benefits can be more challenging and complicated than initially meets the eye.
1. Repetitive Motion Injuries
Repetitive motion injuries are frequent and painful. Because truck drivers need to keep their hands and feet in certain positions to drive for long periods, these body parts can suffer injuries from the vibrations of the truck, and doing the same motion over and over as required by the job.
2. Strains and Sprains
Sitting for extremely long periods can leave joints, muscles, and other body parts weak. Without proper exercise and movement, these body parts, especially joints, can weaken and fail to function properly. When that happens, someone is more likely to fall and injure themselves.
3. Slip and Fall
Trucks sit higher than most vehicles, and drivers must climb in and out regularly. If they miss a step, or the step is slippery, it is easy to fall. Loading and unloading trucks also presents tripping hazards, which can lead to serious injuries.
4. Truck Accidents
Spending so much time on the road, like truck drivers do, they are statistically more likely to hit other objects or have other vehicles hit them. While truckers are well-protected in their massive vehicles, they can still suffer serious injuries in a crash.
5. Back Pain
For people who have never experienced back pain, they do not understand just how debilitating it can be. Because truck drivers sit for such long and extended periods of time, back pain is one of the most common injuries they face. Even with good exercise and regular movement, sitting for long periods can lead to ongoing back pain, some of which might become serious enough to require surgery.
How Can Workers’ Compensation Help Truck Drivers?
Workers’ compensation is a type of no-fault insurance that all businesses, with few exceptions, must carry. Because it is no-fault, unless you intentionally injured yourself, you may be entitled to collect benefits under your employer’s policy.
But for the insurance company to approve your claim, you will need to show you were at work when you were injured. If you are a truck driver and you stopped for gas while making a delivery and slipped on a step climbing back into your truck, you would probably be considered to be working at the time of your injury and may be granted benefits.
Workers’ compensation benefits are not as comprehensive as compensation you may be able to receive in a personal injury lawsuit. Workers’ compensation only covers economic losses:
- Wage loss
- Medical bills
A Coatsville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC Can Help You Get the Benefits You Need
When you get injured in an accident at work, you may be entitled to benefits under your employer’s workers’ compensation policy. To find out your next steps, speak with a Coatsville workers’ compensation lawyer at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC today. Call 610-594-1600 to schedule your free consultation with our experienced team. Conveniently located in Exton, Pennsylvania, we proudly serve Downingtown, West Chester, Exton, Coatesville, Phoenixville, Malvern, Lyndell, Wagontown, Uwchlan Township, Parkesburg, Chester Springs, Lancaster County, Reading, and Morgantown.