Muscle Injuries on the Job and Workers Comp

 

Helping Injured Employees Get Workers Comp Benefits and Negotiate Top-Dollar Settlements for Muscle Injuries, including Muscle Strains and Tears

 

Your body’s muscular system allows you to perform countless actions.

 

Lifting. Carrying. Pushing. Pulling. Reaching. Handling. Squatting. Bending. Running. Walking. Sitting. Standing. None of these movements is possible without using your muscles.

 

And because muscles are so important to performing your job, work-related musculoskeletal disorders are some of the most common injuries in Virginia workplaces.

 

How common are work-related muscular injuries, such as strains and tears? Very. Muscle injuries from workplace trauma are one of the leading causes of disability and lost time from work. And they can lead to more permanent conditions such as arthritis and degenerative disc disease, which often require medical procedures such as lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

 

The purpose of this article is to help those of you who tore or pulled a muscle on the job get wage loss benefits, lifetime medical treatment, and a workers compensation muscle injury settlement.

 

If you have any questions about the claims process, or are looking for one of the best work injury lawyers in the state to represent you against the employer and its insurance carrier, call me for a free consultation: 804-251-1620 or 757-810-5614. I help injured employees in Richmond, Charlottesville, Fairfax, Manassas, Roanoke, Fredericksburg, Newport News, Williamsburg, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach win at hearing and negotiate Virginia workers comp settlements.

 

Muscle Structure and Tissue

 

Muscles are a form of soft tissue. This is why muscle injuries are often called soft tissue injuries in workers comp and car accident claims.

 

Your body has three types of muscles: skeletal muscles; cardiac muscles; and, smooth muscles.

 

This article focuses on injuries to skeletal muscles, many of which join to bone and help you move.

 

Skeletal muscles are also called striated muscle, because they have stripes and bands when viewed by microscope. Or voluntary muscles, because you have control over their actions.

 

A muscle is surrounded by an outer sheath. This sheath allows the muscle to move over surrounding tissues when it contracts.

 

Inside the outer sheath of the muscles are bundles of fibers called fascicles, which are made up of myofibrils. The myofibrils consist of units called sarcomeres, which are responsible for muscle contraction.

 

Inside the sarcomeres are muscles proteins called myosins. When the myosin relax, the sarcomeres stop contracting and lengthen to their original position. This is known as muscle relaxation.

 

It is muscle contraction and relaxation that allows you to perform your job, participate in recreational activities such as weight lifting or running, or do any activities of daily living.

 

How Your Muscles Work Together

 

Your muscles can only contract and shorten to pull. They cannot push.

 

This is why muscles are arranged in pairs that act in opposition to each other. One muscle’s movement can be reversed by the opposing muscle.

 

If you have a muscle imbalance where one muscle is stronger than its partner muscle, then you may be at greater risk for a pulled or torn muscle on the job.

 

Muscles of the Body

 

There are approximately 640 skeletal muscles in your body, making up just under half of your body weight.

 

An injury to any one of the muscles listed below may result in time missed from work and the need for medical attention.

 

Neck Muscles

 

The neck is the part of your body that separates your head from your torso. It holds many blood vessels and nerves that are important to functioning.

 

Your neck, also called the cervical spine, rotates, extends, flexes, and bends. And it has many muscles that help with these movements.

 

The sternocleidomastoid muscle bends the neck to the side and rotate it. Along with other muscles it flexes the neck and raises the sternum to help you breathe.

 

The scalene muscles, which are located at the back and sides of your neck, also help with rotating as well as bending the neck.

 

The splenius capitis and splenius cervicis are located in the back of the neck. They help rotate your head.

 

The erector spinae muscles (iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis) run the length of your back. They help with many functions, including bending the neck.

 

Finally, the longus colli and longus capitis muscles, which are found in the front of your neck, help with flexion and extension.

 

Work-related injuries to the neck muscles are often caused by overexertion, slip and fall accidents, and on-the-job auto accidents.

 

If you hurt your neck on the job, read my article “Workers Compensation Settlements for Neck Injuries.”

 

Torso Muscles (Back, Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis)

 

The torso is the area of your body that includes the back, chest, abdomen, and pelvis.

 

Work-related torso injuries are common and often involve pulled muscles. Indeed, work-related back injuries are the basis of a significant percentage of workers comp claims.

 

I have seen injuries to torso muscles from common job activities, such as lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling. And from less common (but still too frequent) work accidents such as forklift accidents and crane accidents.

 

Your torso muscles help move the neck and shoulders. They also protect you from spinal cord injury.

 

Commonly injured torso muscles include:

 

  • Erector spinae muscles (extend your vertebral column)
  • Latissimus dorsi (helps move your arms)
  • Semispinalis capitis (extends the head)
  • Multifidus (stabilizes vertebrae)
  • Interspinales (helps with extension, flexion, and rotation of your vertebral column)
  • Intertransversarii (helps with trunk flexion)
  • Intercostals and subcostales (help with ribs and inhalation)
  • Levatores costarum (helps elevate the thoracic rib cage)
  • Serratus posterior muscles (help move the ribs)
  • Transversus abdominis (compresses the ribs, providing thoracic and pelvic stability)
  • Rectus abdominis (helps with flexion of the trunk and lumbar spine)
  • Quadratus lumborum (helps with flexion of vertebral column and depression of rib cage)
  • Oblique muscles (help rotate the torso and vertebral column). I have represented many employees who injured their oblique muscles when lifting heavy objects.
  • Coccygeus (part of the pelvis)
  • Levator ani muscles (support the pelvic cavity)
  • Rhomboids
  • Trapezius
  • Levator scapulae
  • Pectoralis major and minor
  • Serratus anterio

 

Thigh Muscles (Hamstrings, Quadriceps, and Adductors)

 

The thigh is the area between your hip and knee. It is considered part of the leg.

 

Your thigh is divided into three compartments: anterior; medial; and, posterior.

 

The hamstring muscles – biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus – are found in the posterior compartment. Your hamstrings are susceptible to injury. And can take a long time to heal.

 

There are five muscles in the anterior compartment of your thigh. These are the quadriceps muscles – rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis – and the sartorius.

 

Several muscles are found in the medial compartment of the thigh as well. These include the adductor brevis, adductor longus, gracilis, and pectineus.

 

The muscles in your thigh are the largest muscles in your body. An injury to your thigh muscles may result in extensive disability, especially if you have a job that requires lifting heavy weights, running, or climbing.

 

Shoulder, Arm, Hand, and Finger Muscles

 

Work-related arm and shoulder injuries are common, especially in occupations such as nursing, construction, and truck driving.

 

Arm, shoulder, hand, and finger muscles include:

 

  • Deltoids
  • Teres major
  • Rotator cuff (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis).
  • Biceps brachii (learn about biceps tendon tears here)
  • Brachialis
  • Triceps brachii
  • Anconeus
  • Pronator teres
  • Flexor carpi radialis
  • Palmaris longus
  • Flexor carpi ulnaris
  • Flexor digitorum superficialis
  • Pronator quadratus
  • Flexor digitorum profundus
  • Flexor pollicis longus
  • Extensor carpi ulnaris
  • Brachioradialis
  • Extensor digiti minimi
  • Extensor digitorum
  • Flexor policis brevis
  • Abductor pollicis brevis
  • Adductor pollicis

 

For more information on your specific upper limb injury, read my articles on workers compensation settlements for torn rotator cuffs and job-related hand injury cases.

 

Types of Muscle Injuries

 

When evaluating a client’s workers comp claim based on a muscle injury, I try to determine whether the muscle injury is acute or chronic.

 

An acute muscle injury is the result of a specific traumatic event. For example, a work-related car crash causing whiplash, slip and fall, or fall from a ladder or roof may result in an acute muscle injury.

 

You are eligible for workers comp if you suffer an acute muscle injury because you can usually identify a specific, sudden event that caused your injury.

 

An overuse muscle injury is a chronic injury that develops over a longer period – hours, days, or even months. This type of injury results from repetitive motion that causes cumulative micro-trauma to the muscle.

 

You will have difficulty getting workers compensation benefits if you suffered an overuse muscle injury and cannot identify a specific event at work where you felt sudden pain. Virginia workers comp law does not cover repetitive motion or cumulative trauma injuries.

 

What is a Muscle Strain?

 

A muscle strain, also called a “pulled muscle,” is the stretching or tearing of muscle fibers.

 

Many muscle strains happen for one of two reasons: either you stretch the muscle too far or you force it to contract too quickly and strongly.

 

Measuring the Severity of Your Muscle Strain

 

The diagnosis of a muscle injury is usually based on patient history and a physical exam.

 

This is why it is important that you report your workplace accident to the employer, choose a physician from the offered panel, and seek medical treatment quickly.

 

Make sure you tell your doctor how you were hurt, where you have pain, and what activities or movements hurt you. And if you have any swelling or bruising, take pictures. This can help you prove that you suffered a compensable injury under the Workers Compensation Act.

 

When diagnosing your work-related muscle strain and determining the appropriate medical treatment, your doctor will classify the muscle strain into one of three grades:

 

  • Grade 1: A Grade 1 muscle strain results in mild damage to the muscle fibers and minimal loss of strength. The muscle is usually sore and tender to touch, but strength and range of motion are often normal. This type of muscle strain takes about 2-4 weeks to improve.

 

  • Grade 2: A Grade 2 muscle strain tears more muscle fibers than a Grade 2 sprain, but does not rupture the muscle completely. If you suffer this type of muscle injury you will have loss of strength and limited range of motion. Bruising and swelling are common. A Grade 2 strain can take 2-4 months to heal fully, or longer.

 

  • Grade 3: A Grade 3 muscle strain is also known as a torn muscle. It happens when an on-the-job injury causes the muscle to rip into separate pieces or shear away from the tendon it is attached to. A torn muscle is a serious injury that often results in complete loss of function. Surgery may be necessary to reattach the damaged muscle to the tendon. And there may never be full recovery, resulting in entitlement to permanent partial disability benefits.

 

Your doctor may also order an X-ray to rule out a bone fracture. Or an MRI if there is pooling of blood, also called a hematoma, because of a torn muscle.

 

What is the Difference Between a Muscle Strain or Sprain?

 

If you review your medical records after suffering a muscle injury, then you may see the term “muscle sprain” or “lumbosacral sprain” used instead of muscle strain. The words strain and sprain are often used interchangeably when describing a muscle injury.

 

But this is incorrect medically.

 

A muscle strain is an injury that affects your muscles or tendons.

 

A sprain, on the other hand, is an injury to a ligament. Ligaments are bands of cartilage that attach bone to bone.

 

What is a Muscle Contusion (Bruise)?

 

A muscle contusion, also called a muscle bruise, is another common work-related injury.

 

Most muscle contusions are minor and heal within a few days.

 

But others cause deep tissue damage that may result in complications keeping you out of work for weeks or even months.

 

What Employees are at the Greatest Risk of Suffering a Muscle Injury on the Job?

 

We are all at risk of suffering a work-related musculoskeletal injury, no matter our occupation or industry. But there are certain workplaces that expose employees to a greater risk of muscle injury.

 

Below are some job-related factors that put you at greater risk for a muscle injury:

 

  • Heavy Manual Lifting: If your job requires heavy manual lifting, then you at greater risk of pulling a muscle or rupturing it completely. I have represented many nurses, truck drivers, and warehouse workers who suffered muscle injuries while lifting or carrying patients, products, or job materials.

 

 

  • Longer Hours: If you work long hours (10+ hour shifts) or at night, you are at greater risk for fatigue. And with fatigue comes a higher likelihood of using poor technique to lift and move on the job – and more muscle injuries.

 

  • Repetitive Movement. If you work in a job that requires repetitive motion throughout the day, you are at greater risk for a muscle strain.

 

Other factors that put you at greater risk for a job-related muscle strain include:

 

 

  • Prior Injuries. Prior muscle injuries make you more susceptible to another muscle injury.

 

  • Poor Flexibility. Poor flexibility affects your posture and lifting technique, increasing the risk for a muscle injury on the job.

 

Treatment and Recovery for Muscle Injuries

 

Most work-related muscle injuries are partial thickness tears, meaning Grade 1 or 2 strains. These are treated with rest, ice, compression, elevation, and sometimes pain medication.

 

Your physician may also prescribe physical therapy.

 

When you are pain free and have full strength and range of motion, your doctor will release you to full duty. Your doctor may release you to light duty while you are recovering.

 

Complete muscle tears resulting in significant functional impairment may require surgery or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.

 

Platelet-rich plasma therapy involves drawing your blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the blood platelets, then injecting the platelets into the injury site. The hope is that the platelets will stimulate healing and regenerate the muscle, while limiting the amount of scar tissue you have. The less scar tissue, the better your chance of recovering normal range of motion.

 

How to Get Fair Compensation for Work-Related Soft Tissue and Muscle Injuries

 

Direct proof of muscle injuries is difficult to get. And because of this, the workers comp insurer and its doctor may argue that you are exaggerating the extent of your injury and disability.

 

Much of this is out of your control, but you can improve your likelihood of receiving all the workers comp benefits you deserve by documenting your injury and symptoms.

 

This means:

 

  • Take pictures of the accident scene and any visible signs of injury, such as bruising, swelling, or lacerations.
  • Get immediate medical attention and tell your doctor all of your symptoms
  • Keep a pain journal that you can use to support your testimony at hearing.

 

You can also increase the value of your workers comp muscle strain case by:

 

  • Lining up witnesses who can vouch for your credibility and testify about the differences in your pre-injury and post-injury abilities.
  • Working with your treating physicians to get supportive doctors’ statements on causation and disability.
  • Asking for appropriate referrals to surgeons, physical therapy, and pain management.
  • Hiring an expert witness to explain how the mechanism of injury caused your current symptoms.

 

Let a Top-Rated Attorney Help with Your Work-Related Muscle Injury Claim

 

Muscle injuries are common. And because of this, they are often considered “minor” injuries by employers and workers compensation insurance carriers.

 

But muscles strains and contusions are serious injuries that can affect your ability to earn a living, causing financial stress for you and your family.

 

If you suffered a muscle injury on the job, call me for help with your workers comp: 804-251-1620 or 757-810-5614. I represent injured employees around the state. And am ready to help you.

 

Corey Pollard
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