Loading and Unloading Injuries

Individuals employed in the trucking industry face a wide number of threats on a daily basis. Those who drive face all of the dangers of the roads combined with the insensitivity of other drivers to the special needs of large trucks. While the road is full of pitfalls and potential hazards, there is no more dangerous time to an individual working around a truck than the process of loading and unloading goods.

On an annual basis, the processes of loading and unloading trucks and 18-wheelers create a significant number of injuries that are not related to driving trucks at all. The injuries can be due to a variety of factors – anything from improper lifting techniques to industrial machinery accidents.

The loading dock is one of the most dangerous areas for any truck driver. The dock of a lumberyard or other site or a construction site always involves some degree of risk. Steel bands employed to move the cargo can slip. When they slip, they can easily sever a finger, cause deep cuts, or amputate other extremities. If on the loading dock proper equipment is not used, strains and sprains are quite common. Common injuries include back injuries, herniated discs, and chronic pain.

Once the cargo is on or in the truck, the risks of loading are not over. If the cargo has not been loaded properly, it can shift and cause accidents. In the event of an accident, improperly secured loads can shift and cause further damage to both the driver and the truck.

Contact a Charleston Workers’ Comp Lawyer

If you have been injured during the loading or unloading of a truck or other conveyance, contact the Charleston workers compensation lawyers of the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800.