Common Delivery Driver Injuries

The modern world cannot do without delivery drivers. People love to shop online. Year after year, the goods being transported to people’s homes increase. Of course, some goods have always been transported by delivery drivers. However, the amount of goods being delivered to people’s homes today is not the same as it was years ago. Because of this, it’s not surprising that the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are almost 1.5 million delivery drivers in America.

Delivery drivers are quite important, but all the joy these workers bring to people at home can come at a price. Delivery drivers are prone to suffering different kinds of injuries while at work. This article discusses some common delivery driver injuries.

Delivery Drivers Face Many Risks While Working

Many people assume that the job of delivery drivers is only to drive, knock on people’s doors, and ask them to sign for their deliveries. This is not true. The job of delivery drivers may also include loading and unloading vans, trucks, or other vehicles and even operating forklifts. Putting in long hours doing this strenuous work can result in a delivery driver sustaining serious injuries.

Common Injuries Delivery Drivers Are Prone To Sustaining

The following are some of the most common injuries delivery drivers are prone to sustaining while working;

Back and Neck Injuries

Delivery drivers spend a lot of hours behind the wheel. For example, a truck delivery driver can spend more than ten hours a day behind the wheel. Sitting for such a long time can lead to chronic back pain when, for example, the discs separating the vertebrae suffer pressure and become compacted. Unfortunately, some delivery drivers are forced to live with chronic back pain for a long time. This also makes them more susceptible to acute injuries that further aggravate this underlying condition.  In addition, the sheer amount of time that they spend driving increases their odds of getting into a motor vehicle accident which can also injure their neck and back.

Shoulder Injuries

A delivery driver can sustain shoulder injuries in many ways. For instance, a delivery driver can sustain a shoulder injury when loading and unloading their vehicle. Many of the packages and deliveries can be very heavy causing strain on the shoulder joints and tendons and could result in dislocations, labral tears and rotator cuff repairs.

Knee Injuries

As stated, many of these packages can be very heavy and awkward.  Oftentimes the driver will carry these packages from the truck to the receipient’s door.  This puts a tremendous amount of stress on their legs and knees and exposes the drivers to other twisting and tripping accidents.  This can result in meniscus and ACL tears or joint dislocations. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The constant turning and gripping of the steering wheel can result in a delivery driver developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Some common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include pain, loss of motion, numbness, and tingling in the hands. This injury is considered a repetitive stress injury.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Delivery Drivers

Fortunately, Illinois law allows delivery drivers who sustain injuries while working to recover worker’s compensation benefits. Therefore, if you experienced an injury while working as a delivery driver in Illinois, you should reach out to a qualified worker’s compensation attorney. An attorney can help you determine if you have a valid claim for workers’ compensation benefits.

In Illinois, workers’ compensation benefits that delivery drivers can recover include;

• Temporary total disability benefits
• Permanent partial disability benefits
• Medical treatment
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Permanent total disability benefits
• Temporary partial disability benefits

Apart from reaching out to an attorney after getting injured as a delivery driver, you should notify your employer of the injury, complete an accident report, and seek medical attention.

Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer at Connolly Injury Law

If you have suffered an injury during your employment as a delivery driver and need a skilled and dedicated attorney, contact a Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer at Connolly Injury Law.

Source:

bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/delivery-truck-drivers-and-driver-sales-workers.htm