February 3, 2012
The snow overnight has many in the Denver-area out shoveling their driveways for the first time this year. But many people don’t realize how dangerous shoveling snow can be if proper precautions are not made.
In an article released by Colorado’s 9 News this morning, it was stated that as many as 11,500 trips to the emergency room are to blame for snow removal each year in our country.
A new 17-year study published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Emergency Medicine discusses the most common health hazards associated with snow removal. They found that shoveling snow could sometimes lead to bad backs, broken bones, head injuries, and heart problems.
From 1990 to 2006, researchers examined over 195,000 cases of injuries related to snow removal. They found that the most common form of injuries were sprains and pulls in soft tissue, especially in the lower back. Some resulted more in broken hands, arms, hips, or skull bones. Heart complications were also reported in 7 percent of the cases.
While most of the injuries were adult men, more than 700 of those injured were children under the age of 17.
If you have been seriously injured while shoveling snow at work, you may be eligible for Colorado Workers’ Compensation. Contact McDivitt Law Firm for a free case evaluation.
