In California, the construction industry is always one of the most dangerous industries to be employed in, and that’s just one of the jobs where a worker may hurt their back. Different job duties for tradesmen and laborers like lifting, carrying, raising and lowering heavy items while twisting and bending can cause serious back injuries, some of which might require surgery.

Don’t expect a back injury to be limited to your back. Depending on the location of a back injury, pressure can be put on spinal nerves. That’s likely to result in radiating pain in the neck, arms, buttocks and legs. It might even alternate between pain, numbness and tingling.

Depending on how an accident and injury occurred, a back injury can range from mild strains and sprains to catastrophic paralysis. Then there are the bulging and herniated spinal discs or even spinal fractures in a serious accident. Most of those will eventually require surgery. The exact source of back pain might be difficult to pinpoint without expensive MRI diagnostic studies. Of course, an employer’s insurer might not want to pay for those studies. Instead, it will argue that if there is a back injury, it likely isn’t work-related, or your pain is simply a result of the aging process. Be prepared to encounter every legal attempt at devaluing your claim. You’re going to need efficient and effective legal help.