Rangeley Bailey | Workers Compensation | Workers' Compensation Blog |
Coworker helping up another injured coworker in the storage room

Lifting heavy objects is one of the most frequent causes of work injuries. Unfortunately, too many workplaces fail to ensure employees have the training and equipment to safely lift and move heavy items. If you lift heavy objects as part of your job, knowing how to prevent lifting injuries is crucial to avoiding debilitating injuries that can leave you out of work.

Common Injuries That Occur from Heavy Lifting on the Job

Heavy lifting can put intense physical strain on the body and cause damage and injuries, such as:

  • Back injuries, including herniated spinal discs
  • Neck injuries, including strains or aggravating nerves
  • Shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff tears
  • Knee injuries, including ligament sprains or tears
  • Muscle strains and sprains
  • Bone fractures

How to Prevent Lifting Injuries at Work

Employers should provide their employees with equipment and training to prevent injuries when lifting heavy objects.

Workers who frequently lift heavy objects can also follow these tips to help prevent lifting injuries at work:

  • Assess the load. Check the weight of any object you lift before picking it up to move it. Avoid lifting anything that is too heavy or prevents you from moving comfortably.
  • Warm up and stretch. Consider doing a few stretches to warm up muscles and tissues that will take the strain of lifting.
  • Maintain proper posture. Always lift using your legs, not your back. Keep your spine straight as you pick up and put down objects.
  • Use mechanical aids. For hefty objects, consider using equipment such as dollies, winches, and pneumatic lifts.
  • Organize and plan your workspace. Move any clutter or tripping hazards out of your path before you lift.
  • Communicate and seek assistance. Lift with help from other people whenever possible.
  • Take breaks and rotate tasks. If you need to carry something over a longer distance, take frequent breaks and switch positions with other people helping you lift.
  • Training and education. Ask your employer to provide training on properly lifting and carrying objects you need to move as part of your job.
  • Stay physically fit. Keeping fit and building strength will make lifting heavy objects more manageable and reduce the strain on your body.
  • Report hazards and injuries. Stop lifting if you feel pain or discomfort. If you suffer an injury, tell your supervisor and seek medical treatment.

How Our Lawyers Help People with Workplace Lifting Injuries

At Jebaily Law Firm, our legal team diligently pursues compensation for clients who have suffered workplace lifting injuries. Our firm will handle all the details of your case so you can focus on treating your injuries and getting back to work.

We can help by:

  • Investigating the work accident to secure evidence for your injury claim
  • Documenting your medical expenses and financial losses to help you receive maximum compensation
  • Filing your workers’ compensation claims
  • Taking your claims to administrative hearings to fight for the compensation you deserve

Contact a Florence Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you suffered an injury at work due to heavy lifting, the Florence personal injury lawyers at Jebaily Law Firm want to help you pursue the compensation you need for your medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost income, and other losses. Contact us today for a free no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options with an experienced repetitive lifting injury attorney.

Rangeley Bailey
Rangeley C. Bailey, Esq.

Partner Rangeley Bailey

Rangeley Bailey is a South Carolina attorney with a heart for people and a passion for justice. A partner at Jebaily Law Firm in Florence, she represents individuals in Personal Injury and Social Security Disability cases—clients who are often facing some of the hardest moments of their lives. Rangeley brings not just legal experience, but empathy, grit, and a belief that everyone deserves to be heard.

Dillon Native, Lifelong Florence Resident, South Carolina Law School Graduate

Born in Dillon and raised in Florence, Rangeley is a proud product of small-town roots and strong community values. She graduated cum laude from Columbia College with a degree in history and a minor in Leadership. She went on to earn her law degree from the University of South Carolina. After law school, she began her legal career clerking for Circuit Court Judge John Milling before moving into civil litigation and ultimately dedicating her practice to helping injured individuals and those denied the benefits they deserve.

Rangeley is a former municipal judge for the City of Florence. She also served as President of the Florence County Bar and was appointed to the South Carolina Access to Justice Commission, reflecting her commitment to making the legal system more accessible to all.  She also recently completed the McLeod Fellows program, where she learned in depth about how McLeod Hospital is run.

Outside of work, Rangeley is a mom to two college students at USC and dog mom to Lexie and Sandy. She enjoys strong coffee, Gamecock football, and a good laugh with friends. Her approach to law—and life—is grounded in compassion, common sense, and an unwavering belief in doing the right thing.

Volunteer Awards from the American Heart Association

Representing injured workers means that Rangeley must keep up to date on medical developments. That is a requirement she particularly enjoys. Her legal work has also sparked her interest in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and led to extensive involvement in the American Heart Association. That association has bestowed numerous volunteer fundraising awards on her.

She’s active in the Florence County Bar Association and has held several offices, culminating in the presidency in 2010. She was a Commissioner for the South Carolina Access to Justice Commission.

 

Admitted to South Carolina Bar: 2002

Years of Legal Experience: 24

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