In Mordhorst v. Dakota Truck Underwriters, a 22-year-old claimant was working for a furniture company doing deliveries. One day while on the job, he was delivering a sofa that weighed nearly 300 pounds. While delivering this couch, it fell off the back of the delivery truck and landed on claimant’s head and shoulders. He was knocked to the ground and was rendered unconscious for a short period of time.
The day after this workplace accident, claimant went to get medical treatment for his injuries. He was eventually seen by two physicians and treated by a number of physical therapists. He claimed an injured back and neck. He was given an MRI, and that test showed he had a herniated disc in his spine. His doctors also observed that his posture was forward in such a way as to indicate he was trying to compensate the pain in his neck and back. This type of compensation will often result in additional damage to the patient because he is constantly carrying himself in an unnatural manner. Continue reading