If you work as a truck driver and end up developing blood clots, it may be your career that is to blame. Your employer should have talked to you about safety tips to help avoid clots, but if not, then one of those could be dangerous or life-threatening.
Deep-vein thrombosis is a serious medical conditions that truck drivers are prone to. This is because sitting for many hours on end allow blood to pool in the legs. Normally, DVT forms in the deep veins of the legs. In a worst-case scenario, the clot could break loose and travel to the lungs, arteries or other areas. Then, it could kill you or leave you disabled.
Why are truck drivers at risk of deep-vein thrombosis?
Truck drivers are at risk of deep-vein thrombosis because they often sit down for long periods of time, sometimes six or seven hours on end, for example. Staying active is one way to help prevent DVT, but because of the length of time drivers are supposed to be behind the wheel, staying active is difficult.
Some additional risk factors for developing blood clots from deep-vein thrombosis include:
· Heart failure
· Previous blood clots
· Varicose veins
· Inflammatory disorders
· Hormone therapies that increase estrogen
· Trauma to the bones or major veins in the legs
· Previous blood clots
· Heart failure
If you smoke, are older or are obese, you’re also at a higher risk of DVT.
Know that most cases of DVTs are not dangerous and will dissolve on their own. Staying healthy and maintaining an ideal body weight helps minimize the risk of developing this condition. If you do develop it, however, remember that you can make a claim for workers’ compensation if you can link it to your employment.
Can you get workers’ compensation if you develop DVT?
If you develop deep-vein thrombosis, it’s possible that you could get workers’ compensation. You will need to show that you sit for many hours on end and that your condition developed as a result of your work. This is sometimes hard to do, which is why the claims are sometimes debated.
