Have you ever wondered what causes the most injuries at work? Most of them are related to people, but what about common workplace accidents caused by objects and equipment?
There are employees that have to work with hazardous materials every day and take the chance to do so without getting hurt. A work injury is painful and inconvenient. Many plaintiffs are unaware that their injury may be covered under workers’ compensation, and many of those who have suffered a work-related injury do not know how to pursue a claim through the workers’ compensation system. The best way to ensure that you have a strong case is by hiring an experienced attorney who can protect your rights in court and help you get the money you deserve for medical bills and lost wages.
Workers’ compensation is designed to protect workers from injury while they are at work. If you are injured at work, you may qualify for benefits such as medical care, lost wages, and rehabilitation services. It is important to understand why you need a personal injury attorney after an accident on the job because if you do not have one or if your case is mishandled by those responsible for investigating your claim, your rights could be compromised or even lost entirely. Knowing the most common types of injuries can help you guard against them.
The most common injuries that occur in the workplace include:
Falls
Falls are the most common workplace injuries in the United States and account for more than 1 million lost workdays each year.
The number of falls continues to rise because of lack of proper training and safety measures from some companies. This can lead to long-term complications like chronic pain and memory problems. Workers who suffer from a fall on the job can be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers who fall at work and sustain serious injuries may also have legal claims against their employer.
Falls can be prevented by using safety equipment such as ladders, grab bars, and fall arrest systems. The most common type of fall prevention device is a personal fall arrest system (PFAS).
Slips and trips
More than half of the people who are hurt at work have slipped or tripped. The risk of injury is higher in rainy, icy, or snowy conditions. However, slips and trips can happen at any time, but they often happen when workers have to walk on wet floors, stairs, or slippery equipment.
Slips and trips usually happen when workers are moving around or walking up and down stairs. This can result from awkward or improper movement on slippery floors, wet floors, insufficient traction, and poor lighting conditions. Workers can also slip on damaged or wet surfaces on a daily basis without realizing it until it’s too late. They can also occur while lifting heavy objects, pushing carts, or carrying boxes.
Struck by objects, including vehicles
These accidents often involve transportation vehicles, such as trucks and buses, but can also occur with construction equipment or other machinery. Injuries from being struck by an object can range from minor bruises and cuts to more severe injuries that require medical attention. In some cases, a worker may suffer from a job-related injury that does not require hospitalization but could have been prevented if proper safety measures were taken.
Burns and scalds
Burns are skin damage due to heat and usually caused by hot liquids, steam, hot water, and chemicals. These types of injuries are usually caused by careless actions or equipment.
Burns can affect any part of the body, including the face and genitals. Several types of burns can occur depending on how hot the liquid was when it came into contact with the skin. A burn injury is a third-degree burn that involves the entire surface of the skin. The area surrounding the burn is red, swollen, painful and may blister.
A second-degree burn involves only the top layer of skin (epidermis). It causes redness and swelling, but no blisters. The skin color is similar to that of an electrical burn (a deep red color). Second-degree burns usually heal within a few days without scarring.
Scalds are skin damage that results from exposure to hot liquids like water or steam. Scalds affect both adults and children because they can cause third-degree burns (burns that go through the skin). The risk of burns and scalds increases as you work with higher temperatures or higher concentrations of chemicals.
Dislocated joints
Dislocated joints can occur at any point along the spine, but they are most likely to occur in the lower back. A dislocated joint occurs when a part of the body moves from its normal position and is not able to move back into place. This can be caused by a blow, fall, or other incidents that cause an injury to the joint. This can happen when you fall off your bike, hit your head on the ground, or slip on ice while walking across a parking lot. The impact forces the upper body forward (and possibly down) onto the back side of your foot or shinbone, which causes it to pop out of place.
Another cause is twisting your wrist inwards (medial epicondylitis) or outward (radial epicondylitis), which causes tendinitis that results in pain and swelling in your forearm muscles. These types of injuries often occur after repetitive tasks like typing for long periods of time on a computer keyboard or using a screwdriver for extended periods of time.
In some cases, a dislocated joint can become infected or become inflamed if it is not treated quickly enough by medical professionals. This can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome, or carpal tunnel syndrome, is a condition that affects the median nerve and results in numbness, tingling, or pain in the hand and/or wrist. It can also cause weakness in the hand and numbness in the fingers.
The condition is often caused by repetitive tasks such as typing, sewing and playing musical instruments (which may lead to tendon damage). The symptoms usually occur gradually over time and worsen with age. Carpal tunnel syndrome often occurs in middle-aged adults who have had repetitive hand motions for many years.
How To Report Your Workplace Accident
If you’re injured on the job, you’ll need to file a report with your employer. This is the first step in your claim. Your employer must respond within a certain time period. You can report the injury to your employer by completing an accident report form or by calling the company’s employee assistance program (EAP) hotline.
The EAP will ask you questions about what happened and whether it should be reported to OSHA or other agencies. If you don’t have insurance, tell them how much money it will cost to treat your injuries before they decide whether to file a claim on your behalf. Here are some steps to follow:
- Report it to your supervisor, manager, or Human Resources department.
- Report it to your state’s occupational safety and health agency, which can investigate and issue fines or citations.
- Call the local police department, even if you think the accident was not serious enough to warrant a report or investigation by law enforcement.
- Contact an attorney who specializes in workplace accidents and injury claims.
Filing a Worker’s Compensation Claim
If you are injured in a workplace accident, you may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. You can file a claim as soon as you know that you were injured at work and need medical treatment for your injuries.
You will be given a medical exam and may need to provide medical records. If your injury is serious or prolonged, you may also be required to take part in a rehabilitation program. If you are unable to work because of an accident at work, you are entitled to receive compensation for lost wages and other benefits due to your injury.