Common Workplace Injuries
Workplaces have a lot of potential for accidents and occupational injuries. According to the National Safety Council, 156,948,000 people experience a workplace injury, with 4,493 people sustaining fatal injuries. No matter what your occupation, every worker deserves a safe working environment.
Injuries in the workplace can have far-reaching effects. Many people need to take time off to recover from their injury. But taking time off work can complicate your life debt from unpaid bills and lost wages piles up. Workers’ compensation benefits can equal out this imbalance. But when your employer or their insurance company denies or downplays the necessity for benefits, then the burden falls on your shoulder.
Hiring an experienced attorney with a track record of getting results in workers’ comp cases can help you put your life back together. If you’ve been injured on the job, contact Farah & Farah for your free, no-obligation case review.
Types of Accidents in the Workplace
There are several types of injuries that workers can sustain in the workplace. Whether you work in a high-risk industry like construction or manufacturing or work at a desk, you can still get injured at work. Some of the most common injuries workers in Florida and Georgia include:
Vehicle Accidents
Vehicle accidents account for about 40% of accidents in the U.S. total Many people regularly drive as part of their jobs. Vehicle accidents can include everyone from commercial truck drivers and salespeople, to folks commuting from one office building to another.
This workplace injury can drastically affect your health.
Slip, Trip and Fall Injuries
Slips, trips, and falls are the primary cause of workdays lost due to injury and are the most common type of work injury. They account for 1/5 of emergency room visits in the U.S. There are many slip and fall hazards at a workplace, including wet surfaces, cluttered floors, wires and cords, and falls from ladders. Slip, and falls can cause brain injuries and severe injuries.
Overexertion
Overexertion is a significant cause of workers’ compensation claims. Injuries from overexertion can affect ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Some of the most common workplace injuries are caused by lifting, pulling, tossing, or pushing heavy objects. This can cause injuries to ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Overexertion can also affect a person’s blood pressure and lead to cardiac problems.
Repetitive Motion
Although they are among the most common workplace injuries, repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) are often not discussed along with other workplace injuries. While these injuries do not usually have traumatic causes, they can affect a person’s ability to work and enjoy their life.RSIs are most common in industries requiring workers to perform the same motions repeatedly (retail, manufacturing, construction, etc.). One of the most common RSIs is carpal tunnel, affecting the wrists and hands.
Falling Objects and/or Equipment
Falling objects and/or equipment have been ranked by OSHA as one of the top four causes of construction death, accounting for 47,000 nonfatal injuries a year. Many industries feature heavy equipment and other objects that can fall and cause crush injuries. Workers can also get caught in between heavy objects and sustain serious injuries. These incidents often occur when companies fail to inspect and maintain equipment or when workers fail to follow proper protocol when using heavy equipment. They can also happen due to improperly secured shelving, improper storage of items, and other preventable hazards.
Disease and Illness
Disease and Illness due to workplace exposure includes any event or exposure that occurred in the workplace. Every year these injuries affect over a million people.
Over long periods of time, this can lead to a worker developing lung diseases and various types of cancer. One of the most well-known types of cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Mesothelioma has no cure, and workers are often able to obtain compensation for workplace exposure.
Violence
Violence on the job site is the third-leading cause of fatal occupational injury in the United States. Violence is a major issue for workplaces, and it can affect the safety of the workplace. According to OSHA, violence includes any act or threat of physical harm, harassment, intimidation, or other dangerous behavior. This definition includes verbal abuse, physical assault, and premature death.
How to Avoid Workplace Injuries
You deserve to work in a safe environment. Whether you’re on a job site or in the workplace, there are many actions you can take to report and avoid workplace injuries. You have the right to safe job conditions.
If you’re noticing that you’re developing a workplace injury like overexertion, you can ask your employer to provide you with equipment like chairs that support your neck and back. Additionally, if you are afraid for your safety, you should be able to report hazards without your employer retaliating.
If You’ve Been Injured on the Job, Farah & Farah Can Help
After experiencing a work injury, you may be dealing with skyrocketing debt from costly medical bills. This feeling may be worse if you are also experiencing wage loss. If you have suffered any of these types of work injuries, you shouldn’t have to fight for justice alone. Start your workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible, and contact an experienced workers’ comp claim lawyer.
Farah & Farah experienced attorneys have helped injured workers get the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one have experienced an on the job injury, you may be entitled to protection. Schedule a free, no-obligation case review with our legal experts now.
