What Are the Most Common Workplace Injuries?

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What Are the Most Common Workplace Injuries?

Workplace injuries are quite common, so it’s always a good idea to be educated on the most common workplace injuries and what to do next if one should occur. Different jobs have different risks, but this article aims to provide you with general information about the most common workplace injuries that people experience. The more knowledge you have about a workplace injury, the more likely it is that you will be able to successfully recover compensation in your case. 

At Morgan & Morgan, we do everything in our power to get injured workers the compensation and the justice they deserve. We treat all of our clients with respect and compassion while fighting for them every step of the way. Morgan & Morgan is always ready to help. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 
 
Many workplace injuries are totally preventable, but they often occur because of an employer’s negligence or carelessness. Depending upon the type of work that you do, the risks you encounter at work will vary. The following are some of the scenarios under which the most common workplace injuries occur.

Overexertion 

Overexertion can occur when a worker lifts, pushes, pulls, or carries objects at work beyond their capabilities, resulting in an injury. Overexertion is the second leading cause of workplace injuries and often results in muscle strains and sprains, tendon or ligament issues, and back, neck, and shoulder injuries.  

Slip and Fall

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 25 percent of all workplace injuries are slip and fall-related. Additionally, OSHA reports that most slip and fall accidents in the workplace could have easily been avoided. Some of the most common things that lead to slip and fall incidents in the workplace include the following:

  •        Uneven pavement/floor
  •        Poor lighting conditions
  •        Narrow or unsafe stairs
  •        Failure to shovel snow and treat icy sidewalks
  •        Failure to clean up spilled liquids and solvents

In some states, you might be able to file a lawsuit in court. In other states, you might only be able to file for workers’ compensation unless your employer was grossly negligent. No matter what state you’re in, if you were injured during work due to a slip and fall, you should contact a lawyer to see what your next steps should be. An experienced attorney can help you determine your best course of action so you can recover compensation if your employer was negligent. A good lawyer will get you the justice you deserve.

Falling From Heights

Some jobs are just incredibly dangerous by nature. In any work situation where you have to climb up very high, the job can pose quite the safety risk. For example, roofers who are almost always climbing ladders and have no harness of any kind, and many other types of construction workers who must work at great heights, are at risk of serious injury.
 
Workers who fall from great heights are much more likely to suffer severe injuries or death than other kinds of common workplace injuries. Spinal, neck, and head injuries are prevalent in these cases.

Vehicle Crashes

If you spend a lot of your working time operating a vehicle, your employer or their insurance company will likely have to compensate you if you are in a vehicular accident during your shift. For example, some postal workers spend almost all of their time driving around and delivering packages and letters. Delivery drivers spend a significant amount of time in a truck or van as well. Statistically speaking, the more time you spend in a work vehicle, the more likely you are to get into an accident, so it’s important to know that you might be entitled to compensation if this happens to you.
 
If you travel a lot for your job, you also might be entitled to compensation if you get injured traveling. A lot of the compensation rules are very state and job-specific, so if you are injured in a vehicle accident in the course of your employment, you should contact an attorney right away. They can help take you through the next steps and assist you in filing a claim.

Machinery Injuries

According to OSHA, a worker is injured on the job every seven seconds. Machinery accidents make up approximately 25 percent of all workplace injuries that result in employees needing to take time off from work. Occupations where machinery accidents occur often include construction, manufacturing, and transportation. No matter how careful you are, machinery accidents happen, and they can be very serious. Despite safety checks and workers being extra careful, machines can malfunction when you least expect it. If you suffered an injury related to a machinery accident, contact a lawyer right away. Very often these types of injuries can be debilitating.

Repetitive Motion Injury

Many workplace injuries don’t happen in one instant; rather, they occur from repeating the same motions over and over for a long period of time. For example, many postal workers carry packages and mail in a bag that hangs heavily on the same shoulder each day. This can put a lot of stress on their shoulders and body. Common workplace injuries that postal workers suffer from include back issues, shoulder issues, rotator cuff tears, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Some other examples of repetitive motion injuries include tendonitis and bursitis, which are very common in construction and landscape workers.

Burns and Lacerations

Other common workplace injuries include burns and lacerations. This happens often in the restaurant industry. Chefs and other kitchen employees often cut or burn themselves accidentally while cooking or preparing food. Burns and lacerations can occur in many other occupations as well, such as construction work and among firefighters. According to OSHA, there are more than 12,000 burn injuries reported every year. The number is likely much higher than this because many minor cases go unreported.

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FAQ

Get answers to commonly asked questions about our legal services and learn how we may assist you with your case.

  • Why Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer if I’m Injured at Work?

    If you’re injured at work, and you have to seek medical attention or take time off from work, it’s essential to contact an attorney for several reasons. 

    1. Deadlines. If you wish to file a lawsuit or a workers’ compensation claim as a result of an injury, you have to make sure that you file your claim on time. If you don’t, you’ll likely miss out on anything you would’ve been entitled to. When you hire an attorney, they will make sure that you don’t miss your deadline. An experienced lawyer handles these types of cases daily and will quickly be able to determine the correct deadline for filing your specific type of case.
    2. Avoid Mistakes. When dealing with common workplace injuries, even small mistakes can end up being very costly. Whether it’s something as small as filling out paperwork incorrectly, or something more significant like forgetting to submit certain documents, a lawyer can help you with this process. They will make sure that you have everything that you need to submit, and ensure that it is all filed correctly for a claim or lawsuit.
    3. Ensure You Don’t Get Taken Advantage Of. Anytime you hire an attorney to help you with a lawsuit or a workers’ compensation claim, that hiring will show everyone involved that you are taking this seriously. Just the presence of a lawyer can sometimes make an employer more diligent and honest. If you speak with your employer and try to submit a claim on your own, you run the risk of being taken advantage of. Chances are, everyone else involved in the process has a lot more experience in dealing with injury claims than you do, so hiring an attorney can help you quite a bit.
  • What Should I Do if I’m Injured?

    The first thing you should do when you’re injured get medical attention if you need it. Even if you don’t have any visible injuries, it’s wise to get yourself checked out in case you decide you want to file a workers’ comp claim or a lawsuit in the future. If you don’t ever receive medical attention, it’s not likely that you will be successful in a lawsuit or a workers’ comp claim. You should also always take photos of any injures you suffer. After you finish receiving medical treatment, obtain your medical records as well. 
     
    Any time you are injured while working, you should contact a lawyer right away. They can help make sure you don’t miss any critical deadlines. They can also make sure that you file for the maximum compensation available to you. When you hire a lawyer, people know to take you and your claim seriously. 

  • When Should I Report My Injury to My Employer?

    You should always report your injury as soon as possible. In many states, there’s a short deadline in which you have to report your injury to your employer, or you won’t be eligible to receive any kind of compensation. In some states, the window is as short as four days.

  • What if I Report to My Employer After the Deadline?

    It depends on the state. In some states, you forfeit your rights to any compensation if you report your injury to your employer after the deadline. In other states, you can still receive some benefits and compensation, but not as much as if you’d reported it on time. 

  • Contact Morgan & Morgan for Assistance

    While this article discusses the most common workplace injuries, this is not exhaustive. There are many different types of injuries that a person can sustain while at work. If you were injured on your job and you believe you’re entitled to worker’s comp or some other type of compensation, contact Morgan & Morgan today. We have attorneys throughout the United States, so no matter where you are located, we can represent you. When you hire Morgan & Morgan, you won’t pay any fees until we successfully win your case and you are awarded compensation. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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