Common Injuries that Happen at Work
From car accidents to slips on wet floors, these are some of the most common injuries that happen at work
Workplace safety is important for everyone. It doesn't matter if you work at an office, warehouse, restaurant, construction site, hospital, or other public service position like police or firefighters, work injuries happen.
Here are some of the most common work injuries:
Car Accidents During Work Related Activities
If you’ve been involved in a car accident while driving for a work related reason, you may be able to receive workers compensation. It can be complicated, so you will want to talk with an attorney to see if your vehicle accident qualifies you to file a workers comp claim. Driving your vehicle for a specific work task, such as:
- Driving to and from a worksite
- Delivery or making a delivery for work
- Driving another employee for business purposes
- Running work-related errands
However, keep in mind that car accidents that occur during a commute is not covered in a workers compensation claim. If you have a driving job, like taxi-cab driver, truck driver, or parcel delivery driver there are even more ways injuries happen while driving and it's best to consult with an experienced workers compensation attorney if you've been hurt or in a car accident while on the job.
Slips, Trips & Falls at Work
A slip and fall work injury happens when an individual trips or falls while walking, running, or standing during the hours of employment. This type of injury often occurs because of slippery surfaces or uneven ground. Slip and fall injuries can occur anywhere, such as inside a building or outside on a sidewalk. Did you know that slips, trips, and falls cause nearly 700 fatalities per year and many more injurious accident in the workplace according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Burns from a Work Accident
Burns are one of the most common workplace injuries. They can cause serious damage to skin tissue, resulting in scarring and even death. If you sustain a burn, seek medical attention immediately. Download the "Preventing Burns from Hot Stuff" from the OSHA Website.
Musculoskeletal Disorders: Sprains & Strains While Working
Workers in many different industries and occupations can be exposed to risk factors at work, such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively. Exposure to these known risk factors for MSDs increases a worker's risk of injury. These muscular disorders can range from mild to severe, and can occur at any age. This includes sprains of the ankle, knee, neck or back.
Work-Related Back Pain or Injury
Back injuries result from damage, wear, or trauma to the bones, muscles, or other tissues of the back. Back disorders can develop gradually as a result of micro-trauma brought about by repetitive activity over time or can be the product of a single traumatic event. Back pain injury from work is one of the most common reasons people visit doctors. The question is though, is your back pain work related or not?
If you’ve suffered from one of these most common work injuries, know your benefits and if you are entitled to compensation.