Workplace accidents are an unfortunate reality for some workers in various industries, including healthcare and construction. They can lead to serious injuries, forcing you to stay home for a bit. In these cases, workers’ compensation claims help employees cover their medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. Most organizations have come a long way in safety awareness and setting up accident prevention strategies. But injuries do still happen; these are some common injuries across industries.
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Trips, Slips, and Falls
Injuries relating to tripping and falling are the most common. They amount to one-third of compensation claims annually. It can be because of uneven surfaces, poor lighting, wet and slippery floors, or other obstacles. You can sustain serious injuries like spinal injuries, concussions, bone fractures, or even traumatic brain injury from a fall. If you are lucky, you may get away with a few bruises depending on the kind of fall.
Cuts and Lacerations
A lot of workers have also pursued compensation claims because of severe cuts and lacerations at the workplace. It mostly happens in food service industries, manufacturing, or any other place where employees interact with sharp objects. To avoid deep bruises and cuts, you should never leave sharp tools and equipment unattended. Also, ensure you sharpen dull blades to reduce the risk of cutting yourself.
Machinery Accidents
These are not only common claims but also the most dangerous ones. A heavy machine can cause a lot of damage, some of which might be hard to recover from. Accidents can happen due to faulty machinery or misuse of the equipment. Serious injuries lead to high medical costs and future health complications. Claims help you hit the ground running after the whole ordeal is done. If you work with machines daily, report potential hazards to upper management as soon as you spot them.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accident claims are common than you think, especially for employees in the transportation industry. Driving is part of the job, which is why you might be entitled to workers’ compensation. Alot of jobs like delivery services, mail, taxi services, schools, and construction involve driving. More drivers are on the road and exposed to traffic hazards each day. Vehicle accidents can leave you with catastrophic injuries, causing temporary or permanent disabilities. If you are involved in a work-related accident, you should look for compensation claims you are eligible for.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Repetitive stress injury can happen to any employee. These are injuries that develop over time because of doing the same motion repeatedly. These motions can cause wear and tear to your joints or other body parts. However, this can be a hard claim because to get compensated, you must demonstrate the connection between your job and the injury. If there have been similar injuries from past workers, you might have an easier time with the claim.
Burns
These are tissue damage caused by chemicals, steam, electricity, heat, radiation, or sunlight. Employees prone to these injuries are mostly in the food industry or any workplace with chemicals. Most companies will offer personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent such injuries. Even inhaling smoke can cause burns internally. Ensure you wear the required gear and be extra careful when handling hazardous chemicals. Exposure to harmful substances is also an occupational injury or illness. It can cause more severe injuries over time, which is why it’s important to report when you think you have been exposed.
Conclusion
Sometimes, work-related injuries are inevitable, but you should always do your part to ensure you stay safe. But if the unfortunate happens, you should take the right steps when making a compensation claim.
