7 Most Common Workplace Injuries
Millions of people are injured at work every year. According to CBS, an American employee becomes injured every 7 seconds, with 12,900 workers being injured every day and more than 4 million getting injured every year. Here are seven of the most common ways people become injured at work.
Slipping, Tripping, and Falling
When people are at work, they may slip, trip, or fall. This happens most frequently on wet floors or across snowy walkways. People who work in stores, as groundskeepers, or in security are most likely to experience this type of injury. Slips, trips, and falls can cause a variety of conditions including sprained ankles, strained backs, and head injuries like concussions. A worker could even break a bone or experience a severe enough injury to cause him or her pain and suffering for the rest of his or her life. A Somerville workers’ compensation lawyer can help you to file a claim.
Struck By Something
Another common way that people are injured at work is when something strikes them. An item may fall off a shelf or another worker may accidentally drop something. Someone may bump into you and cause you to fall against a filing cabinet or a bookshelf, resulting in an injury. Those who work in retail, an office setting, or a restaurant are most likely to experience an injury by being struck by something.
Machine-Based Accidents
Machinery accidents happen when workers are mutilated or crushed by large pieces of equipment. Most of these types of incidents happen at construction sites or in factories. When accidents like this happen, they usually result in major medical costs. Today, most states have laws in place that require companies to train workers on the proper use of equipment before allowing them to operate it. There are maintenance requirements to make sure that machines are kept in good working order. Companies are also required to keep their workers up to speed on how to use the equipment.
Exposure to Fires or Explosions
Many American workers make their living doing things that are dangerous. They may work with harmful chemicals or volatile substances. Because of this, they are at risk of injury due to fires or explosions. When workers are exposed to fires or explosions, they can be killed. They may also suffer from:
- Hearing loss
- Inhalation issues
- Blindness
- Brain injuries
- Lung damage
- Cardiac arrest
- Respiratory issues
Driving Accidents
One of the top causes of being injured on the job is driving. Truck drivers are at a high risk of this since they spend so much time on the road. Delivery drivers, police officers, and traveling business representatives are also at an elevated risk of being injured in a motor vehicle accident.
Exposure to Dangerous Chemicals and Environments
When an employee’s body is exposed to harmful chemicals such as lead, pesticides, mercury, asbestos, or solvents, he or she may suffer injuries like:
- Lung problems
- Burns
- Rashes
Exposure to dangerous substances, chemicals, or environments can also cause neurological injuries. Employers who run their businesses with the use of dangerous chemicals should require employees to don safety equipment like gloves, bodysuits, and helmets. Employers should also make sure that employees are working in conditions with the proper ventilation.
Overexertion
When major jobs with time-sensitive deadlines arise, workers can easily overexert themselves attempting to get everything done. Lifting, pulling, or pushing more than you should can cause strained muscles or torn ligaments. These types of injuries generally happen to those who perform physical labor. If you work in a factory, warehouse, or construction site, then you are at a greater risk of overexertion. With physical therapy, you should be able to repair the damage, but the time that you spend away from work doing so could be costly. Physical therapy or surgery can also be expensive.
Compensation for Workplace Injuries
If you’ve suffered a workplace injury, then a Somerville workers’ compensation lawyer may be able to help you get the financial assistance that you need. Whether you’ve experienced a fall, an auto accident, or exposure to a deadly chemical, our attorney will be there to help you get back on your feet. Contact us to make an appointment with us today. You can reach our Somerville office by calling (609) 771-8611 or emailing cvoorhees@szaferman.com.
