People encounter the likelihood of getting into an accident in practically any work environment in New York and New Jersey. The conditions of your work environment and the kind of work that you do bring about these risks, for example, the construction industry. According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), it roughly accounts for 2 out of every 10 work-related deaths in the US private industry. The probability of getting injured is, without a doubt, greater in particular workplaces than in others. Construction workers experience heavy exposure to fatal workplace injury risks – electrocution, getting struck by an object, getting caught between stationary objects, and falling.
Nonetheless, even an ostensibly safe workplace such as an office presents common injury risks. For example, suppose you are a secretary who types 8 hours each day. In that case, you may suffer from chronic lower-back issues caused by constant sitting or carpal tunnel syndrome, a debilitating condition brought about by repetitive motion. This article strives to present the top workplace injuries listed in the National Safety Council, OSHA that lead to workers’ compensation claim in NY and yearly compiled data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What are the top 10 workplace injuries?
There are a plethora of injuries and accidents in workplaces every year – most of them severe. Hence, it is fundamental for every business owner and worker to take proper precautions. Even the best-prepared employees can still fall victim to a work injury. Nevertheless, to be forewarned is to be forearmed, so below are the top ten workplace injuries.
Slip and falls
Several factors in the workplace can cause a slip and fall, like icy surfaces or wet floors, poor lighting, scattered debris, uneven cords, and unstable walking surfaces. Falls can lead to serious injuries, including spinal cord injury, soft tissue damage like a torn or strained ligament, broken bones, and traumatic brain injury.
Electrocution
Employees can suffer an electrocution work-related injury from working around exposed wires and cords. Faulty electrical outlets can also harm them. Employees also get injured from other incidents like hitting underground cables while digging or working around power lines.
Struck by objects
Being hit or struck by falling objects or heavy objects thrown by machinery or a person can cause severe injuries. A falling, swinging, flying, or moving object can cause blunt-force trauma, including internal organ injuries, fractures, cuts, and bruises.
Entanglement
Rollers, gears, and other heavy machinery parts can entrap employees and cause various tear and crush injuries. In worst scenarios, workers may lose a limb or die from the injuries. Typically, loose jewelry, clothing, shoes, or unbound hair getting caught in machinery causes accidents.
Falls from heights
Falls are work-related injuries that cause worker deaths in the construction industry. Every day, construction workers face the risk of falling from stairways, raised and elevated surfaces, scaffolding, roofs, and ladders. Often, these falls are the products of inadequate safety equipment and poorly built structures.
Repetitive motion
As a type of cumulative trauma, repetitive motion injuries are caused by excessive repetition of small-range tasks like typing, working on an assembly line, or using a computer mouse. Such workers may get carpal tunnel syndrome – a form of nerve damage caused by repetitive motion. Some workers also may suffer from repetitive stress due to low productivity levels.
Motor vehicle accidents
Individuals who drive as part of their jobs are exposed to faulty automotive equipment, inclement weather, and negligent drivers. These factors can cause truck and motor vehicle work injuries. Workers or employees who spend their time around moving vehicles also face a high risk of getting injured in a collision. A construction worker, for example, could get hit by a tractor, or a factory worker could collide with a forklift.
Overexertion
Carrying, throwing, holding, pushing, pulling, and heavy lifting activities are the most common causes of a job-related injury. Overexertion injuries can be a single or cumulative injury caused by engaging in the same strenuous activities regularly. Workers who slip or trip without falling can injure their ligaments, tendons, and muscles as well. An overexertion injury can result in prolonged physical harm, ranging from lower-back injuries to chronic joint pain.
Struck against
Workers who unintentionally run into or get pushed into a wall, cabinet, door, window, vehicle, or machinery may suffer a neck injury, foot injury, head injury, or knee injury. Sometimes, these work injuries and accidents happen because employees fail to pay attention to where they are going.
Violence
Violence can erupt from disagreements or disputes that arise on the job between co-workers. Some may even bring domestic violence issues to work. Employees who deal with the public like delivery personnel may face assaults from customers or attacks by dogs. It’s vital for such individuals to get help from a professional who can provide violence training. This will help them learn to control themselves when faced with a challenging and aggressive situation.
What are the most common workplace injuries?
As aforementioned, there are a variety of work injuries every year. Some of the most common workplace injury areas are discussed above. Since some of them are inevitable, workers must seek help immediately from experienced and skilled workers’ compensation physicians at Workers’ Comp Doctor. Our health experts can treat injuries effectively, including sports, slip and fall, workers’ comp, and auto-accident injuries.
What are the main two types of workplace injuries?
There are two main types of workplace injuries: acute and overuse injuries. Acute injuries result from a single traumatic event such as sprains, shoulder dislocations, wrist fractures, and hamstring muscle strain. On the other hand, overuse injuries are subtle and frequently occurring injuries that are challenging to diagnose and treat. They are the result of repetitive micro-trauma to the bones, joints, and tendons. They include runner’s knee, tennis elbow, shin splints, and Achilles tendinitis.
What is the most common workplace injury in the US?
According to the National Safety Council, workers get injured or fall ill on the job every ten seconds. The majority of work-related injuries put them out of work leading to loss of income and substantial medical bills. Some of the most common types of workplace injuries in the US include;
- Sprains, tears, or strains – ligament, bone, and muscle injuries.
- Cuts, punctures, and lacerations – regularly reported injuries from mining, manufacturing, and construction jobs. These require workers to handle heavy and dangerous tools and objects.
- Musculoskeletal disorders– injuries commonly due to incorrect spinal alignment for people with desk occupations and excessive exertion for individuals with physically demanding jobs.
What are the top workplace injuries that can consider in Workers Compensation Claims?
Sprains and strains are the most common worker injuries in the US. They frequently occur as a result of material handling incidents. According to reviews of more than 2 million Workers Compensation Claims by companies, the most common workplace injuries that can consider workers’ compensation benefits include cuts or punctures, fractures, contusions, inflammation, strains, and sprains, among other injuries.
These injuries incur costs incorporating dislocations, crushing, multiple trauma injuries, amputations, and electric shock. Hence, employees must get their compensation claims as these can immensely help with their financial recovery.
How should employers respond to workplace injuries in NY?
When protective equipment, training, and company policies fail to protect employees from on-the-job injuries and accidents, those who suffer job-related injuries or illness deserve workers’ comp benefits. Employers ought to be held responsible for their workers. They can hire a work injury lawyer for their injured workers. Additionally, they can consider posting warning signs so that their staff can be aware.
Nevertheless, suppose you have a work injury or get hurt due to the cumulative effects of your occupational duties. In that case, Workers Comp Doctors can help you. Contact us today if you have any queries or get a free consultation at our New York and New Jersey offices.
What to do and how to claim workers compensation
If you are involved in an auto accident, job-related injury, or slip-and-fall, selecting the right doctor or physician is one of the most crucial decisions you have to make. You should certainly not wait to see a doctor. You may feel pain or discomfort immediately after the workplace injury.
However, some of the symptoms may be delayed and show up later. Your first instinct may be to see a family doctor or primary care physician. This may not be the best option because most primary care physicians do not have adequate expertise in treating accident-related injuries. Also, they may not
accept medical liens, workers’ compensation insurance, or no-fault. At Workers Comp Doctor.com, we only enlist the services of practitioners that specialize in treating accident-related injuries and are professionals in their respective medical fields. We also diversify the conditions we treat to ensure we cover virtually every injury you may suffer at work. Do not leave your physical and mental health and well-being to chance. Call our offices and get a free consultation and a top workers’ comp doctor near you.