Workplace Injuries Create Problems for Employees
Private industry employers reported 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, according to government figures. The U.S. Department of Labor says an injury or illness is work-related if an event or exposure in the work environment was caused or contributed to the resulting condition or significantly aggravated a pre-existing injury or illness.
Work accidents can happen at any time. Sometimes they are minor; however, others can cause hospitalization, rehabilitation services, long-term care, and even death.
We can't prevent all injuries from happening but learning about the most common workplace ones can raise awareness and decrease mishaps.
Workplace injuries can occur in any industry, and they're not fun to deal with. Although you can't stop the inevitable, you can learn about the most common workplace injuries. Doing so will act as an extra safety precaution, as it will heighten your knowledge of some of the things that go wrong in the workplace.
Common Workplace Injuries
Here are some of the most common injuries that happen at the workplace:
Body Strains
Body strains are the most common injuries for people who work in physically active jobs. Common activities such as lifting, carrying, pushing, or throwing contribute to overexertion of the body. However, strains can also happen at desk jobs. Employees who type and sit for long periods often report back and neck pain. Therefore, intense activities aren't always the culprits for body aches, as repetitive motions can also lead to strains.
Slips and Falls
Slips and falls happen more often than you think. There are different ways to classify these injuries:
- Slips without falling: This injury occurs when an employee catches themselves from falling. A body strain follows, leading to pain.
- Falling on a leveled surface: This happens if an employee slips and falls on the floor or a low object.
- Falling through something: This includes falling through surfaces, collapsed structures, ladders, or roofs.
Contact with Objects
Contact with objects leads to many employee injuries. Bumping into something, getting crushed by equipment, or getting thrown from a piece of machinery can all end in severe injuries. Objects can also fall on workers.
In cases where the employee isn't at fault, they can file an injury claim and consult with an attorney to find out important information, such as the documents they'll need to file their personal injury claim.
If you live in Pittsburgh, look for a Pittsburgh compensation lawyer for compensation queries and other injury claim.
Chemical Exposure
Working with chemicals and other harmful substances is expected in certain industries, and safety precautions are emphasized. However, injuries can still happen despite these safety measures. Spills and skin-to-skin contact with harmful substances can result in burns and physical damage. Therefore, workers should be aware of any chemicals around them.
Roadway Incidents
Workers who drive for their jobs face potential road incidents. These employees are typically aware of things that can go wrong on the road and take steps to prevent accidents. Still, workers should report any accidents caused by a reckless driver.
Care for Those Hurt at Work
Whether it be basic emergency room care, overnight hospital stays, surgery, or extended long-term care, those hurt at work need the proper care.
Many surgeries come from work-related accidents and injuries. Some of the most common include:
- Ankle and leg fracture repairs
- Brain surgeries and traumatic brain injuries
- Bulging and herniated disk surgeries
- Knee surgeries and knee replacements
- Laminectomy/spinal decompression surgery
- Neck surgeries
- Nerve damages due to lacerations
- Shoulder and rotator cuff surgery
- Spinal fusion, cervical disk surgery, and other spinal cord surgeries
Workplace-related injuries or illnesses sometimes result in the need for long-term health care, with some people unable to return to work. Other people may need long-term rehab services.
Accidents happen. We don't anticipate getting hurt, but it's still important to be aware of the most common workplace injuries. Whether you are the employee or the employer, being more conscious of potential injuries will be beneficial for everyone.
Employees, management, and owners should revisit their safety handbooks and help foster a safe work environment.
Insurance
Workman's compensation and long-term disability insurance can pay for the required health care and lost wages for those hurt while working. However, if your need for extended health care is not related to work, you may be in trouble paying for the care.
Your health insurance will pay for medical bills, but it won't pay for long-term care services and supports. Your short-term or long-term disability insurance may replace a portion of your salary (usually to age 65), but it will not pay for long-term health care.
Medicare, like health insurance, will only pay for a short period of skilled services, and Medicaid will only pay for long-term health care if you have little or no income and assets.
Few employers have Long-Term Care Insurance - Think You Have Long-Term Care at Work? Probably Not. | LTC News. You should consider purchasing Long-Term Care Insurance in your 40s or 50s before you retire. This insurance will pay for long-term health care in all settings, including at home. You keep your policy in force, even after you retire, since your risk of needing long-term care increases as you get older.
You should be safe at work and take good care of your health, but you will experience changes in your health, body, and mind as you get older. LTC Insurance is a vital part of retirement planning.