Worker’s Compensation: The Most Common Injuries

Man injured at work by falling down a ladderGenerally, people tend to think only about severe onsite injuries in physically intensive environments when they think of worker’s compensation, like the construction worker who has steel dropped on their foot or the metalworker who burns his hand.  However, serious injuries can come out of just about every profession or business activity, and it’s absolutely in your best interest to see if a work-related injury from which you suffer is eligible for worker’s compensation.  Contact experienced worker’s compensation lawyers today to see if you are eligible for compensation. Here are six of the most common worker’s comp injuries:

Slips, Trips, & Falls

Smooth surface, bumpy surface, wet surface, or dry surface. Workers can slip, trip, or fall on any of these, and the consequences can range from slight bruises to sprains and fractures to even brain injury. Some injuries even result from the employee trying to stop themselves from falling, like with a broken wrist.  If it occurred in the workplace during a work task, there is a strong argument to be made that the injury is eligible for worker’s compensation.

Machinery Accident Injuries

Ranging from the fault machinery to misuse by the worker, machines can often lead to injury. Most common on construction sites and in factories, but also found in office (copiers, paper shredders) and restaurant (dishwasher, stove) settings, machinery accident injuries could leave you with a claim for worker’s compensation. If you have or were involved in a machinery-related incident leading to injury, reach out to a worker’s comp lawyer as soon as possible.

Struck By/Against an Object

This classification of injury occurs in one of two scenarios. Struck by an object means something fell on the employee, while struck against an object means the employee fell into/onto something. Regardless, these injuries can occur in any workplace, from offices, retail stores and restaurants, construction sites, factories, and more.  Depending on the item that the worker was struck by or against, the severity of the injuries can vary, ranging from sprains and cuts to, in extreme cases, death. As a result, this classification makes up a lot of common worker’s compensation cases.

Overexertion

Without a doubt one of the most common worker’s compensation injuries, overexertion occurs when an employee is injured due to overworking their body. This can be like straining or pulling a muscle or joint, just as it can be slipping a disc from overextending in the process of pulling, pushing, lifting, or turning an item.  Obviously, workplaces that demand much physical labor are the most frequent offenders for this category, but workers in any environment can see themselves injured through overexertion. In a restaurant, carrying a tray of food may lead to it, just as moving heavy files in an office can. Regardless of the work environment, if you have been injured due to overexertion in the workplace, you are likely eligible for worker’s compensation.

Highway Accident Injuries

Most frequently targeting people who drive as part of their daily job duties (semi-truck drivers, police officers, food delivery drivers, transit or ride-sharing drivers, etc.), this injury occurs when someone is injured while working on the road. It does not need to be on a highway to be eligible; rather, the injury must solely come from a vehicle accident that occurred as a result of your work responsibilities, such as traveling when visiting a client or running errands for your boss while clocked in.  If you were involved in an accident leading to an injury while working, you are likely eligible for worker’s compensation.

Repetitive Strain Injury

Another of the most common worker’s compensation injuries, this one occurs when a repeated action, done over and over again, leads to eventual decay and deterioration of the associated muscles or tendons. While this does not apply for freelancers (such as comic book artists) who get injuries such as carpal tunnel, many workers can develop these injuries and receive compensation for them. Other examples may include bursitis and tennis elbow.  These injuries may be more difficult to prove in a worker’s compensation claim, as they develop over the span of years as opposed to being immediate injuries like the others. However, keeping a check on your body, and listening to the symptoms as they occur, is a good way to stay on top of it. If you are able to report your injury as it develops, then you’ll have an easier, more legitimate Repetitive Strain Injury worker’s compensation claim clatter.

Contact a Workers Compensation Lawyer To See If You Have a Case

Whether you were involved in a car accident while on the clock, have developed a sore wrist after years of doing the same task, fallen into a bucket and bruised yourself, slipped on a wet floor, or cut yourself on some machinery, you owe it to yourself to contact an experienced worker’s comp lawyer. The well-versed attorneys at The Clark Law Office can show you the benefits you’re owed through state law, and help you fight to get them.  Call us today for a free consultation at  +1 (517) 347-6900.  No fees unless you win!

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