6 Most Common Workers' Comp Injuries

6 Most Common Workers' Comp Injuries

6 Most Common Workers' Comp Injuries

Every year, private industry employers report over 2 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses. Unfortunately, these can happen at any time and to any kind of worker. Whether you work at a construction site, warehouse, hospital, restaurant, or in an office building, almost all workplaces are full of occupational hazards. Even the most cautious workers can obtain injuries of varying severity.

In the United States, three workers’ comp claims are filed for every 100 full-time workers. Workplace injuries occur even if you aren’t doing hard manual labor. Risks are found everywhere, and it may surprise you to find out that even office workers can be injured on the job. Here are the six most common workers’ comp injuries across all industries:

1. Excessive Physical Effort

The most common workplace injury occurs when excessive physical effort is used to pull, lift, or carry heavy objects. Overexertion leads to muscle strains and sprains at best, extensive physical therapy, and missed work time at worst.

You don’t need to be working in manual labor for overexertion to occur, though, of course, that is where the majority of these types of injuries occur. No matter where you work, you must always take special care to lift heavy objects properly. Bend from the waist, keep your back straight, and try not to twist your body if you’re carrying something heavy.

2. Repetitive Strain

Repetitive strain injuries develop over a long period if you keep making the same motions day in and day out. It can be a bit more difficult to spot symptoms because the pain and the damage creep in very slowly. This is why an ergonomic workplace is essential—proper posture, body placement, and frequent breaks will do a lot to prevent repetitive stress injuries.

The most common repetitive strain injuries are carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, and tendonitis in your wrist, arm, shoulder, and neck. Office and assembly line workers commonly suffer from these types of injuries.

3. Slips, Trips, And Falls

One of the first things that go by the wayside in a busy workplace is good housekeeping habits. A stray wastebasket or electrical cord in an office can cause serious harm if someone’s foot gets caught on them. Loose carpet and wet floors in any workplace cause bruises, sprains, broken bones, or concussions.

4. Falling Objects

Nothing on earth is exempt from gravity—what goes up must come down. Thousands of workplace injuries occur when equipment or stray objects fall on a person’s head. This is why hard hats are required in every construction site or warehouse. Even if you take safety precautions, though, freak accidents can happen and leave you with a bump on your head.

5. Car Accidents

More than six million vehicular accidents occur in the US every year, and it’s safe to say that a large percentage of them happen to people on the job. Car accidents can lead to knee injuries, whiplash, back pain, and more. If you get into an accident while on the clock, you can file for workers’ comp.

6. Electrocution

Electricity hazards are present at every workplace. In fact, there is a risk for electrocution at just about every square foot of space, no matter where you work. Wall sockets, plugs, and cables are prone to damage, and even a sliver of exposure can cause injury upon contact. We also can’t forget to mention the potential for electrical fires or explosions.

Conclusion

You don’t have to be working at a high-rise construction site to be on the lookout for workplace injuries. Anything at work can be a hazard, and you would do well to be as careful as possible no matter what you do or where you go.

In case the worst happens and you get injured at work, you would greatly benefit from consulting with a workplace injury attorney to make sure you receive everything you’re entitled to.

Are you looking for workers’ compensation attorneys in Northern California? With offices in Oakland, Tracy, Concord, San Jose, Stockton, and Sacramento; Pacific Workers’, The Lawyers for Injured Workers is just one call away. Since 1994, we have been helping file workers’ compensation claims and secure benefits for injured workers just like you. Contact us today for a free consultation at 800 606 6999.

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