A recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics examines the most common workplace injuries occurring across the country. Workplace injuries can result in lost time from work, workers compensation claims, and long recovery periods. Many employees suffering from a workplace injury also face high medical bills and some are never able to recover to their original physical status. Adjusting to life after workplace injury can be difficult. The sad news is that the majority of workplace injuries occurring around the country are completely preventable. Safety guidelines should always be followed, but unfortunately there are scenarios in which accidents can and will still occur.
The majority of injuries requiring missed workdays were from strains, sprains, and tears, most of which came from overexertion in lifting or lowering. The back was the leading part of the body for reporting workplace injuries that led to missed days of work. Back injuries made up 36% of all reported workplace injuries, and was followed as a leading cause by shoulder and knee complications. Overexertion from lifting or lowering accounted for 22% of reported workplace injuries, although falling was also a growing concern with approximately an additional 25% accidents occurring falls.
If you have been the victim of a workplace accident, your first step is to be fully evaluated by a physician to determine your medical status. Many symptoms might not immediately present in your case, and you may notice chronic pain for the weeks or months following the accident. It’s recommended that you follow your doctor’s orders as far as staying home from work and allowing your body time to heal. Don’t rush back to work too quickly, as this could only serve to exacerbate the extent of your injuries and make your recovery time longer and more difficult.
If you do have to miss time from work and are experiencing high medical bills or other problems associated with your injuries, you may consider filing a workers’ compensation claim. Companies are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance and may be able to provide you with additional information. Regardless of how cooperative your employer is regarding your workers compensation claim, it’s recommended that you reach out to a qualified workers’ compensation attorney to discuss your case. Your employer and your employer’s workers compensation insurance representative may be experienced in handling these types of cases and may not provide you with all of the details regarding your case. A licensed attorney can inform you about your rights and help you develop a strong case to get you the assistance and compensation that you deserve.
