No matter the industry you work in, workplace accidents can occur. Of course, some professions come with a greater risk of accidents than others, but the fact of the matter is that accidents happen. Oftentimes there is no way to truly prepare for them, but knowing some of the more common workplace accidents and injuries just may help you to be more aware of your surrounding and possibly avoid the unpleasantries that accompany on the job accidents.
Whether the accident was your fault or just a stroke of misfortune, it would be in your best interest to connect with an attorney to assess any possible legal ramifications or compensations. Although it was an accident, the severity of your injuries will make a difference in the amount of activity you can engage in. If your injury will not permit you to work, then you will need some type of financial support until you are able to return to work.
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1. Falls
Falls are in the top three workplace accident in 2019. According to Liberty Mutual Insurance, falls account for about 15.3 billion workplace injuries. Whether you fall on level ground, like slipping and falling on a wet spot on the floor, or falling off of a ladder or down a set of steps, a fall at work can make work very difficult depending on what you job requires of you.
2. Overexertion
Overexertion is the top workplace injury. It includes injuries like back strains and knee injuries that occur as a result of lifting, moving, pulling, crawling, bending, etc. things. Because there are so many jobs require some physical exertion on a daily basis, overexertion injuries are likely to stay at the top of the list for many years to come. Although automation is changing the way a lot of businesses do things, real bodies are needed to load, inspect and move many of these autonomous pieces of equipment.
3. Falling Objects
Sometimes things come at workers seemingly from out of nowhere. Falling objects are often in this category. When things are improperly stacked or stored, if someone knocks something over or even if an earthquake occurs, things can fall and injure you. Even if it is a small object, the material, weight and shape of it can make a difference in the injury you sustain.
Sometimes falling objects can involve more than the thing that hit you. Sometimes the falling object can cause you to fall or trip or overexert yourself. Being hurt by a falling object in the workplace can be a little complicated to sort out, but it helps to be as aware as you can be of your surroundings.
4. Vehicle Accidents
If your job requires you to operate a vehicle, whether it is a forklift, a tractor trailer or a bus, there is always the potential for an accident. Even a minor fender bender can do more damage than you might think. There is whiplash, soft tissue injuries and other invisible injuries that can make doing routine tasks difficult or painful.
Vehicle accidents tend to get somewhat complicated, because vehicle insurance and fault and deductibles become part of the scenario. It is a good idea to hire an attorney that has experience in personal injury and worker’s compensation cases, because these types of workplace accidents can take a serious toll on your body and finances. If you think you may be legally entitled to compensation, you do not want to handle it on your own.
5. Slips and Trips
Slipping or tripping on something without falling can be just as injurious as taking a fall sometimes. When our bodies tense up in an effort to save us from a fall, things can painfully strained or otherwise injured. Cords, chair and table legs, tools, office supplies and plenty of other obstacles can be found in just about any workplace. It is possible to sprain, fracture or break a bone, or you may present with muscle spasms. There are lots of possible outcomes when it comes to slipping and tripping on the job.
6. Equipment Accidents
Perhaps you’ve seen or or already have AD & D as part of your insurance package. It stands for accidental death and dismemberment, but let’s focus on the dismemberment part for now. If your job requires you to work with heavy machinery, power tools, kitchen equipment, etc., then you are at a higher risk of getting caught in or being compressed by the tools that you use to perform your job. Unfortunately people get maimed on the job more than one might think.
You can reduce your likelihood by wearing the proper safety equipment, following safety guidelines and protocol and being alert. No one wants to be accidently dismembered or disfigured while on the job, but doing so can put you out of work or force you to change careers.
7. Repetitive Motion Injuries
These types of injuries can make routine activity both on and off the job difficult and quite unpleasant. Repetitive motions, like those carried out on an assembly or manufacturing line and regular computer usage, are low on the list, but there is the potential for that to change, as we grow our dependence on technology. Microtasks are becoming more and more a part of our everyday lives.
8. Bumping into Things
Although bumping into things seems fairly benign, it can be a bigger deal than many would think. Soft tissue injuries are common with this typical workplace accident. Most times there is no injury, but sometimes the results can be quite lasting. Walking into an open door or cabinet, not clearing a door frame before turning or failing to move far enough away from a desk before standing can be very painful. While these injuries tend to be less detrimental than others, it should still be taken seriously.
An experienced doctor and attorney are two persons you want to have in your corner if you should happen to fall victim to any workplace accident. Sometimes accidents are unavoidable, but knowing what to look out for can go a long way.
