Workers develop illnesses and conditions from poor training, lack of appropriate safety gear and simple mistakes. Every year, the state of New York processes over 17,000 new injury claims for workers dealing with job related injuries.
When filing a workers’ compensation claim or lawsuit against an employer, a personal injury lawyer can help you understand how serious your injury is, research the long-term effects of the injury and get the maximum compensation for it. It is important that employees know what is a job-related illness or injury and when they have grounds to file a lawsuit.
Common Workplace Injuries
Some industries are more dangerous than others, and they take extra precautions to keep workers safe, but even small office injuries can compound over time and lead to pain and injury. If you have any of the following most common work-related injuries, you may have a case for a lawsuit or workers’ compensation claim.
Trips, Slips and Falls
Every industry is susceptible to these types of injuries. Whether you work in an office or on a construction site, there are conditions that can lead to a fall. Office workers may trip over electrical cords or on ice the company has not removed. Construction workers often fall off scaffolding or trip over equipment. There are standards companies must follow to keep the workplace safe from these, but they are still a large part of work-related injuries in New York.
Muscle Strains
For anyone who does heavy lifting in their job, muscle strains are a common injury. In most cases, there is a weight limit for how much an employee can lift without the aid of a machine or another worker, and your employer cannot ask you to do more than that. Injuries to the neck and back are common in these jobs, and with training on proper lifting techniques and compliance with regulations you can often avoid them.
Falling Objects
Another common work-related injury in New York is workers hit by falling objects. This is not just a problem on work sites or in warehouse jobs. Even an object falling out of a cupboard in an office kitchen can cause a serious injury. Employers should provide adequate storage for any supplies and train employees on how to access them when necessary.
Repetitive Strains
These are common in office settings and are often not taken seriously in the beginning. This can come from something as simple as using a keyboard the wrong way. Over time, the motion puts strain on the muscle, tendons or ligaments and you can deal with a lifetime of pain. Taking regular breaks can help prevent these, and employers should give access to ergonomically correct equipment.
Collisions and Crashes
Impact or crash injuries are also common in work settings. They can involve forklifts, heavy machinery or even something as simple as a company car. Employers should property maintain equipment and employees should always follow appropriate safety measures, such as wearing seatbelts while doing deliveries.
Lacerations and Cuts
From paper trimmers to power saws, almost anything can cause lacerations and cuts. These injuries are most often caused by inadequate safety measures and poor training. Employers must provide the appropriate safety equipment and regular, updated training to protect employees from cuts and lacerations.
Toxic Fumes
For those who work in industries that manage hazardous chemicals, inhaling toxic fumes can be deadly. Not only do the injuries occur in the initial exposure, but over time they can progress and lead to serious illness. If you expose the eyes or skin to a toxic chemical, it may count as a workplace injury. Protective equipment and proper disposal methods are extremely important in jobs where workers handle hazardous materials.
Loud Noises
Industrial and construction workers are regularly exposed to loud noises, and over time, this can affect the hearing. Because these injuries progress so slow over time, they may not even be noticeable at first, but industrial deafness is a serious condition. Ear protection on sites where loud noises are common is extremely important to prevent these injuries.
Collisions With Objects
These injuries can happen to anyone on any job site. Collisions often occur when someone moves furniture unexpectedly or vehicles are not parked in the proper places. If the collision happens a certain way, it can lead to serious injury like a concussion.
Fights
Another way that people get injured at work is through fights with other employees. When workplace tension erupts, it may lead to physical altercations that cause serious injuries. Employers should have a solid review and complaint policy in place to head these situations off before they become this serious, and they should deal with problem employees as quickly as possible.
If You Have a Work-Related Injury
No matter how small the injury may seem, it is beneficial to have it checked by a medical professional to receive treatment. This also starts an important trail of documentation if you need to file a workers’ compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit later. Anyone injured should do the following things after the injury:
- Obtain medical attention and make sure everyone is okay
- Report the accident to start the investigation to determine what went wrong and why
- Report the injury within 10 days
- Speak to a personal injury attorney
Employers carry workers’ compensation insurance to help pay for the costs associated with workplace injuries. Unfortunately, some claims are denied for injured workers, or they receive less than they need to pay the bills. This can lead to inadequate medical treatment or loss of wages that greatly affects the person and their family.
A Work-Related Injury Attorney Can Help
A work-related injury attorney can make sure the paperwork is filed correctly and in a timely manner, appeal a denied claim and negotiate if you need additional compensation to pay for an injury or illness that happened on the job.
Some injuries are minor and may only require a few days off and minimal treatment, but you are still entitled to compensation. Major injuries that cause permanent disabilities create a more intense situation and filing a claim for coverage could affect your entire future. It is important to make sure claims are filed right from the beginning.
A work-related injury also understands the complexities of the law and how to approach different injuries in various industries. As you work to heal from the injury, you have peace of mind knowing your financial matters are in the hands of a knowledgeable, experienced individual who will negotiate on your behalf. This can protect you from discussions with the insurance company, awkward confrontations with your employer and additional things that put mental, financial and physical strain on your body.
When to Contact an Attorney
If you get hurt at work or notice that a condition is worsening over time that you believe is a cause of your work, you should speak to a personal injury attorney. Contact us today so we can answer your questions and make sure we file your claim correctly. Our goal is to secure maximum compensation so you can heal physically and move forward from these unfortunate incidents.