Types Of Work Related Injuries
American employees work in countless industries and positions, each with their own risk factors for illness and injury. Some industries like construction and oil and gas drilling are more dangerous than other work, but office workers, administrators, and analysts are also at risk of repetitive motion injuries, stress-related injuries, and more. It’s vital for every Georgia employee to know the risks of his or her line of work and what to do in the event of an injury.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is the government oversight agency responsible for ensuring safe American workplaces. OSHA inspects work environments for safety issues, and provides rules and guidelines for safe operations, in virtually every industry and workplace setting. OSHA also investigates claims of workplace hazards reported by employees and maintains statistics of the most common on-the-job injuries and other metrics.
Most Common Work-Related Injuries
The most common workplace injuries are falling injuries. Falls account for about eight million emergency room visits every year and are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that falling accounts for 5% of female job-related fatalities and 11% of male job-related fatalities. Falling injuries are also the leading cause of missed days from work and the top cause of workplace fatalities in the construction industry.
Depending on the nature of a falling incident, the victim may suffer broken bones, deep cuts, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, internal organ damage, or any combination of these possibilities. A fall can lead to extensive recovery time and costly medical bills, while leaving the victim unable to resume work for an extended time.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
As a person performs a physical action repeatedly, the parts of the body required for performing that action will begin to wear. A “repetitive motion injury” describes any injury or medical condition caused by repeating the same motions over and over – a common part of many lines of work. One of the most common examples of this type of injury is Carpal tunnel syndrome, a type of arthritis affecting the fingers and hands. Carpal tunnel syndrome is common among employees who type as part of their daily work. After years of typing every day, it’s not uncommon for an employee in such a position to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. Other repetitive motion injuries may include back pain from repeated lifting and carrying heavy objects and eye strain from meticulous manual work.
Defective Products in the Workplace
Many employees work with products from other companies to perform their job duties. This can include manufacturing equipment, tools, vehicles, cleaning agents, chemicals, and various other possibilities. If these products cause an employee injury, the injured employee will likely be able to secure workers’ compensation for his or her lost wages and medical expenses. However, the injured employee should also speak with an attorney about starting a defective product claim against the product manufacturer.
Product manufacturers must ensure their products perform as intended and advertised and pose no risks to the end user through normal use. If a defective product causes a workplace injury, the injured employee can seek additional compensation through a defective product liability claim against the manufacturer.
These are just a few of the possibilities for work-related injuries. Anyone who has suffered any type of job-related injury or illness in the Atlanta area should know their rights and options for legal recourse. Cruz & Associates has a strong record of success in handling all types of workers’ compensation cases, so reach out to our team today to schedule a case evaluation.