American employees work in countless industries and positions, each with its own risk factors for illness and injury. Some industries, such as construction and oil and gas extraction, are more dangerous than other jobs, but office workers, administrators, and analysts are also at risk for repetitive motion injuries, stress-related injuries, and others. It is vital that every Georgia employee understands the risks of their line of work and what to do in the event of an injury.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the government oversight agency responsible for ensuring safety in American workplaces. OSHA inspects workplaces for safety problems and provides standards and guidelines for safe operations in virtually all industries and work environments. OSHA also investigates complaints about workplace hazards reported by employees and maintains statistics on the most common workplace injuries and other metrics.
Most common work injuries
The most common workplace injuries are falls. Falls result in approximately eight million emergency room visits each year and are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that falls account for 5% of work-related fatalities for women and 11% for men. Fall injuries are also the leading cause of sick leave and the leading cause of workplace fatalities in the construction industry.
Depending on the nature of a fall, the victim may suffer bone fractures, deep cuts, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, or any combination of these. A fall can lead to a long recovery time and expensive medical bills, while also leaving the victim unable to return to work for an extended period.
Repetitive motion injuries
When a person performs a physical action repeatedly, the body parts necessary to perform that action begin to wear down. A » repetitive motion injury » describes any injury or medical condition caused by repeating the same movements over and over again, something common in many lines of work. One of the most common examples of this type of injury is carpal tunnel syndrome, a type of arthritis that affects 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 is not uncommon for an employee in that position to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. Other repetitive motion injuries can include back pain from repeatedly lifting and carrying heavy objects and eyestrain from meticulous manual labor.
Defective products in the workplace
Many employees work with other companies’ products to perform their jobs. This can include manufacturing equipment, tools, vehicles, cleaning products, chemicals, and other miscellaneous items. If these products cause injuries to an employee, the injured employee may be able to seek workers’ compensation for lost wages and medical expenses. However, the injured employee should also speak with an attorney about the possibility of filing a defective product lawsuit against the product manufacturer.
Product manufacturers must ensure that their products perform as intended and advertised and pose no risks to the end user under normal use. If a defective product causes a workplace injury, the injured employee may seek additional compensation through a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer.
These are just a few of the possibilities of work-related injuries. Anyone who has suffered any type of work-related injury or illness in the Atlanta area should know their rights and legal recourse options. Cruz & Associates has a strong track record of success handling all types of workers’ compensation cases, so contact our team today to schedule a case evaluation.
