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Common Workplace Injuries
Getting hurt at work can happen when you least expect it, and it can change your life. If you are not sure if your injury will qualify for benefits, one of the first things you can do is learn about some of the most frequently occurring work injuries and compare them to your situation.
Some injuries may seem like they won’t qualify for compensation, when in actuality, they will, so it’s important to learn more about what your options are. Finding out about common injuries is a good place to start so that you can decide what to do next.
Some of the most common injuries that happen at work include:
- Struck against an object: Injuries stemming from objects such as walls, doors, or windows.
- Overexertion: Considered some of the most common work injuries, these are caused by holding, pushing, pulling, throwing, lifting, or carrying.
- Caught in/compressed by: Injuries that take place in factories or other spaces involving heavy machinery.
- Fall to lower level: Falling off of roofs, down stairs, off a ladder, etc.
- Struck by object: Injuries that happen when an object falls or someone drops an object.
- Slips and falls: Slipping and falling on slippery floors or uneven flooring. These injuries can also be caused by uncleared walkways during winter.
- Repetitive motion: Injuries such as back injury or carpal tunnel syndrome, which are caused by repeating the same task/motion over and over.
- Workplace assaults: When one or more workers is assaulted at work.
- Traffic incidents: Injuries stemming from vehicle accidents or crashes involving company vehicles.
What You Need to Know About Work Injury Claims
A workers’ compensation lawyer will be able to help you sort through the process of filing a claim, but on your own, you should be familiar with some of the different aspects of the process. For instance, it’s beneficial to know the statute of limitations for filing a claim, as well as what sort of paperwork you’ll need to keep on hand (medical bills, incident reports, etc.).
You should also have some idea of what sort of compensation to seek, such as lost wages, permanent injury, or medical bill reimbursement. If you’re unsure about any of these aspects, a workers’ compensation attorney will be able to help you learn more about the complexities of the process.
The Process of Filing a Claim
Filing a claim for workers’ compensation doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Having legal representation on your side can make the process much more manageable.
First, you’ll need to notify your employer. This should be done within seven days of the incident. If you seek medical treatment for your injury, be sure to let the medical staff know it is a work injury, as you may be required to see specific doctors or visit certain facilities.
After receiving reports from the employer or the doctor, the insurance carrier will open a claim for benefits. If the claim is found to be compensable, the carrier will work with the injured party and the employer to determine the rate of pay the worker will receive while out of work.
If the claim is, for some reason, denied, the injured person will have the option to appeal the decision.
