There is always the possibility of injury, no matter what industry you work in.
Little cuts, nicks, and bruises happen daily in certain industries. However, some injuries can leave you lying on your back, with a leg in traction and no work to return to.
Workplace accidents can happen in a variety of industries, although they are more common in some than others. This blog post will examine the most common workplace injuries by industry.
Workplace Injuries Overview
A workplace injury happens as the result of an incident in the course of your normal duties that results in bodily harm. Many unnoticeable safety dangers exist in the workplace and can potentially cause severe injury to employees.
While employers have an obligation to minimize risk, accidents cannot always be avoided. On average, 2.8 million employees are wounded on the job every year, which can result in a lot of downtime.
As a result, it’s crucial to understand the most common types of workplace injuries that could occur in your industry.
Most Common Workplace Injuries
Some workplace injuries are, unfortunately, very common. Let’s take a look at some of the more common workplace injuries and the industries with the highest occurrences of each injury. The following data is pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
1. Electric Shock
Electric shock is one of the most dangerous workplace hazards that may occur. Even if it does not lead to death, it can have severe consequences on the body, such as burns, blindness, and movement restrictions.
Many workplace electrical fatalities occur in construction, where workers are often exposed to powerful electric sources. However, electric shock is a common workplace injury that can happen in nearly any industry.
2. Fractures
Fractures are caused by a bone being bent or twisted beyond its capabilities. Broken bones might occur as the result of a fall or heavy object dropped on an arm or leg. Depending on the location and severity of the fracture, recovery may take as long as six months.
Fractures are the most common among heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, but HVAC mechanics and installers see their fair amount as well.
3. Sprains, Strains, and Tears
Although we often refer to this pain as a “pulled muscle,” there is a difference between sprains, strains, and tears.
A sprain occurs when a ligament (the fibrous tissue that connects bones together) is stretched beyond its capacity. A strain is when a muscle or tendon is stretched. Tears are much more serious than sprains or strains and may need several months to fully heal.
These injuries are essentially overexertion injuries, caused by either a single incident of pushing your body past its limits or repetitive action.
Although firefighters and nursing assistants see the most sprains and strains, this is the most common workplace injury overall, and it can happen in any industry.
4. Cuts, Lacerations, and Punctures
At some point, everyone has had a cut, laceration, or puncture wound. These range in severity—some require stitches or surgery, while others are treatable with a bandage and some ointment.
It should come as no surprise that non-farm animal caretakers (such as veterinarians, vet techs, and dog groomers) bear the brunt of these injuries. Of course, when an animal is involved, you have the added concern of animal-borne illnesses.
5. Chemical Burns & Corrosions
Coming into contact with a corrosive substance is not only extremely painful, it can cause permanent damage. The list of such substances is too long to be listed here, but if your job duties require that you deal with them, you should be given proper safety equipment and training.
HVAC mechanics and installers commonly receive chemical burns from refrigerants, but anyone dealing with strong chemicals has the potential to become injured as well.
6. Heat (Thermal) Burns
Of course, you can also receive a burn from coming in contact with a heat source.
Firefighters and food servers (especially those who work in hotels, hospitals, and other non-restaurant locations) are most commonly affected.
7. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is another type of overuse injury caused by inflammation in the wrist. Carpal tunnel most typically occurs when the wrist is held in the same position day after day.
While you might expect office workers to be most affected, laundry and dry cleaning workers are actually the most common occupation to get carpal tunnel syndrome.
8. Tendonitis
Tendonitis occurs when a tendon (the fibrous tissue that connects muscles to the bones) becomes inflamed. This usually happens as a result of overuse and repetitive motion.
Firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics are heavily affected by tendonitis.
Do I Need To File A Lawsuit For My Workplace Injury?
Many workers choose not to seek compensation for their injuries because they are worried about being retaliated against.
Filing a workers’ comp claim can feel like a difficult situation. But if your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, the process is designed to work smoothly, with no hard feelings between employer and employee.
Getting justice for a serious injury is not a do-it-yourself project.
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney is essential in ensuring that your compensation benefits are paid correctly, that your average weekly wage is set at the correct amount, and that you receive all of your compensation benefits and settlement that you are entitled to.
Severe injuries can keep you out of work for several years, if not the rest of your life. You deserve to be fairly compensated for your workplace injury to help cover medical expenses and missed wages.
Conclusion
It’s simple to understand why workplace injuries are so common when considering how much time you spend at work each day.
Of course, these injuries will vary depending on your job and responsibilities. The most important thing to remember is that there is a risk of injury all around you, especially in unexpected places.
Keeping the most common workplace injuries in mind will help protect you from serious injury.
If you have been injured in the line of work, contact the Law Office of Brian D. Tadros today for a free consultation. We will help you document your case and protect your rights so that you receive the maximum level of compensation allowed by law.
