Quick Answer Workers’ compensation covers all injuries sustained in the course and scope of an employee’s work. However, some accidents and injuries occur more frequently than others.
Workers’ compensation covers all injuries sustained in the course and scope of an employee’s work. However, some accidents and injuries occur more frequently than others. The following claims are some of the most common.
Overexertion and Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs)
Overexertion injuries occur when a worker does more than they are physically capable of. For example, a worker might try to handle their normal workload in a very hot environment, not realizing this could lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Repetitive strain injuries occur when a worker repeats the same movements or subjects themselves to the same forces repeatedly. These movements do not strain the body enough to cause an acute injury. However, the damage accumulates over time.
For example, stress fractures happen when repeated strain on a bone causes small cracks to form. Rather than healing, the repeated strain causes the cracks to propagate and form fractures.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Workplace falls are a leading cause of job-related injuries. These falls can take the following forms.
Elevated Falls
Elevated falls occur when a worker falls from a higher level to a lower level. For example, a worker who falls from a roof or into a pit experiences an elevated fall. These falls often cause serious injuries or death.
Same-Elevation Falls
Same-elevation falls occur when a worker falls on the same level where they were originally standing or walking. These falls often result from slips or trips. For example, you might slip when your feet lose traction on a wet surface. You could be thrown off-balance and fall backward, injuring your hips, back, or head.
Alternatively, you might trip and lose your footing by catching your foot on a misplaced extension cord. Your momentum then carries your upper body forward, resulting in injuries to your knees, hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, chest, or face.
Being Struck by or Caught in Equipment
“Struck by” and “caught in” injuries can happen in almost any work environment. An office worker might be hit by a box that falls from an upper shelf in the file room. A warehouse employee could be struck by a pallet jack or front loader.
However, construction workers and factory workers are particularly vulnerable to these incidents. Power tools, moving machinery, and falling objects can seriously injure or kill these workers.
Motor Vehicle Accidents on the Job
Millions of workers, including sales reps, delivery drivers, and social workers, drive as part of their job duties. The more time they spend on the road, the more likely they are to be in an on-the-job traffic collision.
Importantly, workers’ compensation is largely a no-fault insurance system. A worker injured in this way can typically seek workers’ comp benefits regardless of who caused the collision.
Workplace Violence Injuries
Workplace violence is an uncommon but growing issue. You can likely get compensation if you were injured by a coworker or customer. However, you may have to prove that the violent act happened in the course and scope of your job duties, such as if a disgruntled customer attacked you during a work-related dispute.
Exposure to Harmful Substances or Environments
Environmental exposure can cause acute or chronic injuries. For example, you might suffer from frostbite after being exposed to freezing temperatures while working outside. Conversely, you might develop cancer after breathing in fumes in your workplace for years.
In workplace exposure cases, you can seek workers’ comp benefits by connecting your injury to your job.
Occupational Illnesses and Cumulative Conditions
The U.S. government recognizes the following categories of occupational illnesses:
- Skin disease
- Disease from biological exposure
- Disease from chemical exposure
- Disease from physical agents
- Job-related cancer
- Infectious disease and parasitic infection
- Mental disorder
- Respiratory disease
- Musculoskeletal injury or disease
Common examples of these diseases include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Mesothelioma
- Hearing loss
- Post-traumatic stress disorder after an injury
There is no clear line between categories of occupational illnesses and other injuries. Instead, you look at the cause to determine whether it is occupational.
What You Need to Know About Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim
Every state administers its workers’ compensation system differently. This means there is no uniform process across all systems.
No matter where you work, however, the following tips can be helpful.
Document the Cause of Your Injury
Take photos of the accident scene, if possible, and remember who witnessed the injury. If you developed a chronic or repetitive strain injury, talk to your doctor about possible connections to your job.
Inform Your Employer
Most states impose a deadline for notifying your employer of your injury. Some of these deadlines are extremely short, particularly for workers who suffered disabling injuries that required hospitalization. Notify your employer as soon as you can after your accident so you meet your state’s deadline.
Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
See a doctor promptly after your injury and follow their advice. In most states, a workers’ comp insurer can terminate your benefits if you are not following your treatment plan.
How a Workers’ Comp Lawyer Can Help You
The workers’ comp system is supposed to be easy. Many of the rules favor workers, at least until the insurer has time to review the claim. However, insurers do not always approve these claims.
Pond Lehocky Disability helps you prepare your claim to reduce the risk of denial. If you have already received a denial, our firm fights the insurer for the compensation you deserve under your state’s laws. We can also identify other sources of support available to you, such as Social Security Disability benefits.
The Lawyers at Pond Lehocky Disability Can Help You
When workers suffer on-the-job injuries, they are usually entitled to seek benefits guaranteed by state law. Contact us to discuss your workplace injury and learn how we can help you secure the benefits you earned.
