Healthcare Work Accidents and Injuries

If you’re a healthcare worker who has been injured on the job, you may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. At Pond Lehocky Giordano, we’ve spent decades standing up for injured workers, including those in the healthcare field. Our team is here to guide you through the process and help you receive the benefits you both need and deserve.

Common Causes of Healthcare Worker Injuries

Working in medical facilities presents unique risks. At times, it may seem like there is a hazard around every corner. Some of the most common causes of healthcare worker injuries include:

• Maneuvering patients. Patients who require assistance to get in and out of bed or to be bathed or changed pose a threat to workers who must lift them. Workers may suffer injuries to their backs, knees, arms, and shoulders. 
• Slips and falls. Healthcare facilities are frequently home to spills, and they are usually in a continual state of cleaning. In some scenarios, hallways may become cluttered with patient beds or apparatus, which can lead to slips and falls.
• Needle sticks and sharps injuries. When administering medications or drawing blood, a healthcare worker may accidentally stick themselves. 
• Violence. Some patients (and other workers) may become violent, abusing workers or assaulting them. 
• Exposure to infectious disease. Working with sick individuals and laboratory samples places a risk of contracting a disease.
• Fatigue. Healthcare facilities may be short-staffed and require providers and technicians to work long hours. Fatigue can lead to accidents and errors that compromise the health and well-being of workers. 

Even when safety protocols are in place, the demanding nature of healthcare work means accidents still happen.

High-Risk Healthcare Jobs

Injuries can happen in any healthcare role, but some jobs face higher risks due to the nature of their required duties. 

• Nurses. Both nurses and nurse’s aides frequently lift and reposition patients, making them more prone to musculoskeletal injuries.
• EMTs and paramedics. These frontline workers are faced with unpredictable environments and physical strain. 
• Doctors and surgeons. Both doctors and surgeons risk exposure to infectious diseases and repetitive motion injuries. 
• Technicians. Radiologists and lab techs may be exposed to chemicals and radiation.
• Home healthcare workers. Working alone in a home places a healthcare worker in a somewhat unpredictable environment and forces them to face risks like slips or acts of violence. They may also encounter attacks by pets. 

These risky jobs can produce injuries that are long-lasting and may cause a worker to eventually lose the ability to work the same role.

Types of Injuries Sustained in Healthcare

The injuries sustained by healthcare workers can range from minor to life-altering. Common examples include:

• Back and neck injuries from lifting patients and/or heavy equipment
• Sprains and strains from lifting or repetitive motions
• Fractures from slips and falls
• Infectious diseases contracted through exposure in the workplace
• Burns and chemical injuries from handling hazardous materials
• Psychological trauma, like PTSD following workplace violence or traumatic events

Some injuries may resolve quickly, while others can require surgery and therapy. Others may result in long-term disability that interferes with a person’s ability to care for themselves and their dependents. 

What to Do if You’re Injured as a Healthcare Worker

If you’ve been hurt on the job in healthcare, taking the right steps immediately can protect both your health and your right to benefits. Here’s what you should do if you’ve been injured.

1. Report the injury. Notify your employer as soon as possible. In Pennsylvania, you must alert your employer no later than 120 days after your injury if you want to receive benefits, but it is best to report the injury or illness right away. 
2. Seek medical treatment. Your employer may have guidelines for your care (like going to a specific doctor or hospital). Follow their guidelines for your initial treatment.
3. Document everything. Keep records of your conversations and diagnosis, and track your expenses. It’s also wise to keep a journal of how your injury impacts your everyday life. 
4. File for workers’ compensation. Benefits from workers’ compensation can cover medical bills and lost wages. In some cases, benefits may even cover permanent disability. 
5. Call an attorney. The workers’ compensation system is notoriously difficult to understand. Having an experienced attorney helps keep your rights protected and your benefits maximized. 

Contacting an attorney as soon as you are injured gives them the best opportunity to hear the facts of your claim before the details fade from your memory or you miss an important filing deadline. 

How a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help

Workers’ compensation benefits can be difficult to attain if you don’t have a strong case. Employers and insurers may argue that you were injured due to pre-existing conditions or other factors. You may find yourself the recipient of a denial letter. 

An experienced attorney can help by:

• Gathering evidence to prove your injury was work-related.
• Ensuring deadlines are met and paperwork is filed correctly.
• Representing you in hearings or appeals if your claim is denied.
• Fighting to maximize your benefits.
• Exploring additional claims if a third party contributed to your injury (for example, defective medical equipment).

At Pond Lehocky Giordano, we’ve built a reputation as one of the nation’s leading workers’ compensation law firms. Our attorneys have successfully represented thousands of injured workers, including healthcare professionals who devote their lives to others. Since our founding in 2010, Pond Lehocky Giordano has recovered over $1 billion for injured workers and handled more than 100,000 cases. 

Pursuing Justice for Caregivers

Whether you are a nurse injured while lifting patients or a technician exposed to harmful substances, we are here to help you secure the benefits you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward protecting your health, your livelihood, and your future.