Injuries occur all the time in the workplace, whether by complete accident or due to negligence. These injuries can take a variety of forms and range from minor to severe.
If you get injured in the workplace, you could be entitled to compensation if you feel that somebody else is to blame. For example, if your employer has failed to provide fully functioning equipment or another colleague failed to clean up their spillage, and you got injured as a result of this, you could claim against them.
To file a claim following an injury in the workplace, you will need to contact one of the Lamber Goodnow Injury Lawyers. They can guide you through the legal process of filing a claim, help you collect evidence, and advise you regarding compensation.
Some workplace injuries are more common than others. Being aware of the most common workplace injuries enables you to take the right steps to prevent these injuries from happening to yourself or your colleagues. It also improves your overall safety awareness and enables you to learn if and when you need to take legal action for a valid personal injury case following a workplace injury if you ever sustain one.
In this article, we’re going to cover the most common injuries that people sustain when at work.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Many slip-and-fall accidents are exactly that – they’re accidents. Sometimes, people trip over their own feet or forget to tie their loose shoelaces and take a tumble to the ground.
However, some falls can be the result of another person’s negligence. Uncleaned spillages and unsigned wet floors can increase the risk of slips, falls, and injuries. This is of particular concern in areas with a high volume of foot traffic, such as entrances, exits, and hallways.
If you fail to notice a slippery floor or the cleaner has forgotten to put out a ‘wet floor’ sign, you could fall over and injure yourself. In the latter case, the cleaner could be liable for your injuries, and you may be able to claim against them. Similarly, if you trip over loose cables, frayed carpets, or wonky steps and injure yourself, your employer may be to blame for not fixing these health hazards beforehand.
Falls are a major concern in areas where employees work at heights, such as in the construction and decorating fields. Falling from a ladder or elevated platform can result in serious injuries, such as broken bones and concussion. Although many falls are accidental, in some cases, they are caused by unsafe platforms or a lack of health and safety gear.
Repetitive Muscle Strains
Jobs that require persistent, repetitive movements, such as those that involve typing, packing boxes, labeling products, or using a sewing machine, can place excess strain through the joints, tendons, and ligaments in the affected area of the body. Repetitive strain injuries can lead to aches, pains, and even disabilities.
Employers have a legal responsibility to provide ergonomic equipment for employees who complain of pain and discomfort in the workplace. Ergonomic equipment is specially designed to support the joints and muscles as much as possible to reduce the risk of chronic injuries and associated pain.
If an employer refuses to provide ergonomic equipment or fails to take action when an employee complains of aches and pains caused by the repetitive nature of their job, they could be liable for the employee’s injuries. Employers should also provide regular training sessions so staff members know how to use their equipment safely to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
Lacerations
Cuts, scratches, and lacerations are very common personal injuries in workplaces that require working with large machinery, such as in the construction and manufacturing industries, or sharp utensils, such as in the food and drink sector. Employees can accidentally cut or scrape themselves on sharp edges, leading to anything from grazed skin to deep lacerations.
Sometimes, employers don’t provide adequate health and safety training for their employees. As a result, employees may use equipment incorrectly and cut themselves in the process. Wearing personal protective equipment and receiving adequate training is essential for reducing the risk of cuts and lacerations in the workplace.
Road Traffic Accidents
Jobs that require employees to drive or commute long distances carry a high risk of personal injuries associated with road traffic accidents.
For example, if you’re a lorry driver and spend several hours a day on the road, your chance of a collision with another vehicle is much higher than if you had an office-based job. As careful and vigilant as you may be when driving, you can’t always prevent road traffic accidents, and they’re more common in poor weather conditions.
You could end up with serious injuries following an incident on the roads. These injuries may lead to further problems with your physical health, post-traumatic stress, and even permanent disabilities.
It’s your responsibility to report any faults with your work vehicle to your employer so they can fix it as soon as possible. It’s your employer’s responsibility to make sure that every work vehicle is regularly tested to make sure it is safe to drive.
Skin Burns
Although skin burns may not be the first thing most people think about when it comes to workplace injuries, they are relatively common in certain fields. Employees in the manufacturing, chemical, and nuclear industries are exposed to potentially dangerous chemicals daily.
If employees forget to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as thick gloves, goggles, face masks, or hazmat suits, or their employer doesn’t provide it, their skin could get exposed to irritants and corrosives. These hazardous substances can lead to skin burns, ranging from first-degree (less severe) to third-degree (more severe) burns.
Alongside skin burns, chemical irritants can lead to eye irritation and difficulties with breathing. Over time, continual exposure to these chemicals can increase the risk of chronic health conditions that impact these employees for life.
In addition, construction workers are susceptible to airborne contaminants like silica dust and asbestos at work. OSHA recommends wearing N95 face masks when their work includes exposure to these harmful particles.
