Many employers go above and beyond to make sure their employees are safe, but workplace injuries can and do take place. If you were injured or became ill while working and your work duties on the job caused this, you should file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ comp provides lost wages, rehabilitation expenses, and medical expenses in connection to that injury.
There are many ways you can get hurt or sick on the job; some of these include slip and fall accidents, body strain, an accident while using machinery, and more. Below are a few causes of work injuries.
Common Causes of Workplace Injuries
- Slips, Trips and Falls - Experiencing a slip or fall at work is not uncommon. Many workplace falls take place because of a slippery surface. This is especially common in the restaurant business. Employees that work on ladders and scaffolds are at risk for dangerous falls as well.
- Toxic Fumes and Chemicals-Sometimes workers are exposed to toxic fumes and substances at work, which can lead to illness and disease. Toxic fume exposure can lead to illness and diseases such as Mesothelioma, Asbestosis, occupational asthma, emphysema, and more. Toxic fumes can also cause eye and skin irritations. It’s the employer's responsibility to provide protective equipment and gear for employees to keep them safe.
- Occupations at Risk for Toxic Exposure
- Welders
- Construction Workers
- Miners
- Aerospace workers
- Mechanics
- Noise Exposure-Exposure to high noise levels at work can put you at risk of hearing loss and ringing in the ears (called tinnitus). About 30 million workers a year are exposed to harmful noise levels in the United States, according to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). If you have industrial deafness due to loud noise at work, you may have a legal case.
- Repetitive Strain Injury - Some jobs require the same movement over and over again, which can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. A few jobs that can cause repetitive strain injuries include painters, welders, gardeners, administrative assistants, and more.
- Crashes and Collisions-Accidents on the job involving cars, forklifts, lorries, and trucks are fairly common. These types of accidents can cause serious injuries.
When Should You File a Third-Party Claim?
If your injury was due to your work duties or your employer was negligent in keeping you safe, you should file a workers’ compensation claim. If your injury was the result of a manufacturing or a design defect, it falls under third-party liability. Other third-party claims include injuries that take place at another business while you’re working or by a reckless third party action.
