The Five Common Causes of Injuries at Work

Workplace injuries can be sudden and traumatic, as in the case of a fall, or they can be chronic, as in the case of tendinitis. Some of the most common include: * Slip and fall accidents – According to data from the National Floor Safety Institute, slip-and-fall accidents in the workplace are one of the leading causes of workers' compensation claims. While people over the age of 55 are most at risk for serious injury due to these accidents, anyone can suffer severe fall injuries. Slip and falls can result in broken bones, sprains, strains, and even traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that falls lead to almost half of all TBI-related hospitalizations. * Overexertion – The National Safety Council estimates that overexertion results in almost 31 percent of work-related injuries. Lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying objects can place a significant strain on the body. The back is especially susceptible to overexertion injuries. Not being instructed on how to properly lift or not being provided safety equipment for certain tasks can make employees more prone to overexertion injuries. * Repetitive motion injuries – Some injuries don't come on all of a sudden but instead happen gradually. Repetitive motion or repetitive stress injuries can cause debilitating pain. These injuries generally impact the musculoskeletal system, such as bones, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and muscle tissue. Repetitive motion injuries develop over time when an individual overuses a particular muscle or muscle group, causing microscopic tears. * Car or truck accidents – Employees across various industries can be required to operate motor vehicles in the course of their work, whether that's transporting goods, traveling to meetings, or simply running errands. When an accident happens in a company car or while conducting company business on company time, an employee may be entitled to file a workers' compensation claim. * Contact with objects or equipment – Injuries stemming from contact with machinery, equipment, or other objects are common. The National Safety Council estimates that 229,410 people were injured in contact accidents in a single recent year. Most of these individuals worked in the agriculture, construction, and transportation industries. Contact injuries can happen when a moving object hits a worker or when a worker is trapped or pinned against another object or in a piece of heavy equipment.

Top Work Injuries

by Aaron Gartlan

November 29, 2021 | Workers Compensation

If you’ve been injured in an accident at work or suffered a repetitive stress injury on the job, you might be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for your medical expenses, partial replacement of the wages you’ve lost because you’re unable to work, and the costs of your ongoing care.

Such workplace accidents are an all-too-common occurrence, and, unfortunately, they often happen for similar reasons. In this article, Gartlan Injury Law will describe some of the top work injuries we see, how they occur, and how we can help you if you’ve suffered one.

If you’ve experienced a workplace injury, contact Gartlan Injury Law today for help in seeking the benefits you deserve. We offer free initial consultations, so it won’t cost you a cent to learn more about your legal rights and how we can help.

Contents

The Top Five Common Causes of Injuries at Work
What Should You Do If You Have Been Injured at Work in Alabama?
Should I File for Alabama Workers’ Compensation After an Injury at Work?
How Can an Attorney Help Me After My Work Injury?

The Top Five Common Causes of Injuries at Work

Workplace injuries can be sudden and traumatic, as in the case of a fall, or they can be chronic, as in the case of tendinitis. Some of the most common include:

Slip and fall accidents – According to data from the National Floor Safety Institute, slip-and-fall accidents in the workplace are one of the leading causes of workers’ compensation claims. While people over the age of 55 are most at risk for serious injury due to these accidents, anyone can suffer severe fall injuries. Slip and falls can result in broken bones, sprains, strains, and even traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that falls lead to almost half of all TBI-related hospitalizations.
Overexertion – The National Safety Council estimates that overexertion results in almost 31 percent of work-related injuries. Lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying objects can place a significant strain on the body. The back is especially susceptible to overexertion injuries. Not being instructed on how to properly lift or not being provided safety equipment for certain tasks can make employees more prone to overexertion injuries.
Repetitive motion injuries – Some injuries don’t come on all of a sudden but instead happen gradually. Repetitive motion or repetitive stress injuries can cause debilitating pain. These injuries generally impact the musculoskeletal system, such as bones, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and muscle tissue. Repetitive motion injuries develop over time when an individual overuses a particular muscle or muscle group, causing microscopic tears.
Car or truck accidents – Employees across various industries can be required to operate motor vehicles in the course of their work, whether that’s transporting goods, traveling to meetings, or simply running errands. When an accident happens in a company car or while conducting company business on company time, an employee may be entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim.
Contact with objects or equipment – Injuries stemming from contact with machinery, equipment, or other objects are common. The National Safety Council estimates that 229,410 people were injured in contact accidents in a single recent year. Most of these individuals worked in the agriculture, construction, and transportation industries. Contact injuries can happen when a moving object hits a worker or when a worker is trapped or pinned against another object or in a piece of heavy equipment.

What Should You Do If You Have Been Injured at Work in Alabama?

If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, it’s understandable that your thoughts might be on your health and your recovery rather than on the steps you should take to safeguard a workers’ compensation claim. However, there are some concrete steps that you should take if at all possible to improve your chances of receiving the full benefits you deserve.

The steps include:

Report your injury. You will need to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. Your employer may specify the healthcare provider you must see to remain eligible for workers’ compensation.
Tell the doctor. When you go in to have your workplace injury treated, you will need to tell the physician how you came to be hurt. This information is crucial for the medical provider because it informs them of their need to process your paperwork.
Talk to your manager. After a workplace accident, you will need to communicate with your direct manager or supervisor. They may need more information about the accident and could have you fill out paperwork.
File written notice. Verbal notice about an accident is generally sufficient in the immediate aftermath of an incident. However, most workplaces will eventually require written notice. Keep the statement simple, accurate, and factual. Provide details of the incident such as date and time, anyone who may have witnessed the accident, and a description of what happened. Keep a copy for your records as well.
Follow all doctors’ orders. You must follow all doctors’ orders and treatment plans. Keep all your scheduled appointments and take all medications as prescribed.
Contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. After being injured on the job, your first thoughts are likely on getting the medical care you need. Unfortunately, getting this treatment may require you to jump through the hoops of the workers’ compensation system – a prospect that may prove incredibly difficult when you’re hurt, in pain, and unable to work. That’s where an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help by representing you throughout the process, allowing you time to rest and recover.

Warehouse worker after an accident in a warehouse in Alabama..

Should I File for Alabama Workers’ Compensation After an Injury at Work?

If you are hurt on the job, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, which can give you the money you need to treat your injuries and make up for part of your lost income while you recover. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can determine if you have the right to file a claim or whether there may be an alternative route to compensation.

Get in touch with a skilled workplace accident attorney as soon as possible. An attorney will review your situation and give you valuable advice on what your legal options may be. If filing for workers’ compensation is right for you, an attorney can help you with your claim and fight for the money you deserve.

How Can an Attorney Help Me After My Work Injury?

An attorney is your advocate, someone who is on your side and looking out for your best interests, not the best interests of your employer and the insurance company. A skilled attorney can review your case, investigate the accident, and present evidence to strengthen your workers’ compensation claim.

At Gartlan Injury Law, we have a committed team of legal professionals waiting to give you the service and representation you deserve. To learn more about how we can help you after a workplace injury, contact our office today for a free and confidential consultation.

Aaron Gartlan

Aaron Gartlan is a graduate of Troy University and the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law who focuses his practice exclusively on representing those injured by the wrongdoing of others. He is member of the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In addition to his legal practice, Aaron teaches Business Law as an adjunct instructor at Troy University’s Sorrell College of Business and serves as a field artillery sergeant in the Alabama National Guard.