Types of Workplace Injuries

Though there are some industries that have higher risks for serious and sometimes fatal workplace injuries, all workers are essentially at risk for injuries on the job. Slips, trips, and falls, degloving accidents, electrical accidents, weather related illnesses and injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and repetitive stress injuries can result in emergencies and long recovery periods.

When a workplace injury happens, Workers’ Compensation benefits can help reduce the financial burdens that result from medical costs and lost wages.

These are just some of the common workplace injuries that can lead to Workers’ Compensation claims:

Head and Brain Injuries: These types of injuries are the most devastating of all workplace accidents. Fractured skulls, traumatic brain injury, and concussions can leave workers with cognitive and physical impairment that can be permanent.

Brain injuries typically require long recovery periods, along with intensive therapy and medical intervention. Workers that fall from high places, are struck by objects, or come into contact with heavy equipment and machinery are prone to head and brain injuries.

Back and Neck Injuries: This type of injury typically occurs from slips, trips, and falls, repetitive tasks, and lifting of heavy objects. Neck and back injuries can result in chronic pain that interferes with a worker’s ability to perform their work duties.

Surgery, physical therapy, and long recovery periods are typical for this type of injury. In some cases, back and neck injuries can result in permanent disability.

Orthopedic Injuries: Orthopedic injuries to the feet, legs, arms, hands, and shoulders commonly result from work that requires prolonged standing, lifting, stretching, or bending. When workers suffer torn tendons and ligaments, bone fractures and spurs, and joint damage, surgery requiring long recovery periods and physical rehabilitation is often necessary.

Further, medical bills can be extensive from the costs of ongoing physical therapy, prescription pain medication, and anti-inflammatory medication.

Burn Injuries: Burn injuries are one of the most painful and life-threatening injuries that can happen. Victims most often suffer burns from fire related accidents, explosions, electrocution, and exposure to toxic chemicals.

Burn injury victims face extensive hospitalization, surgeries, skin grafts, and physical therapy, which can result in astronomical medical bills, along with excruciating pain and suffering.

Workers that suffer burn injuries require extensive time out of work, sometimes resulting in permanent disability.

Amputation: Workers in the construction and manufacturing industry are at high risk for amputations. Clothing and limbs that get caught in heavy machinery, working with sharp, high-powered tools, and repairing heavy equipment can sever hands, arms, feet, and legs.

This type of injury can be life-altering, and leave victims permanently disabled. Ongoing physical therapy, prosthetics, and disability are common with this type of injury.

Scars and Disfigurement: Workplace accidents that result in scarring and disfigurement can leave workers emotionally distraught and often reluctant to re-enter the workforce. Counseling and readjustment can take a long time, leaving workers facing financial as well as emotional damages.

Fatal Injuries: When a worker suffers a fatal injury at work, their families and loved ones suffer. Workers’ Compensation benefits can help the family to cope financially as they focus on mourning the loss of their loved one.