Workplace injuries are more common than most people realize. In fact, in 2020 alone, more than 1 million individuals suffered nonfatal workplace injuries that resulted in missed work. And those who are injured on the job tend to face significant damages, including lost wages and incurred medical debt. Taken together, these losses can leave a workplace accident victim struggling to get by, uncertain of what the future has in store for them.
Fortunately, those who are injured in these accidents may be able to secure financial relief through the workers’ compensation system. But before these benefits can be acquired, injured workers must file a claim and demonstrate that they suffered injuries on the job and are unable to work on account of the harm that’s been caused to them.
In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the most common injuries that workers have suffered in recent years.
Most common workplace injuries suffered by workers
There’s a wide variety of injuries and medical conditions that can be suffered due to workplace accidents and exposure to dangerous environments. Here are some of the most common injuries that workers have faced in the 2020s:
- Over-exertion: Non-contact injuries suffered while lifting, pushing, turning, holding, and carrying materials are quite common, resulting in over 1 million cases in 2021-2022 where workers had to miss work. These individuals often suffered pulled muscles and back and knee injuries that can be painful and that require a long recovery.
- Repetitive motion injuries: Repetitive motions can take a toll on the body, creating an unusual amount of pressure on certain joints and muscles. As a result, those who conduct repetitive motions day in and day out can suffer extensive injuries that result in pain, numbness, swelling, and lack of mobility.
- Slips, trips and falls: Statistics from the National Safety Council show that nearly 675,000 people missed work in 2021-2022 due to injuries suffered in a slip, trip, or fall. These accidents are extremely common, as workplaces are susceptible to slick surfaces and crowded walkways.
- Contact injuries: The second leading cause of workplace injuries is contact with equipment and other objects in the workplace. This includes being hit by a piece of machinery like a forklift or being crushed by a falling object. Workers can also be pinched by workplace equipment, burned by a hot surface, or suffer harm due to contact with excessive vibration or friction.
- Exposure to dangerous substances: Those workers who encounter hazardous materials are at an increased risk of being harmed. That’s probably why the National Safety Council’s study found that about 96% of those who filed claims based on contact with a dangerous substance or dangerous environment resulted in time away from work. This can include exposure to harmful chemicals, but it also includes workplace injuries suffered due to exposure to electricity, radiation, a traumatic situation and even areas that are deprived of oxygen.
Have you suffered any of these common workplace injuries?
If so, then you’re probably looking for a way to stabilize your finances while you focus on regaining your health and returning to work. It can be a difficult process where you have to fight more than you expected to acquire what you deserve, but don’t give you.
Continue to advocate for what you need and deserve so that you’re not left in a dire financial predicament.