When an employee is injured, it might happen fast or occur to the individual over time. A broken bone resulting from a fall at work, a burn from a chemical explosion, neck trauma from a car crash – these injuries are unmistakable and instantaneous. However, other injuries, like overexertion or exposure to chemicals might start as a slight problem but develop into a significant source of discomfort and pain. Often workers even recognize that an injury has transpired until hours or even days after the occurrence.

Still, some work-related injuries may happen so slowly that the damage affecting a worker’s day-to-day tasks and life may take years to develop. These injuries can have severe physical, emotional, and financial ramifications. Our workplace injury attorneys are familiar with state workers’ compensation and third party liability laws and are ready to assist you for your workplace injury. Contact our firm today 954.473.0011.

Top Workplace Injury Causes

The three leading causes of work-related injuries account for more than 84% of all nonfatal injuries involving days away from work. These top causes include overexertion and bodily reaction, trips, slips and falls, and contact with objects and equipment.

Overexertion and bodily reaction

This includes non-impact injuries that stem from excessive physical effort directed at an outside source; common activities include carrying, lifting, turning, pushing, holding, or throwing. Overexertion and bodily reaction also include repetitive motion. Repetitive motion can be defined as microtasks that result in strain or stress on a part of the body due to the repetitive essence of the motion, generally without strenuous attempts such as lifting heavy objects. The age group most at risk for overexertion and bodily reaction is 45 to 64. Workers in transportation and warehousing are noted as most at risk for injuries caused by overexertion and physical response. Workers who experience overexertion and bodily reaction most frequently injure their back. If you have experienced a workplace injury caused by overexertion and bodily reaction, contact our firm today to learn how we could assist you.

Slips, trips and falls

This includes injuries that occur when a worker:

• Catches themself from falling due to a slip or trip
• Falls, trips, or slips onto or against something on the same level
• Falls to a lower level, including from a collapsing structure, through surfaces, from roofs, ladders, scaffolding, or other structures
• Jumps to a lower level

Workers aged 55 and over and work in transportation, warehousing, and agriculture are the most at risk for a trip, slip or fall. The most frequent type of injury are tears, strains, and sprains.

Contact with Objects and Equipment

This includes the following:

• A worker injured by moving machinery or sharp blades
• A worker struck by a moving object
• A worker striking against equipment or an object
• Kicking, bumping into, stepping on, or being thrown or pushed onto an object
• A worker’s body part being pinched, squeezed, crushed, or compressed between shifting objects, in equipment, or a rope or wire
• A worker caught, struck, or crushed in equipment, a collapsing structure, or material
• Injuries as a result of pressure or friction between the worker and the source of injury
• Injuries from vibration
• Injury from cars, trucks, or other motorized vehicles

Workers in construction, transportation, agriculture, and warehousing are considered the most at risk for injuries resulting from contact with objects and equipment. The age group most affected by these injuries is 16 to 24. Cuts, punctures, and lacerations are the most frequent injuries caused by contact with objects and equipment.

Seeking Legal Assistance After a Workplace Injury

There is no doubt that experiencing a workplace injury can be stressful not only on your body but also on your emotional state and day-to-day life. If you have been hurt on the job and need legal assistance, our firm can help. Contact Us today for your free, no-obligation initial consultation. Call 954.473.0011.