Work related injuries vary depending on the kind of job you have. It is still a common misconception that work injuries deal more with blue collar jobs like construction or manufacturing companies because those workers deal with heavy machinery and risky environments. However, work related injuries don’t always happen in jobs with big machines or heavy loads. Work related injuries happen in low physical jobs like desk jobs. When you narrow the specific kind of injury, like orthopedic injury, the class of people gets narrower.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) research suggests that health care workers are still #1 in on-the-job injuries. This occupation accounts for 20% of all “non-fatal occupational injuries across the country”. The most cited reason for health care worker injury is patient handling. The CDC reported that an average rate of 11.3 per 10,000 worker-months for patient handling. Slips and falls occurred at a rate of 9.6 with workplace violence from patients at a rate of 4.9. However, all three of these categories have been steadily rising. Of course, hospitals have been eager to implement tools and training to help hospital workers, but as the trend suggests, this isn’t going to solve all the problems or save all the health care workers.
Orthopedic injuries are injuries like sprained ankles, ACL tears, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, shoulder dislocation, rotator cuff tear, stress factors, etc. Notice that these injuries seem mild in comparison to thinking of a giant piece of cement falling on a construction worker. Regardless, you are still entitled to workers compensation. Your injury is worth fighting for compensation.
Document, document, document. This is so important. Keep a journal of all your doctor’s appointments, make sure you follow the rules necessary for workers compensation by telling your superior what is happening, and be sure to find your self a workers compensation lawyer. If you are or a loved one is dealing with some orthopedic injury related to work please give us a call at 818-609-7005 or click here for more information.
Even though your job has workers compensation insurance it does not mean that it has your interest at heart. For example, as a nurse you shifts are long and exhausting. You deal with situations that most people never dream or hear about. You are the angels that help the sick all through the night then take care of your families through the day. Your job is meant to protect you, but everyone has a bottom line. Do not let the insurance companies bully you in to be okay with their bottom line.
If you are injured and have left you out of work, loss of a job, or chronic pain you may have a special case that needs more than the average compensation. By calling our orthopedic injury lawyers at Law Offices of Kropach & Kropach in Los Angeles at 818-609-7005, we can start your case today starting with a free consultation.
