The most common healthcare workplace accidents and injuries

Due to the physically demanding nature of working in healthcare, medical professionals like doctors, nurses, and other providers often face risks of injuries at work. In fact, healthcare workers suffer more workplace injuries and occupational illnesses that result in days missed from work than workers in the construction and manufacturing industries. 

Although healthcare workers may suffer from any kind of injury or accident on the job, below we will discuss some of the most common healthcare workplace accidents and injuries. 

Common Injuries Suffered by Healthcare Workers

Some of the most frequently occurring injuries for healthcare workers include:

• Lacerations
• Bruising
• Puncture wounds
• Burns
• Sprains
• Strains
• Broken bones

However, many healthcare workers do not report the work injuries they sustain, with many reporting that they continue to report to work while experiencing pain or taking sick days to recover from injuries.

Frequent Healthcare Workplace Accidents

The most common workplace accidents that injured healthcare workers include:

• Overexertion — Overexertion is arguably the most common healthcare workplace accident, often caused by having to lift and move heavy objects or move or reposition patients
• Slip and fall and trip and fall accidents — Hospitals and healthcare facilities can be filled with all kinds of slipping or tripping hazards, including spills, recently mopped or waxed floors, damaged flooring, and loose wires, cords, or tubing
• Equipment accidents — Healthcare workers can also injure themselves while using medical equipment, or by puncturing or cutting themselves with sharp objects like needles or surgical instruments
• Violence — Unfortunately, violence is commonplace in hospital and healthcare settings. Healthcare workers face significant threats of being assaulted on the job by distressed or mentally disturbed patients or family members. Violence committed by co-workers is also a real possibility in hospitals or healthcare facilities. 
• Exposure and infection — Healthcare workers may be exposed to toxic or hazardous substances used in healthcare settings, especially when proper handling protocols and personal protective equipment are not used. Workers are also at risk of infection by diseases that patients are being treated for, either through airborne transmission or bloodborne transmission through accidental needlesticks.

Your Rights as an Injured Healthcare Worker

If you are a healthcare worker who was injured on the job, you may be entitled to obtain financial recovery through Workers’ Compensation. Workers’ comp benefits include:

• Reasonable and necessary medical treatment for a work-related injury or illness
• Partial wage replacement if you miss time from work while recovery from injury or illness
• Disability benefits if you are partially or totally disabled due to a work injury or illness

Depending on the circumstances of the work accident or incident that caused your injury or illness, you may also be entitled to pursue a third-party personal injury claim against a party or parties at fault for the harm you have suffered. Third-party injury claims may be filed in addition to pursuing your rights under the Workers’ Compensation system. A Workers’ Compensation attorney can walk you through your rights and options and assist with ensuring you recover maximum compensation after being injured at work. 

Contact a Clark Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Discuss Your New Jersey Workplace Injury Case

A workplace injury can be devastating, particularly if it prevents you from returning to work for an extended period of time. Although New Jersey Workers’ Compensation laws are supposed to provide you with medical treatment and replacement pay for missed time at work, it is not always easy to get the Workers’ Comp benefits you deserve. That is why you should speak with a knowledgeable Workers’ Compensation lawyer about your situation and get guidance throughout the claims process. The experienced Workers’ Compensation attorneys at Team Law represent clients in Paterson, Elizabeth, Clifton, Trenton, and all across New Jersey. Call (732) 540-1394 or fill out our online contact form today to schedule a free consultation about your work injury case. Our main office is located at 136 Central Avenue, Clark, NJ 07066, and we also have offices in West New York, Perth Amboy, Edison, Summit, Newark, New Brunswick, Orange, Plainfield, and Jersey City.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.