CHICAGO, IL – Workplace accidents can occur in various ways and can be costly to both businesses and injured employees. Some personal injuries can leave you catastrophically injured and can leave you with a permanent injury. Serious, non-fatal workplace injuries account for nearly $60 billion in U.S. workers’ compensation costs, according to Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index. Here are the top five common types of personal injuries that occur in workplace settings:
1. Slip and Fall
Slips, trips, and falls make up one-third of all personal injuries in the workplace and are a leading cause of all workers’ compensation claims. The types of injuries incurred include head, back, and neck injuries, broken bones, cuts, sprains, and pulled muscles.
Common reasons for falls include wet surfaces, spills, weather hazards like ice, loose rugs, poor lighting, and uneven walking surfaces.
2. Being Struck By or Caught In Moving Machinery
While machinery is more common in factories with farm equipment or construction, any
machinery that’s not properly guarded is a safety hazard. Body parts or clothing can easily get caught in machinery, leaving catastrophic and life-long injuries. The best way to prevent mechanical hazards is to remember the machinery must be safeguarded at all times, and proper operator training and protective equipment should always be provided.
3. Vehicle-Related Accidents
Where there are vehicles of any kind, there are potential for accidents. This may include being struck or ran over by a moving vehicle, falling from a vehicle, being struck by objects falling from a vehicle, or getting crushed or stuck under a vehicle. You can avoid these types of injury-prone situations by assessing who’s at risk, and when and where accidents most commonly occur.
4. Fire and Explosions
Explosions in workplaces are often caused by faulty gas lines, improperly stored combustible materials, or open flames. Damage can be caused to your respiratory system, varying degrees of burns, and potential disfigurement. Explosions and fires account for 3 percent of workplace injuries and have the highest casualty rate of all probable workplace injury accidents.
5. Repetitive Stress and Overexertion Injuries
Complaints of back pain alone cost employers more than $7 billion annually and lead to more than 100 lost workdays each year. Musculoskeletal disorders are the most costly workplace injury.
Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) are the fasting growing category of workplace injury and comprise more than 100 types of job-induced injuries. Common causes of these injuries include improper lifting or manually lifting heavy objects, no breaks, and intensive keying. With repetitive work, short breaks are required or the work may result in wear and tear on the body. Constant typing and clicking will strain muscles and tendons.
Injured at Your Workplace?
Call one of our experienced personal injury lawyers at the Dinizulu Law Group at (312) 384-1920 for a free consultation. Our skilled attorneys have years of combined practice and have the resources and the skills to fight for the compensation that you deserve.
