Work-related injuries are injuries caused on the job, typically as a direct result of work-related duties. Some common work injuries include:
- Falls on the Same Level: including falls on wet and slippery office floors and slip-and-fall accidents on snow-covered surfaces.
- Over Exertion: including pulling, lifting, pushing, holding, carrying and throwing activities at work.
- Repetitive Motion: including typing on a computer, which leave muscles and tendons susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome, back injuries, vision problems, neck and shoulder pain, hand, wrist or elbow pain and other related conditions.
- Falls to a Lower Level: including falling off roofs, ladders walls and stairs.
- Bodily Reaction: injuries sustained as the body tries to compensate for tripping and slipping.
- Struck by Object: injuries sustained as a result of objects that are dropped by other workers or fall from shelves.
- Struck Against Object: running into doors, tables, chairs walls and other solid objects.
- Automobile Accidents: accidents that happen while an employee is out on official business.
- Caught in/Compressed by: workers that get hair, clothing, jewelry, fingers, arms, etc. caught in machinery or body parts that are compressed by machinery.
Workers' compensation (sometimes known as Workmen's Compensation) is designed to protect employees and their dependents from financial or emotional hardship that may arise from a work-related injury. However, injuries caused while on break or off duty and injuries resulting from negligence generally are not covered. Pre-existing conditions that occur prior to employment are not covered unless the job duties the employee is currently performing aggravates or worsens the condition.
Workers' compensation benefits cover the financial costs of medical treatment including physical therapy, hospital stays, doctor visits and prescriptions. Some state agencies allow the injured employee to choose the medical provider. Others have a closed-panel system that requires that medical treatment to be given by a medical provider that is covered under the employer's insurance company.
Work conditioning for work injuries and ergonomic assessments are often used for prevention of work injuries. Physical therapy is one of the most popular treatment methods for people who have sustained work-related injuries, because it non-invasive and workers typically typically return to work much quicker that those who get surgery.
Contact us if you have suffered a work-related injury and for more information on what may be covered under workmen's compensation.
