Workplace injuries occur every 7 seconds in the United States.
Injuries of this nature also contribute to more than 100 million lost days of productivity. Even more importantly, on-the-job mishaps can seriously affect quality of life and the ability to earn a living.
Below are some of the common reasons why an injured employee may need the assistance of a workers’ compensation lawyer in Orange County to secure appropriate funds for medical care and related expenses or losses.
Muscle Strain
Lifting heavy items on a regular basis can contribute to muscle strain and similar soft tissue injuries. Such injuries may also develop suddenly if a worker isn’t given proper training or access to assistance equipment such as lumbar support belts or specially designed carts or lifting devices.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Nearly 34 percent of all workplace injuries that can get serious enough to require assistance from a workers’ compensation lawyer in Orange County involve repetitive motions. Requiring workers to be in unnatural positions and a lack of regular breaks are possible types of negligence on the part of an employer that could contribute repetitive motion injuries. Office workers can be affected by similar circumstances. Not being given wrist guards or sufficient breaks, for example, could contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or tendon injuries.
Falling Objects/Equipment Contact
Twenty-six percent of all workplace injuries involve injuries resulting from a falling object or contact with a piece of work-related equipment. Injuries experienced from such sources can range from minor cuts and scrapes to crushed or mangled limbs or concussions and similar types of head injuries.
Crashes and Collisions
If the reason for a crash or collision involving a work-related vehicle is because an employer failed to maintain the vehicle, a workers’ compensation lawyer in Orange County may help an injured employee file a claim. A separate personal injury claim may also be pursued if the resulting accident was the fault of a third party driver and not due to an employer’s negligence.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Injuries classified as slips, trips, or falls account for more than a quarter of all workplace injuries. A workers’ compensation lawyer in Orange County representing an affected employee may look for signs that risks weren’t controlled properly in the workplace. For instance, spills not properly cleaned up could contribute to slips or falls that might injure a worker’s lower back or result in fractures, dislocated joints, or serious soft tissue damage.
Chemical Exposure
It’s not always possible to avoid working with dangerous chemicals. However, employers do have a responsibility to keep workers safe when it is necessary to work around hazardous chemicals, liquids, or fumes. An employer may be considered responsible for respiratory ailments, chemical burns, and other potential conditions or injuries if they failed to provide sufficient safety training or give workers appropriate safety accessories like goggles and masks.
While any worker can become injured while carrying out their job-related duties, there are some occupations that are riskier than others. Not surprisingly, the list of occupations with the most workplace accidents includes transportation and manufacturing work, service jobs, and construction-related occupations. If internal efforts to file a valid claim fail, a workers’ compensation lawyer in Orange County can step in and make an effort to facilitate the process or challenge a claim denial.