Types of Workplace Accidents in Workers’ Comp Claims

November 1, 2018

According to the National Safety Council, a worker is injured every seven seconds on the job. The types of injuries sustained are often life-changing, keeping workers away from their jobs.

There are many types of workplace accidents that cause workers to suffer injuries that are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, you may be able to recover benefits such as medical bills and lost wages.

Our Phoenix workers’ compensation attorneys are here to assist with your claim, helping you access the benefits you deserve. Read on to learn more about the common types of accidents involved with workers’ compensation cases and request a free, no obligation legal consultation to discuss your claim.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Employers typically take great precautions to prevent slip and fall accidents, enforcing safety regulations and requiring workers to wear non-slip footwear or other protective equipment.

Even so, slip and fall accidents do still occur in the workplace. Slip and fall accidents account for 25 percent of all workplace injuries. These accidents can include falls on the same level or a fall to a lower level. Workers can slip on wet or oily surfaces, loose mats or on uneven flooring.

Falling Objects

Falling hazards can exist in many different kinds of workplaces across multiple industries. Workers can be struck by a fallen object if an item falls from a shelf, or materials are dropped from a higher level such as on a construction site. This type of accident can cause serious or even fatal injuries.

Fires and Explosions

Fires and explosions at work can happen unexpectedly, typically related to risk factors including improperly stored combustibles, malfunctioning gas lines, poor pipe fittings and open flames. Fires and explosions are responsible for three percent of all workplace injuries. They also carry the highest casualty rate among the types of accidents that can occur in the workplace.

In the event of a fire or explosion on the job, serious injuries can occur including:

Vehicle-Related Accidents

Vehicle-related accidents for workers’ compensation claims are just like regular car accidents, but they happen while a worker is driving for business purposes. Depending on the scenario, a work-related vehicle accident may occur in a personal or company vehicle. Police officers and people who travel for business are at a higher likelihood of this type of workers’ compensation accident.

Workers can also be struck or injured by vehicles passing by while working in traffic zones or repairing roads.

Machinery Accidents

Machinery accidents can cause great harm. These accidents often involve an employee being crushed by a piece of machinery or being trapped in or pinned by it. Due to the risks associated with using heavy machinery, workers should be properly trained on the equipment before using it. To prevent machinery accidents, equipment should be well maintained.

Workplace Violence

Workplace violence is more common among certain types of workers, making up 20 percent of work-related injuries and deaths. These include:

These positions require a high level of physical activity and being exposed to potentially dangerous situations, increasing their risk of injury.

Overexertion or Repetitive Stress Injuries

Overexertion injuries result from lifting, pushing, pulling or throwing an object. This type of injury is common in jobs involving physical labor, such as in a factory or on a construction site. Overexertion injuries are the most common workplace injuries, according to the Department of Labor, leading to pulled muscles and joints moving beyond their normal range of motion.

Repetitive stress injuries result from the repetitive motions required to perform certain types of job activities. When a worker must perform the same actions over and over, injuries such as carpal tunnel, tendonitis and bursitis can result. These injuries are common among assembly line workers, workers who type regularly and those performing repetitive lifting.

Speak with a Phoenix Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you were injured in a work-related accident, you may be eligible for compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages and other damages. The Phoenix workers’ compensation lawyers at Phillips Law Group will evaluate your case and let you know what legal options may be available.

Request a free, no obligation consultation today. We charge no upfront fees and payment is only owed if we recover compensation in your case.

Call 1-800-706-3000 or fill out ourFree Case Evaluation formnow.