When someone mentions a workplace injury, people often imagine some kind of awful industrial accident involving heavy equipment that results in a severe injury or even death. While those kinds of accidents do happen, there is a broad spectrum of injuries that can occur in the workplace. It’s important to note that if you’re injured on the job, you may be entitled to compensation, no matter what the injury. In this post, we want to call your attention to some of the most common workplace injuries that people tend to overlook.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Repetitive motion injuries (RMIs, for short, but also known as “repetitive strain injuries”) are injuries that arise from actions that are repeated hundreds of times throughout the day or week. An obvious example is working at a computer all day, resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome, deteriorating vision, and muscle strains in your back and neck. However, RMIs are not limited to desk jobs – any motion that is repeated over and over can eventually harm the joints, tendons, and ligaments.
Trip and Fall
These accidents can happen no matter where you work, from the floor of a factory to a retail store serving the public. You could trip over a piece of carpet or slip on a wet floor, resulting in serious injury. Maybe you walked into something and got injured. If you are injured in a fall at work, even if you think it’s due to your own clumsiness, you may have a claim.
Overexertion Injuries
These are accidents that occur when people engage in activities like lifting, pushing, or pulling something that is too large or too heavy. These can result in muscle strains and tears, back injuries, and a variety of other injuries that can limit your ability to work.
Vehicle Accidents
These are common for people such as bus drivers, cab drivers, and truck drivers, but also applies to anyone who is injured in an accident while driving for work. For example, if the office receptionist gets into an accident while picking up lunch orders for a business meeting, she may have a claim for workers’ compensation.
Environmental Injuries
These are injuries that arise from things like exposure to loud noise or toxic fumes. Sometimes these exposures are limited, resulting in only brief injury or illness. However, long-term, repeated exposure can result in illnesses and injuries that are very serious and may significantly limit your ability to work.
Workplace Violence
Unfortunately, tempers can flare among co-workers and then boil over into fights or other violence. Office politics and petty rivalries in a confined space can create a toxic atmosphere that may result in someone getting seriously injured.
Contact an Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
Workers’ Compensation claims are complicated. If you’re injured, and out of work, you need to understand your rights and know how to proceed. The attorneys at Slappey & Sadd can help you navigate your potential benefits. Call us at 404-255-6677 or email us via our online contact form in order to schedule a free consultation.