If you sustained an injury on the job, you're not alone. Workplace injuries happen every day in all types of professions. Injured employees may be unable to work and in need of medical assistance. Workers may be eligible for assistance through workers' compensation benefits in most cases. Here is a look at ten of the most common workplace injuries we see at Church Church Hittle and Antrim.

1. Slip and Falls

Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere, and the workplace is no exception. These types of injuries are prevalent in factories and warehouses. Stacked inventory, freshly mopped floors, and spills are some of the hazards workers face every day.

2. Falls From Heights

Another type of fall that is very dangerous is when a worker falls from a height. Construction and professional cleaning services are a couple of industries where workers are on scaffolding or platforms. Falling from a higher elevation can be deadly. At a minimum, someone might have internal bleeding or broken bones.

3. Exposure to Harmful Substances, Diseases, or Environments

Exposure to harmful substances or environments has moved up on the most common work-related injuries list in the past couple of years. That's primarily because of COVID-19. According to the NSC, healthcare workers and those involved in social assistance have been some of the most affected.

4. Struck by a Moving or Stationary Object

Workers can be struck by a moving object or injure themselves on a stationary one. Forklifts, dangerous machinery, falling boxes or tools etc., can all present hazards for workers. If you get hit on the head, there's a risk of a traumatic brain injury. Workers also risk striking stationary objects, such as a pole or wall.

5. Repetitive Motion Injuries

Repetitive motion injuries are exactly what they sound like. When a worker makes the same motion repeatedly, injuries can develop over time. One example is carpal tunnel syndrome, a common injury for people who work in offices or on assembly lines. Repetitive motion injuries can take years to develop. Employers need to ensure regular breaks and provide workers with ergonomic equipment.

6. Overexertion

When workers strain too hard while completing a job task, they can develop overexertion injuries. Examples include strained, sprained, or torn muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It's not uncommon for the person to develop chronic pain as well. Using proper lifting techniques can help reduce the risk of overexertion injuries.

7. Entanglement

Entanglement injuries are terrifying and often have catastrophic results. These accidents happen when a worker's limb, hair, or clothing becomes caught in heavy machinery. Injuries can include crushed or severed limbs and death.

8. Electrocution

Workers exposed to dangerous utilities or power lines are typically the most at risk for electrocution injuries, but they can happen anywhere. Construction sites are one of the most common places where electrocution injuries occur.

9. Motor Vehicle Accidents

Not all workplace accidents take place in the office or job site. People who drive as part of their regular employment duties are at risk for accidents on the road. Businesses with vehicles should provide workers with proper driver safety courses and monitor drivers. Work-related motor vehicle accidents aren't limited to workers who regularly drive either. If your boss asks you to drop something off to a client or attend a seminar and you're involved in an accident, it can also be classified as a workplace injury.

10. Workplace Violence

Unfortunately, workplace violence is also one of the most common work-related injuries. Sometimes these are disputes between two workers that turn violent. Other times, it's customers and employees that get into arguments. We've all seen the videos online of customers attacking employees in fast-food restaurants and unruly passengers on airplanes. Unfortunately, the current pandemic is bringing out the worst in some people, leading to more disputes and disagreements.

Workplace Injury Statistics

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than 5,300 workers died on the job in 2019. That works out to more than 100 deaths every week or about 15 fatalities per day. Construction is a notoriously dangerous profession, with around 20% of total fatalities related to workers in construction jobs. OSHA has designated the "Fatal Four," which are the most common work-related injuries that lead to death for construction workers:

• Falls,
• Being struck by an object,
• Electrocutions, and
• Machine entanglement.

Some of the most frequent OSHA violations in the fiscal year 2020 include:

• Failing to provide proper fall protection systems;
• Failing to provide employees with respiratory protection;
• Not conducting proper fall protection training for employees;
• Not adequately warning employees of potential hazards;
• Failing to provide eye and face protection for employees; and
• Not having adequate machine guards.

Employers can reduce many common workplace injuries by taking proper safety precautions and ensuring adequate employee training, especially for those working in dangerous jobs.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

If you sustained injuries on the job, you could have legal recourse through workers' compensation benefits. In some instances, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim for your damages against a liable third party. If you sustained any of these types of workplace injuries, consider speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.

CCHA Law has been serving legal clients in Indiana for over 140 years. We understand the nuances of workplace injury claims and how to maximize your potential benefits. Contact our office to schedule an initial consultation. Let us review your injury claim and help you identify the best course of legal action.