6 Common Workplace Injuries Among Those Who Work in Healthcare

 Posted on January 20, 2023 in Workers' Compensation

Doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, and other healthcare workers spend their days keeping others safe, so it may come as a surprise to learn that healthcare workers report more workplace illnesses and injuries than workers in any other industry. Medical workers often work long hours doing physically demanding jobs like lifting and transferring patients. They also regularly work with and in close proximity to hazardous biological materials and dangerous chemicals.

Healthcare workers who are injured in the course of performing their jobs are typically entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Under workers’ compensation law, injured employees can receive financial compensation for their medical expenses and part of their lost income. If you or a loved one in the healthcare field suffered a workplace injury or illness, a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand your rights and options.

Work Injury Claims Involving Medical and Healthcare Professionals

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), healthcare and social assistance workers are injured more frequently than workers in other sectors. Unfortunately, the rate at which healthcare workers are injured is rising. OSHA reports that there was a 40 percent increase in healthcare work-related injuries and illnesses in 2020—a statistic that is perhaps unsurprising given the immense pressure put on the healthcare industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of the top causes of healthcare worker injuries and illnesses include:

1. Strains and sprains – Most people do not realize how physically demanding healthcare jobs are. Transferring patients with limited mobility can lead to injuries affecting muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs, and more.

2. Exposure to biological hazards – Medical workers may come in contact with blood or other bodily fluids carrying dangerous pathogens. Workers can become sick if they accidentally inhale or otherwise come in contact with viruses, bacteria, parasites, or other pathogens.

3. Radiation exposure – X-rays and other diagnostic tests can expose workers to dangerous levels of radiation if the proper precautions are not taken.

4. Repetitive stress injuries – Any action that is repeated again and again is hard on the body and can lead to repetitive stress injuries.

5. Slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall injuries – Environmental hazards can come in all forms. Cords and wires, loose floor tiles, and spilled liquids are just some of the many causes of slips and trips in medical facilities. Fall accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries, spine injuries, broken bones, and other painful injuries.

6. Patient violence – Sometimes, patients or their loved ones become physically aggressive with medical staff. Workers may suffer acute injuries as a result of an altercation with or an assault by a patient.

Call a Gilroy Workers’ Comp Lawyer

If you are a healthcare professional who suffered a work-related injury or illness, contact Cramer + Martinez for help. Call our Santa Clara County healthcare workers’ compensation attorneys at 408-848-1113. Set up a free, confidential consultation today. We will do everything we can to get you the benefits you need to get back on your feet again.

Source:

https://www.osha.gov/healthcare