Workplace Injuries in the Nursing Industry

 Posted on September 14, 2022 in Workers' Compensation

It almost goes without saying that workplace injuries can happen in any industry. However, some professionals are more likely to experience an injury than others. For example, the construction industry is well known for its high rate of work injuries and fatalities. There is also another high-risk industry – the healthcare field—but it does not receive the same amount of attention as it should. Perhaps this is due, in part, to the reduced risk of immediate fatality from an injury. Whatever the reason for the lack of discussion may be, injuries in the healthcare field deserve to be talked about.

Nurses Are Especially Prone to Back Injuries

On any given day, a nurse can cumulatively lift thousands of pounds. They must move patients and may even be required to help a person up that has passed out or fallen. Rarely is there equipment nearby to help – and even when there is, the situation may be too emergent to wait for the machinery to do its job. So, nurses lift. They bend. They lift and bend, all at the same time. Good body mechanics can help, but it is far from fail-proof.

Long-term work as a nurse, and years of lifting and transferring patients, can take a toll on the muscles and structures of the back. A sudden slip of a patient while transferring can suddenly pull a nurse in the wrong direction. Add all of that to several hours (often 12 or more) of walking and standing, and it is no wonder that back injuries are among the most common injuries for nurses.

Assault Is Surprisingly Common

Assault is yet another common, but often misrepresented, injury risk among nurses. It is most common among those who work within assisted living facilities, such as residential centers for patients with disabilities or the elderly. However, assaults can and do occur in emergency rooms and hospitals as well. Patients who are suffering from a diabetic crash, brain injury, or some sort of illness or injury that changes the way their brain functions could react in ways that are not typical. An example would be attacking someone who is trying to help them, such as their nurse. It is not an overly common occurrence, but when it happens, the resulting injuries can be severe.

Speak With a Santa Clara County Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you or someone you love has been injured while working as a nurse, it is important that you seek experienced legal assistance. Not only do you have to worry about the time you may miss healing from the initial injury, but you should also consider how your injury will affect your future. Let Cramer + Martinez help you navigate the complex process. Call 408-848-1113 and schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced Gilroy workers’ compensation benefits lawyers today.

Source: 

https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2018/article/occupational-injuries-and-illnesses-among-registered-nurses.htm