What Are the Most Common Workplace Injuries?

 Posted on August 26, 2019 in Workers' Compensation

When an employee is significantly injured at work, people may assume that their employer will be more than willing to pay out the workers’ compensation payments to which they are entitled. However, this is not always the case, even in a state such as Illinois in which workers’ comp benefits are mandated. In reality, many companies will do whatever they can to avoid paying workers’ compensation benefits in full, or they may attempt to avoid making these payments altogether. However, since employees commonly experience workplace injuries, it is important to understand the steps you can take to ensure you will receive the compensation you and your family deserve if you are hurt on the job. 

Frequent Workplace Injuries 

While injuries in the workplace vary across different industries, there are a number of serious incidents that are common throughout all lines of work. Slip and fall injuries are some of the most common workplace incidents that can come with significant health ramifications. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, slips and falls resulted in the death of more than 800 workers throughout the United States in 2016 alone. Falls are increasingly common in the construction industry, where employers often fail to adhere to nationally recognized safety standards and OSHA regulations. In other fields, poorly lit rooms or poorly maintained stairways can be the culprit in a slip and fall.

For people working in the fossil fuel, chemical research, and electrical industries, shocks, burns, and exposure to toxic substances are common types of injuries experienced in the workplace. Both burns and electrical shocks can permanently impact a person’s ability to work and provide for his or her family. Moreover, these injuries can lead to chronic pain and other life-altering medical complications. 

Securing Workers’ Compensation 

The first step you can take to ensure that your family will receive the compensation you deserve after suffering an injury in the workplace is hiring an experienced attorney. Many companies are notorious for intimidating injured employees out of filing a workers’ compensation claim or offering minimal payments as a means of getting the injured party to drop the case. A skilled attorney will look over your case and dive into the circumstances that led to the injury. While injuries suffered at work may have been caused by the negligence of the employer, an employee is entitled to receive workers' comp benefits, regardless of who was at fault for the injury. Fighting against an employer can be incredibly intimidating. Some employers will say that the employee was acting recklessly or that the injuries suffered were partially pre-existing. These scare tactics should not dissuade you from fighting for the compensation you and your family need to address your medical bills and any loss of income you have experienced. 

Contact a Skilled Arlington Heights Workers’ Compensation Attorney 

If you have suffered an injury at work, you need guidance from an experienced legal professional. At Newland & Newland, L.L.P., we are prepared to do everything in our power to ensure that your family is taken care of. In addition to helping you file a workers' comp claim, we can work with you to pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against any third parties who may have been responsible for your injury. With years of experience helping injured workers throughout Illinois secure compensation, we are confident in our ability to aggressively represent you in court. To schedule a complimentary initial consultation with one of our knowledgeable Schaumburg workplace injury lawyers, call us today at 847-797-8000. 

Sources:

https://smallbusiness.chron.com/top-10-causes-workplace-injuries-11298.html

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2430