23 Jun 10 Common Workers Compensation Claims

Workers’ compensation, also known as workers’ comp, is a form of insurance designed to help employees recover from injuries sustained while at work. Every state has different laws pertaining to workers compensation programs and those living in New Jersey enjoy a wide range of benefits including medical expenses, death benefits, lost wages, time off work, rehab services, and more.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 1 million injuries happen every year in the US with an average recuperation time of 8 days.

Here are the top 10 common types of injuries sustained in the workplace.

1) Overexertion

Overexertion injuries arise when one lifts, pulls, pushes or throws something, causing bodily harm. This is most commonly seen in factory jobs, construction jobs, or jobs where physical labor is necessary. This is also commonly seen in police officers. This is the most common injury seen in the workplace, according to a study from the Department of Labor.

2) Slip and Falls

Many of the slip, trip, and fall claims arise from workers slipping on wet floors around the workplace. Many of these cases are also related to individuals slipping and falling on snowy walkways. Many security workers, groundskeepers, and store clerks can fall victim to wet floors such as in a store with a freshly mopped floor, or a groundskeeper walking around the outside of the building.

3) Falls to Lower Level

Falls to a lower level typically happen when a worker falls off a roof, ladder or falls down a flight of stairs. Roofers falling from a roof, construction workers slipping off a multi-level workspace, and teachers falling down stairs are all instances of falling to lower levels.

4) Bodily Reaction

A bodily reaction injury occurs when one slips or trips, avoids the fall, but inadvertently gets twisted or injured in the process of staying upright. Common bodily reaction injuries include a twisted ankle or strained back. This can happen anywhere, to anyone, at any time. Most commonly this is seen in police officers and nurses.

5) Struck by An Object

This injury occurs most commonly when something falls off a shelf, or things are dropped by another worker onto a lower level. Office workers, along with restaurant & retail workers are all in danger of being struck by something.

6) Struck Against an Object

This type of injury occurs when an individual is physically forced into something such as a bookshelf, barricade, or other stationary object. Office workers and factory workers can easily become a victim of falling into something.

7) Highway Incident

Especially in the cases of drivers of trucks, one of the top causes of injury is an accident while driving on the roadway for business purposes. This is also a common occurrence for traveling business representatives and police officers.

8) Machinery Accidents

Machinery accidents are typically reported in cases where large, heavy machinery has injured a worker by crushing extremities. Most commonly seen in factories or construction workers, these accidents can have huge medical cost ramifications. Keeping employees knowledgeable on equipment, along with keeping that equipment maintained are two important factors in protecting employees from injury.

9) Repetitive Motion Injury

A repetitive motion injury is harder to prove as there is no acute injury. These injuries result from workers doing the same motions over and over. Some examples of repetitive motion injuries can include using a mouse, sitting at a desk, lifting boxes, and working on an assembly line. Medically speaking, common injuries from repetitive or cumulative motions are tendonitis and carpal tunnel.

10) Workplace violence

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 375 workers were killed in shootings while on the job in 2012, of which robbers accounted for 33% of that figure, and co workers accounted for 13%.

Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you’ve been injured while at work, please contact The Law Offices of Jeffrey M. Bloom for a consultation on your workers’ compensation claim – (855) 208-3650.