Sustaining injuries while in a workplace is quite common. Even if your organization is extremely careful, and has proper risk management in place, the employees might still get hurt. However, when an employee injures themselves in a workplace, then that employee is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. There are many different reasons why people file workers’ compensation claims. Claims for various types of benefits may result from various injuries. Most of the time, when individuals consider worker’s compensation, they primarily consider serious on-the-job injuries, which typically occur in positions that require a lot of physical exertion. Nonetheless, serious injuries can happen to employees who work in many industries and engage in a variety of commercial activities. Here are some of the common worker’s compensation claims.
Employees who closely work with metal tools and sharp utensils are at a huge risk to have lacerations. An employee’s capacity to do their duties may be hampered by injuries to their hands and fingers. This frequent occupational accident can be prevented by training and making sure the workplace is safe. For tiny cuts that may be treated with first aid, workers’ compensation benefits are not initiated. Yet, when cuts and wounds need sutures or other medical attention, employers are required to give medical care.
Fractures
It could take weeks or months for broken bones to heal. Prior to the fracture fully healing, injured workers may return to work with limitations. However, companies frequently forbid injured workers from going back to work until their recovery is almost fully complete. While most fractures heal without complications, some broken bones produce ongoing discomfort or other issues that result in long-term damage. Falling objects, equipment collisions, equipment breakdowns, road accidents, and equipment impacts can all result in broken or fractured bones. Workers’ compensation claims for fractures are frequently made by delivery drivers, construction workers, manufacturing workers, and retail staff who use ladders to collect inventory.
Sprains and Strains
Ligaments that are stretched or torn experience sprains. The joints most frequently impacted by sprains are the ankles and knees. Similar to tears, muscles, and tendons that are stretched or torn experience strains. Lower back, upper back, shoulder, and hamstring pain are common symptoms of strains. Overstretching muscles, tendons, or ligaments frequently results in strains and sprains.
Compared to other significant health issues, these injuries cause the most lost workdays. Sprains and strains can be avoided through warm-up exercises, regular stretching breaks, lifting technique instruction, ergonomic gear, and other measures that make the workplace ergonomically efficient for the worker performing the task.
Contusions
Contusions or bruises occur when the tiny blood vessels beneath the surface are crushed without skin breakage. A contusion may be as trivial as a muscle bruise or as catastrophic as brain damage with internal hemorrhage. Deep bruises can make it challenging for workers to walk, bend, sit, climb stairs, or perform other essential tasks at work, even though a moderate contusion might not necessitate treatment or compel one to miss work. Contusions can occur due to slipping and falling, being crushed, or being hit by an object. When a contusion is abnormally painful, restricts motion, or looks to be getting worse over time, injured workers should let their employers know that they require a medical checkup.
Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can be more severe and can have long-lasting effects on employees. Burn injuries may necessitate skin grafting surgery and result in permanent scarring. Businesses can lower the risk of burn injuries by adhering to the standards established by OSHA and, if necessary, providing personal protective equipment (PPE). Burn injuries are commonly seen in the restaurant sector, but they also occur regularly in laundries, construction, or anywhere where there are furnaces, steam, chemicals, or electricity. Due to the deeper tissue damage caused by electrical burns, they can be more harmful than heat-related burns.
How Do Worker’s Compensation Benefit The Injured Employees?
The injuries mentioned above result in claims for workers’ compensation temporary and it enables the employees to receive total disability benefits in addition to medical care. One may not be able to work at all due to workplace injuries. The injured worker will receive temporary disability benefits until he is able to return to work if the work restrictions prevent him from performing the tasks that the employer is prepared to assign. A wounded worker may be allowed to return to work with some limitations or restrictions in some cases as a result of work-related injuries. The wounded worker will receive temporary disability benefits until he is able to return to work if the work restrictions prevent him from performing the tasks that the employer is prepared to assign. A wide range of injuries in all industries is covered by worker’s compensation. As a result, you qualify for a worker’s compensation claim if you suffer an injury while performing your job.