Types of Work Injuries

Common Work-Related Injuries

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Back injuries are a very common type of work injury. This is especially true for nurses and other healthcare workers who regularly lift and reposition patients. Workers of any profession may also sustain a back injury as the result of a fall or lifting, bending, or twisting to perform their job duties.  Common back injuries include lumbar strains and sprains, herniated discs, and aggravation of pre-existing degenerative disc disease, to name a few.

Spinal cord injuries are not as common but are equally, if not more, severe. Injury to the spinal cord can result in weakness, incoordination, loss of bladder or bowel control, or paralysis to part or all of the body. Severe spinal cord injuries often leave workers unable to return to their place of employment and may require Ohio permanent total disability benefits (PTD) through the workers’ comp system.

Head Injury / TBI

Workplace accidents account for nearly a quarter of all traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Slips and falls, being struck in the head by falling items, falling from heights, and motor vehicle accidents are the most prevalent causes of head injury in the workplace.

Head or brain injuries, including concussions, are generally more complicated than other job-related injuries. They also require more extensive medical treatment and can result in lengthier recovery times. That’s why it’s vital for injured workers to seek legal counsel right away to help them obtain the benefits they are entitled to.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

Employees can experience repetitive motion injuries in a variety of different jobs, from factory work to construction to even office jobs. These injuries occur when a worker performs repetitive tasks hundreds or thousands of times per day as a part of their job duties. Such injuries may include:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Carpal tunnel is a condition caused by the compression or squeezing of a nerve in the hand or arm. Carpal tunnel syndrome often causes pain, tingling, and numbness in the wrist and hand. Individuals who work at a computer and are regularly typing are specifically prone to this condition.
• Bursitis: This painful condition occurs when bursae, which are tiny fluid-filled sacs around a joint, become inflamed. Bursitis often affects the shoulder, knee, and elbow.
• Tendinitis and Epicondylitis: Tendinitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon. This injury commonly occurs due to repetitive motions or as the result of a sudden impact. Epicondylitis, also called tennis elbow, is a type of tendinitis that occurs in the elbow or arm.
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: This condition can cause weakness and tingling in a person’s hand, fingers, and forearms. It occurs when the ulnar nerve, also known as the funny bone nerve, is stretched or otherwise severely impacted.

Knee, Shoulder, and Neck Injuries

Knee, shoulder, and neck injuries are also very common types of work injuries. Here are a few injuries that Mark has helped his clients with over the years:

• Sprains
• Meniscus tears
• ACL tears
• Ligament tears
• Patella fractures
• Arthritis
• Rotator cuff tears
• Labrum tears
• Impingement syndrome
• Dislocations
• Herniated discs
• Degenerative disc disease

Car Accident (and Other Transportation Accident) Injuries

The causes of a workplace car or transportation accident can range from a minor fender bender to a severe head-on collision with another vehicle. However serious the crash, it can result in severe injury and permanent damage to a person’s body. Injuries suffered from Ohio work-related car accidents may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Broken bones
• Internal injuries
• Closed head and neck trauma
• Spinal cord and traumatic brain damage 

Occupational Diseases

When it comes to workers’ compensation claims, physical injury is typically what most people think of. However, workers’ comp benefits are also available if you suffer from an occupational disease contracted in the workplace. These illnesses can result from the work environment of the employee, the hazardous materials they are exposed to, or the tasks they are required to complete. Healthcare, cleaning services, and factory or construction workers are particularly vulnerable to occupational diseases. 

Environmental Exposure

Workers across many different industries may face environmental exposure, but those who work in the fields of construction, mining, welding, and vehicle repair are especially at risk. Environmental exposure to substances such as mold, chemicals, and toxic fumes can pose serious health risks. Cancer is one of these risks.

Damage caused by a loud work environment also falls into the category of environmental exposure. A consistently noisy work environment can damage hearing and lead to permanent injuries like tinnitus.

Other Common Injuries

There are many other types of injuries that can occur in the workplace, including but not limited to:

• Amputations, crushed digits and extremities, and broken bones caused by malfunctioning large machinery and poor safety standards or lack of proper training around these machines
• Crush injuries caused by heavy equipment, such as cranes, backhoes, and dump trucks
• Electrocutions caused by live wires and malfunctioning equipment
• Burn injuries caused by fires or explosions
• Overexertion due to physical or mental tasks that are beyond an employee’s current abilities

How to Avoid Common Workplace Injuries

Improper training, inadequate safety procedures, lack of personal protective equipment, and poor ergonomic conditions can increase the risk of a workplace injury. Another way to prevent injury in the workplace is through the use of ergonomics. 

Ergonomics relates to the science of adapting workplace responsibilities to meet the demands of the body. Even with proper safety precautions and ergonomics in place, injury at the workplace is not entirely preventable. That’s why it is important for those who have been injured or become ill within their line of work should reach out to an experienced Ohio workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. A workers’ comp lawyer like Mark L. Newman can help you protect your rights as a worker and secure the benefits you are entitled to. To learn more about common workplace injuries or to speak with a knowledgeable attorney, call Mark L. Newman at (513) 533-2009 or fill out his online intake form today.