Workplace accidents happen. Even the safest employees working in the safest workplaces can experience injuries due to unexpected incidents. Individuals can sustain injuries in the workplace due to a variety of reasons, but there are some common causes of work injuries. Read on to learn more and make sure to consult with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix, AZ if you’ve suffered an injury at work.
Overexertion and Bodily Reaction
What does it mean to overexert or have a bodily reaction in the workplace?
We know that these terms may seem somewhat weird and vague, but this is how federal and state regulators classify specific types of injuries. Overexertion and bodily reaction is an umbrella term for a range of types of incidents that can occur in the workplace and lead to significant employee harm. For example, overexertion can include:
- Non-impact incidents. This results from excessive physical effort placed onto an outside source, and common activities that lead to over-exertion include throwing, pushing, turning, carrying, or holding objects.
- Repetitive motion injuries. Repetitive motion injuries, often referred to as repetitive stress injuries, can occur in a variety of ways and have been in any type of workplace. Often, these are micro tasks that place stresses or strains on specific parts of the body due to their repetitive nature or strenuous effort.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are a major contributor to workplace injuries. These types of incidents, just like overexertion and repetitive tasks, can occur in any type of workplace but are certainly more likely to occur in others. For example, construction workers face a much higher risk of falls from heights than those who work in traditional office types of jobs. However, those in office jobs are still highly susceptible to slip and fall injuries.
Slip and fall incidents that occur on the same level often lead to injuries such as fractured or dislocated bones, severe sprains or strains, bruising and contusions, or lacerations. Falls from one level to another can result in much more catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord trauma, and more.
Exposure to Harmful Substances or Environments
Exposure to harmful substances and environments has been the category that has led to workplace injury statistics for the last few years due to the inclusion of COVID-19 illnesses contracted as a result of workplace activities. However, exposure to contagious and infectious diseases such as COVID-19 is only one aspect of this umbrella of workplace injuries or illnesses. Also included in this category are the following:
- Exposure to extreme temperatures (hot and cold)
- Exposure to air or water pressure changes
- Exposure to harmful substances, including hazardous chemicals or drugs
- Exposure to electricity
- Exposure to extreme noises
What if You Get Injured at Work?
When individuals sustain workplace injuries or illnesses, they should be able to receive compensation for their losses. The workers’ compensation insurance system in Arizona is robust, but it is not perfect. Sometimes, individuals struggle to receive the compensation they are entitled to. Additionally, there may be situations where other parties hold liability for the incident, opening up an avenue for additional types of compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. We encourage you to speak to a skilled workplace injury attorney in Phoenix for assistance.