Every job has potential pitfalls to beware of, but some jobs are significantly more dangerous than others. In particular, healthcare workers who work in hospitals are the most vulnerable to suffering illnesses and injuries on the job. The most recent data suggests that nursing assistants typically submit the highest numbers of workers’ compensation claims.
According to experts at the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), hospitals are some of the most dangerous work sites in the United States. Previous years’ reports reveal that hospital workers suffer nearly twice as many workplace-related illnesses and injuries as their counterparts in other industries.
Why Nursing Assistants Have the Highest Numbers of Workers’ Compensation Claims
Nursing assistants do hard physical work that can easily cause injuries. Their job often requires them to move patients from one location to another. They frequently suffer from lower back pain and other musculoskeletal injuries as a result.
Research published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders reveals that nursing assistants and orderlies suffer the highest rate of musculoskeletal injury among workers in any profession.
On top of that, they are frequently required to work long hours under stressful working conditions. The high-stress environment can lead to mistakes that result in injury. They are also vulnerable to catching communicable diseases from the sick patients they are exposed to daily.
Common Workers’ Compensation Concerns Among Philadelphia Hospital Employees
In the recent past, many Philadelphia hospitals have been dangerously understaffed. Employees in this situation face tremendous pressure to show up for work rather than calling in sick or taking time off to heal after an injury. Furthermore, upon returning to work, they might find themselves repeating the same actions that initially caused the injury.
Healthcare employees with health and safety concerns do not always feel comfortable articulating their observations to their colleagues. Some might also feel uncomfortable reporting their injuries to their supervisors. However, an injury must be reported promptly for the employee to be eligible for workers’ compensation insurance benefits.
Hospital workers frequently worry that they will be fired for reporting a workplace-induced injury. Some also worry that their workers’ compensation claims will be denied. This can be particularly problematic in cases where a worker is laid off or fired before management initiates the injured employee’s workers’ compensation claim.
It is beneficial to consult a Philadelphia workers’ comp attorney in cases where a hospital worker is wrongfully denied workers’ compensation.
Other Professions With Higher Than Average Numbers of Workers’ Compensation Claims
Many other industries have dangerous working conditions that prompt high numbers of workers’ compensation claims. Other professions with high levels of on-the-job injuries are as follows:
- Licensed practical nurses
- Licensed vocational nurses
- Registered nurses
- Manual laborers
- Freight, stock, and material, movers
- Truck drivers
- Maintenance workers
- Stockers
- Order fillers
- Retail salespeople
Frequent Causes of Workers’ Compensation Claims
The experts at OSHA maintain a list of the most common causes of workers’ compensation claims. They are as follows:
- People overexert themselves on the job.
- Workers slip, trip and fall.
- People come into contact with sharp objects such as syringes and knives.
- Workers can become victims of workplace violence.
Many workplace accidents and injuries can be avoided. Workers in all industries must be aware of the most common pitfalls that frequently result in serious injury.
Furthermore, it is prudent for workers to make efforts to create and sustain a safe working environment. In particular, healthcare workers and hospital administrators must take action to make hospitals as safe as possible.
A safer working environment will play a key role in reducing the number of workers’ compensation claims that healthcare workers will need to submit in the future.
Seek Legal Representation
If you were injured in a work-related accident you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. A lawyer can determine if you have a valid claim and guide you through the claims process. Many law firms offer a free initial consultation, where you can discuss the basics of your case with a qualified lawyer.
About the author:
With a law degree under his belt, Mark Scott understood very early that law communication was a relatively neglected area. He decided to help people by “translating” the language and offering information and advice in a clear, useful, and actionable manner. For this reason, instead of finding him in court, you will most likely find his name online, where he is very active and thriving as a legal columnist. His part of making the world a better place is to make the law a less convoluted maze. He aims to make it easier for people to understand when and how to seek legal counsel, how to proceed in a significant number of legal matters, and to find the proper resources so they can stand up for their rights.
