Workplace injuries are a daily occurrence across the state of Texas, and while some on-the-job injuries are unavoidable, there are a great deal that are caused by negligence.
Employers spend a great deal of money each year on procedures and education to prevent injures, there are an untold number of rules and regulations, and yet still thousands are injured each year. In the process, businesses lose millions in man-hours and injury claims, and many workers are left with long-lasting medical problems as a result of their workplace injury.
It can help both workers and employers to realize what the most common workplace injuries are so that they can pay careful attention and focus their efforts to help prevent them from happening in the future.
Overexertion and Repetitive Injury
Overexertion injuries are perhaps the most common type of injury that one thinks of as a workplace hazard and is one that affects a wide range of jobs and professions. These types of injuries often involve pulling, pushing, lifting, holding, carrying, and other movements which may cause someone to pull a muscle or sprain a joint.
Repetitive motion injuries may not be as obvious, but they are often more harmful in the long run as they can lead to long-lasting and painful injuries even for doing simple tasks. Think about all the jobs which now revolve around computers and which lead to carpal tunnel, back pain, and even vision problems.
Slips, Trips and Falls
Slips, trips and falls account for the highest number of workers’ compensation claims, and lead to a wide range of injuries, including head and back injuries, broken bones, sprains and pulled muscles, among others.
These can be caused by slippery floor conditions in an office, trips over obstructed walkways or falls from heights as in a construction site.
Transportation and Vehicle Accidents
Anytime there are large vehicles or equipment, there exists the potential for vehicle-related accidents while on the job. These types of injuries range from a car or truck accident on the road, to highway workers being struck by a vehicle, or even vehicle related accidents in the agricultural industry.
Fire or Explosions
Fires or explosions on a work site are an unexpectedly common workplace injury, particularly in construction or industrial contexts, and which accounts for the high number of casualties in workplace accidents.
These accidents are often caused by risk factors like faulty gas lines, improperly stored combustible materials, or open flames. The resulting injuries range from respiratory damage due to smoke inhalation, severe burns, inhalation of toxic substances, and a wide range of other injuries.
Heavy Machinery
Many workers today are in close proximity to heavy machinery which poses a potentially grisly safety hazard when improperly used or guarded. Body parts or clothes can become stuck in or struck by moving parts and can often include disastrous results ranging from crushed hands and arms, severed fingers, or much worse.
Workplace Injuries
While worker safety on the whole has been improving over the past few decades, the modern workplace still features many hazards to an unsuspecting employee and which can lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost wages, and long-lasting complications.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace accident, then you need the help of an experienced Austin personal injury attorney, like those at Fears Nachawati. Every workplace injury is different, and the laws can be complex to decipher, which is why it is crucial that you speak with an attorney today.
Contact us now for a free, no-obligation legal consultation by calling (866) 705-7584 or visiting one of our offices located throughout the great state of Texas, including in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin.