Most employees can go their entire careers without ever needing to file a workers’ compensation claim. For those who get diagnosed with a medical condition that directly relates to their employment, workers’ compensation benefits can prove invaluable.
Workers’ compensation will provide full medical coverage at a time when someone may worry about losing their health insurance if they lose their job. Workers’ compensation benefits will also include disability benefits in some circumstances, including when workers are completely unable to go back to their job until after they recover or when they need to move to a lower-paid position because of physical limitations generated by their injuries.
Although people may think of workers’ compensation as an option after some kind of dramatic incident, like a machinery failure, the most common causes of workers’ compensation claims tend to be a bit more straightforward.
Electrical injuries
From construction workers exposed to live wires while installing the power supply to a building to grocery store workers who may have to plug in or unplug refrigeration units, there are countless ways for employees to end up exposed to dangerous levels of electricity on the job. Electrical injuries can cause falls, burns and even neurological injuries. In cases with exposure to more powerful currents, electrical injuries can stop the heart and possibly kill someone.
Overexertion
Sometimes, a worker in a warehouse will bend over to lift something and pull a muscle in their back. Other times, workers may end up developing injuries related to repetitive job functions. Sprains, strains and repetitive stress injuries are all medical issues related to overexertion on the job. Such bodily reactions are one of the top causes of workers’ compensation claims.
Slips, trips and falls
Often, people think of fall risk as a concern for those in construction or similar professions. There is little question that those who work at significant elevations are at risk of severe injury or death if they fall while on the clock. However, same-level falls, like slip-and-falls or trips, can easily result in broken bones or brain injuries that force people to take a leave of absence or change their careers entirely.
Workers familiar with the top causes of workplace injuries may be in a better position to seek benefits if they do get hurt. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can help a worker protect themselves financially and medically after suffering an injury on the job.
