Four of The Most Common Types of Injuries Sustained in the American Workplace

Some accidents are simply more common than others. For example, slip and fall accidents are far more prominent than forklift accidents simply because slips and falls can happen anywhere, whereas forklift accidents are generally contained to warehouses. Familiarize yourself with the most common types of injuries that occur in the American workplace to better safety-proof your workplace. Talk to your manager and colleagues about workplace safety and if necessary, speak with a workplace injury attorney about what to do if you are injured. According to data collected by government agencies like OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following are a few of the most common types of injuries suffered by American workers:

Back and hernia-related injuries can occur as a result of a fall, an impact with a machine or other heavy object, or overexertion. Back injuries can range in severity from aching and soreness to damage to the spinal cord, which can result in paralysis or other permanent types of damage. Individuals can suffer from back injuries without having to be involved in a specific accident – sometimes, overuse and incorrect lifting practices can cause an individual to suffer a back injury.

Despite the common assumption that only workers in manual jobs suffer injuries at work, many individuals who perform computer-based tasks can suffer from injuries caused by the repetitive motion of their jobs. These injuries include tendonitis, bursitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. They generally have symptoms like stiffness and tingling in the affected area.

Individuals who are shocked by electricity can be badly burned and suffer other consequences like blistering, nerve injuries, and muscle spasms. Electricity can be found in nearly every building in the United States and at many outdoor work sites, making almost every worker susceptible to injuries related to electrical shock.

Although we design machines to work in specific ways, a machine can malfunction and injure a worker. They can also cause injuries if workers use them incorrectly or fail to maintain them properly. As a result of their prevalence and the variety of factors that can make a normally-productive machine dangerous to workers, machine-related injuries are a fairly common type of workplace injury reported among American workers.

No matter what type of injury you suffer as a result of a workplace accident, seek medical attention right away to ensure your injury is treated promptly and appropriately. After you have received a diagnosis and the correct treatment for your injury, contact an experienced San Jose workplace accident attorney to discuss the possibility of filing a claim for monetary compensation. For more information about this process, contact Corsiglia, McMahon, & Allard, L.L.P. today to schedule your free consultation with our firm. We proudly serve clients throughout the Bay Area, San Mateo County, Alameda County, San Benito County, Monterey County, and Santa Clara County. Do not wait to begin working on your claim with us.

• Types of Injuries in the Workplace