Employment Law

Most Common Injuries That Lead to a Workers’ Compensation Claim featured image

Most Common Injuries That Lead to a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Even the safest construction sites can be susceptible to an injury. In fact, every year there are millions of nonfatal workplace injuries in every type of industry. These incidents happen for a variety of reasons. In this brief article, a workers’ compensation defense lawyer in Florida will discuss some of the most common construction injuries that lead to a workers’ compensation claim. If your jobsite has experienced an injury, consult the workers’ compensation defense lawyers in Florida at Cotney Attorneys & Consultants.  

Overexertion and Repetitive Strain 

As construction jobs require significant physical labor, when a worker pulls a muscle or joint, this can lead to a workers’ compensation claim. Overexertion injuries are common when workers lift, pull, or push an item with too much force. Another common muscle injury is repetitive strain injuries, which occur when a worker injures themselves by making the same motion again and again. These are chronic, long-term injuries that can occur after quite some time. They are a common source of workers’ compensation claims; however, it’s difficult for an employee to prove that they experienced this injury on-the-job. 

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slips, trips, and falls can be as minor as a worker slipping on the surface level of a jobsite or as serious as a worker falling from great heights. Because of this, a slip and fall injury can be either greatly embellished by a worker in order to file a claim or a serious issue that requires a significant recovery time. From keeping the jobsite free of hazards to ensuring everyone is wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), there are many ways that contractors can reduce the likelihood of slips, trips, and falls occurring in their workplace.     

Struck By or Against or Machinery Accidents

Struck by or against accidents occur when a worker is struck by an object (equipment, material, tools) or they are forced against an object. This is a very straightforward type of injury typically results in a valid claim. Another type of injury that is generally undisputed is machinery accidents. Whether machinery is broken, faulty, or being misused, these types of injuries are extremely prevalent on construction sites. All workers utilizing machinery should be trained to properly operate the equipment. Contractors must also make sure to maintain equipment and ensure that lockout/tagout procedures are being closely followed. 

Speak with an Attorney About Injuries at Your Workplace

Although these are just a few of the most common types of injuries that lead to a workers’ compensation claim, there are a variety of other hazards or situations in construction that can lead to injury. For example, exposure to harmful chemicals or substances can lead to a claim, or an incident of workplace violence can result in an injured worker. In other cases, a worker  required to transport materials or drive a work truck from jobsite to jobsite could experience an accident during their time spent on the road, resulting in time out of work and medical bills. The point is that regardless of the type of injury that transpires at your jobsite, you should consult the workers’ compensation defense attorneys in Florida at Cotney Attorneys & Consultants with any questions you have related to a workplace accident or a workers’ compensation claim.  

If you would like to speak with a workers’ compensation defense attorney in Florida, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.