About three million workplace injuries occur each year, with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration reporting about 4,500 workplace deaths occur from sudden traumatic injuries. Some occupations inherently have a higher rate of employee injury and death than others; government statistics show that construction workers have the highest risk of suffering a workplace injury.
Among the most common workplace injuries, in order of occurrence, are:
- Overexertion injuries related to pushing, pulling, lifting, holding, carrying and throwing; these can include severe injuries to the back, neck and shoulders.
- Slip and fall accidents due to slick surfaces or tripping over debris or uneven surfaces.
- Falls from heights such as roofs, ladders or stairways, some of which may be caused by faulty equipment.
- Strikes by falling objects, usually resulting in head injuries.
- Vehicle accidents.
- Machine entanglement occurring in factories using heavy equipment and dangerous machinery.
- Repetitive motion injuries that can be less obvious in the short term but harmful in the long run, such as ergonomic injuries.
Workplace injuries can cause a major disability. If an employer or company fails to adequately address the issue, you could be entitled to sue for damages and medical expenses. You may be able to file a lawsuit if your injuries were caused by a defective product, a toxic substance, an employer’s negligence, intentional or egregious conduct, or failure to provide a safe work environment.
If you or a loved one suffered severe injury or death due to a workplace injury, call 800-243-1100 to get a free consultation from a personal injury attorney today.
