How much do we honestly consider the potential dangers that lurk in our workplace environment? Whether you’re a nine-to-fiver, a diligent laborer under the open sky, or a clinician navigating the busy emergency room, work safety isn’t just about a few mandated posters on the wall—it’s a crucial element of our daily lives. Whether you’re a nine-to-fiver, a laborer under the open sky, or a clinician navigating a busy emergency room, the impact of workplace injuries reaches far and wide. According to the latest data, workplace injuries in 2023 cost a staggering $58.61 billion. These figures don’t just stand alone; they represent real lives affected, families strained, and industries grappling with the intricate web of workers’ well-being.
The Impact of Workplace Injuries: Understanding the Data
Before discussing the details of preventing workplace injuries, we must understand where the risks are most prevalent. In 2023, the four standout industries with the highest rates of workplace incidents. These included:
- Construction – Leading in workplace deaths
- Education and Health Services – Marking the highest number of nonfatal injuries involving days away from work
- Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing – Notoriously highest death rate per 100,000 workers
- Transportation and Warehousing – Topping charts in injury and illness rates resulting in days away from work per 10,000 workers
This sobering data regarding the impact of workplace injuries serves as a starting point for a granular examination of risks within each workplace.
Understanding the Impact of Workplace Injuries: The Most Common Injuries
When we distill the data to individual incidents, specific categories are the key culprits for workplace harm. From everyday accidents like overexertion lifting heavy loads to catastrophic events such as caught-in-or-compressed-by-equipment injuries, risks inherent to various job roles prove diverse and far-reaching.
1. Overexertion Involving Outside Sources
Cost per year: $12.84B
Working with outside sources can often lead to overexertion and physical strain, which can cause serious workplace injuries. Businesses must ensure employee safety by taking necessary precautions, as manual labor is crucial to many industries. Without proper training in lifting and handling heavy materials, workers might risk overexertion and injuries that cause physical pain, costly medical treatments, and lost productivity.
2. Falls on the Same Level
Cost per year: $8.98B
Regarding workplace safety, it’s easy to overlook the seemingly small things. A simple slip or trip might seem like no big deal, but it can often result in painful injuries and serious financial consequences for employees. This is especially true when it comes to falls on the same level. These types of accidents are becoming an all-too-common occurrence in the workplace.
3. Falls to Lower Level
Cost per year: $6.09B
Working at heights can be extremely dangerous for employees, whether on scaffolding, roofs, or ladders. One false step and a fall to the ground can lead to severe injuries or even death. But physical harm is not the only issue to worry about. If an employee gets injured, the financial burden can be immense, with medical fees and workers’ compensation claims starting to add up. However, the cost of a workplace injury can be far greater than just the initial medical expenses.
4. Struck by Object or Equipment
Cost per year: $5.14B
Working in any industry involves a certain level of risk, especially when handling equipment and machinery. Without warning, an object can become airborne, threatening anyone in its path. Being struck by equipment is a serious issue that can result in serious injuries or even fatalities. Sadly, the consequences are dire when an object or equipment strikes someone. No matter how many precautions are taken, accidents still happen.
5. Other Exertions or Bodily Reactions (Awkward Postures)
Cost per year: $3.67B
Injuries resulting from awkward postures are common and costly and can be a real pain—figuratively and literally. Unfortunately, injuries resulting from these exertions are all too common. From strained muscles to herniated disks, awkward postures can lead to chronic pain and long-term damage. The costs of these injuries are no joke either, regarding medical bills and lost productivity.
6. Exposure to Other Harmful Substances
Cost per year: $3.35B
The workplace can be a breeding ground for many environmental hazards and dangerous chemicals. Whether you operate in a laboratory, construction site, or an industrial facility, there’s a chance that your job could expose you to harmful substances. Moreover, many harmful substances may not be visible to the naked eye, leaving you unaware of their presence until it’s too late.
7. Roadway Incidents Involving Motorized Land Vehicles (Vehicle Crashes)
Cost per year: $2.58B
Driving on the road can be a daunting experience, especially when it comes to accidents involving vehicles. In today’s fast-paced world, driving has become more than just a way to get from point A to point B. It has become an extension of the workplace for many, with the need to make calls, send emails, and attend virtual meetings while on the go. These distractions can make vehicle operating dangerous, leading to collisions and even fatalities. Roadway incidents involving vehicles are a significant concern for organizations, with the need to ensure employee safety and minimize the impact on operations.
8. Caught in or Compressed by Equipment or Objects
Cost per year: $1.98B
Industrial equipment is a double-edged sword – while it can increase productivity and output, it also poses a significant risk of injury to the workers. With the advent of advanced technologies, industries are introducing more sophisticated machinery, leading to increased efficiency and output. However, the same machinery can quickly turn into a potentially hazardous entity, capable of causing life-altering injuries. From cranes and forklifts to drills and cutters, a wide range of equipment is involved in industrial work, and the operators need to be adequately trained to prevent any possible mishaps.
9. Slip or Trip Without Fall
Cost per year: $1.92B
We’ve all experienced that moment when we slip or trip, catch our balance, and feel relieved that we didn’t hit the ground. But did you know you could still be injured even if you avoided a fall? As you try to regain your balance, your body’s sudden jerking and twisting can cause strains and sprains in your muscles and joints. These hidden injuries may not be immediately apparent, but they can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues down the line.
10. Pedestrian – Vehicular Incidents
Cost per year: $1.61B
The hustle and bustle of the workplace can sometimes feel overwhelming, with people rushing to meetings or trying to complete tasks before deadlines. Unfortunately, this chaos often results in accidents. One of the most common accidents in the workplace involves pedestrian-vehicular incidents, putting everyone at risk. Whether it’s a car backing up into someone in a parking lot or a forklift accidentally striking a passerby, these collisions can cause severe injuries.
Knowing the Basics of Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ Compensation is an insurance program that provides medical benefits and wage replacement for employees who are injured on the job. This means that if you are hurt at work, regardless of who’s at fault, you are entitled to certain benefits.
Who Is Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?
Core Criteria for Eligibility
The core criteria for eligibility typically include:
- Employment Status: You must be an employee, not an independent contractor.
- Employer Coverage: Your employer must have workers’ compensation insurance or be legally obligated to provide it.
- Work-Relatedness: Your injury or illness must have occurred at work or due to work conditions or activities.
Exclusions
However, there are specific exclusions, such as injuries resulting from:
- Self-infliction
- Horseplay
- Intoxication or drug use
- Violation of company policies
Understanding these exemptions is vital, but they do not automatically disqualify you from making a claim. Consulting with legal experts or workers’ compensation representatives to review the specific circumstances of your case is essential.
Understanding Your Rights and Protections
When you’re injured at work, the first resource you should have available is workers’ compensation—a form of insurance that provides medical benefits and wage replacement to injured employees while they perform job-related duties.
The Claims Process Demystified
To start a workers’ comp claim, there are several key steps you must follow:
- Notify your employer: Immediately inform your employer about the injury. Failing to do so within a specified time frame could jeopardize your claim.
- Seek medical treatment: Obtaining medical assistance as soon as possible is critical. This not only ensures your injuries are correctly documented but also underscores the seriousness of your situation.
- File a claim: Your employer should provide you with the necessary claim forms to begin the process officially. Completing these accurately and promptly is essential.
- Be prepared for an investigation: The workers’ comp board or your employer’s insurance may investigate your claim to determine its validity.
Potential Compensation and Benefits
Workplace injuries can have far-reaching effects that extend beyond the physical. Understanding the breadth of potential entitlements is instrumental in securing comprehensive recovery.
Wage Replacement
Should your injury lead to missed work, workers’ compensation typically covers a percentage of your lost wages. However, this can vary depending on the severity and nature of the injury.
Medical Expenses
Your workers’ comp benefits should cover all necessary medical treatments related to the injury, from ambulance rides to rehabilitation services.
Vocational Rehabilitation
When your injury mandates a change in career or retraining, workers’ comp can fund vocational rehabilitation programs to help you re-enter the workforce.
Permanent Impairment
Compensation might be available to offset diminished earning capacity due to injuries resulting in a permanent reduction in one’s ability to work.
When to Contact an Attorney
Navigating the workers’ compensation process alone can feel daunting. An attorney who specializes in workers’ comp can provide several benefits. Consider seeking legal advice if:
- Your employer or insurer denies your claim or asserts you are not covered.
- They postpone or do not fully pay your medical benefits.
- You disagree with the rating of your permanent disability.
- You are dissatisfied with the settlement offer.
- You face discrimination or retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim.
- Your employer does not provide the appropriate forms or information to start your claim.
- You have difficulty accessing medical care for your work-related injury or illness.
- If you are unsure whether you have a strong claim, seek professional advice.
The Role of an Attorney
A workers’ compensation attorney can:
- Offer an initial consultation to assess the validity of your claim.
- Help prepare and file your claim, ensuring you meet all necessary deadlines and criteria.
- Navigate the appeals process if your claim is denied.
- Communicate with the employer or insurer on your behalf.
- Gather evidence to support your claim.
- Negotiate a fair settlement.
- Represent you at hearings or trials, if necessary.
A Legal Compass Through the Aftermath of Injury
For those injured on the job, prioritize recovery. The legal team at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault comprehends the intricacies of workers’ compensation law and is prepared to assist you at every stage of your case. We prioritize your well-being and financial security. In the intricate world of workers’ compensation law, the experienced attorneys at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault are here to guide you, ensuring you are not alone.
Don’t leave your future to chance. Seek the resources and support you need to secure your workers’ compensation rights and ensure a smoother path to recovery and justice. Whether it’s advice on reporting your injury, understanding the claims process, or fighting for a fair settlement, you can lean on expert legal counsel to help you weather the storm of workplace injury.
Call Your local auto accident lawyers at 419-843-6663 to get started, or use our easy online contact form today.
If you’re in or near any of the Ohio areas we cover—Maumee, Defiance, Fremont, Findlay, Lima, Mansfield, and Toledo—and are searching for “Ohio workers’ compensation lawyers near me,” rest assured that one of our Toledo workers compensation attorneys from Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault will represent you in your injury case. With a local workers’ compensation lawyer, help is just a call away.
Ted Bowman is a Senior Associate and practices in the Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability sections. Ted began his career with GT&B in 1988. His reputation and success record as a trial lawyer arguing before the Industrial Commission on behalf of injured workers, as well as in trial courts and the Supreme Court of Ohio, are well known.
