Common Workplace Injuries and What to Do After One

Workplace injuries happen in every industry, from offices and retail stores to warehouses and job sites. They can result from slips, trips, and falls; injuries that occur while driving for work; working at a construction site; or any number of other scenarios. In Florida, busy seasons, severe weather, and storm cleanup work can add to the risk. Workplace injuries not only cause health concerns for the injured employee but also result in lost wages.

Here are the most common workplace injuries in fall, as well as some tips on how to avoid them. If you’ve already been hurt on the job, you also need to make sure your rights are protected and you get the care and compensation you deserve. Attorney Brandon Stein and the legal team at SteinLaw can help. Contact us for a free consultation.

What Are the Most Common Workplace Injuries?

Millions of workplace injuries happen in the United States every year, and most are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. In Florida, most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage. That includes non-construction businesses with four or more employees and construction businesses with even one employee. This coverage pays benefits to employees for workplace injuries and illnesses.

Below, we cover the most common workplace injuries, how to help prevent them, and what to do if you’re hurt on the job.

Here are some common workplace injuries to look out for during the fall:

• Stains, Sprains, and Soft Tissue Injuries – Strains, sprains, and soft tissue injuries like tears to tendons, muscles, and disks are common workplace injuries. Some are minor, only requiring rest and a bit of physical therapy, while others can result in permanent damage. Some develop from repetitive motion and are known as repetitive stress injuries (RSIs). Another common type of soft tissue injury comes from overextension, such as pushing, pulling, gripping, lifting, or carrying, which can cause sprains or even tears in muscles, tendons, or ligaments.Longer shifts and heavier workloads, especially during busy seasons in warehouses, retail stores, and delivery jobs, raise the risk of these injuries. Both overextension and RSIs are costly, resulting in potentially debilitating injuries, as well as the loss of wages. Employers can help prevent them with regular breaks, proper lifting training, and equipment like hand trucks and lifts that take strain off workers’ bodies.
• Work-related Vehicle Accidents – Traffic accidents often result in work-related injuries for those driving as part of their daily job responsibilities. Your regular commute to and from work usually isn’t covered, but driving as part of your job generally is, including deliveries, errands, and travel between job sites, even in your personal vehicle. These accidents occur not only while driving but can also involve being struck by a vehicle on the job, an object falling from a vehicle, or an overturned vehicle.Driving at night, in heavy traffic, or through Florida’s frequent rainstorms raises the risk of a crash. If another driver caused the crash, you may also have a separate car accident claim against that driver in addition to your workers’ compensation benefits.
• Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries – Among the most common workplace injuries are slips, trips, and falls. These incidents can occur in any workplace and result in broken bones, abrasions, torn ligaments, sprained muscles, concussions, and other head and spinal cord injuries. Injuries also include falling down staircases, from roofs, off scaffolding, from ladders, or off equipment or lifts.Slip, trip, and fall workplace injuries can be caused by spills, debris, poor lighting, uncovered cables, poorly maintained worksites and equipment, damaged flooring, weather hazards, and uneven walking surfaces. In Florida, rain tracked in at entrances and debris left behind after storms are common culprits. Many of these injuries can be prevented by keeping debris and clutter cleaned up, providing quality walkways, and ensuring employees wear proper footwear.
• Machinery Accidents and Falling Objects Injuries – Working with or around heavy machinery carries real risk, and that risk goes up when equipment malfunctions. Malfunctioning machinery can cause injuries like burns or amputations. In addition, flying or falling objects can cause neck, head, face, and feet injuries, while being struck by moving machinery is another common cause of workplace injury. These injuries are especially common on construction sites, where heavy equipment, power tools, and overhead work are part of the daily job.Mechanical hazards can be prevented with proper operator training as well as preventative maintenance of equipment. In addition, protective clothing, like safety goggles, hard hats, and steel toe shoes, should be provided to employees using the equipment.

What to Do After a Workplace Injury

The steps you take right after a workplace injury can affect your health and your ability to receive benefits. If you’re hurt on the job, here’s what to do:

• Get medical care. Your health comes first. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For non-emergency care, Florida workers’ compensation law generally requires you to see a doctor authorized by your employer or its insurance carrier, so ask your employer which provider to use.
• Report the injury to your employer. Under Florida law, you generally have 30 days to notify your employer, and missing that deadline can put your benefits at risk. Report it in writing if you can, and keep a copy.
• Document what happened. Write down how the injury occurred, take photos of the area and any equipment involved, and get the names and contact information of coworkers who saw it.
• Keep your records. Save medical bills, treatment notes, pay stubs showing missed work, and any letters or emails from your employer or its insurance company.
• Follow up on your claim. Your employer should report the injury to its insurance carrier. If your benefits are delayed or denied, you can file a petition for benefits with the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation. In most cases, you have two years from the date of injury to file, though that deadline can change depending on when benefits were last paid.
• Talk to a lawyer before signing anything. Insurance adjusters may ask for a recorded statement or ask you to sign forms. If you were hurt on the job in South Florida, a Miami workplace injury lawyer can review these before you respond.

What Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Cover in Florida?

Workers’ compensation benefits in Florida generally fall into a few categories:

• Medical care: Authorized treatment for your work injury, including doctor visits, hospital care, surgery, prescriptions, and physical therapy.
• Lost wages: If your injury keeps you from working, you may receive a portion of your average weekly wage, generally about two-thirds, up to a state maximum. Wage benefits usually aren’t paid for the first seven days of disability unless you’re out of work for more than 21 days.
• Permanent impairment benefits: If your injury causes lasting damage, you may receive additional benefits based on your impairment rating once you’ve reached maximum medical improvement.
• Job training and education: If you can’t return to your former job, you may qualify for reemployment services to help you find new work.
• Death benefits: If a worker dies from a job-related injury, eligible family members may receive funeral expenses and compensation benefits.

Contact a Florida Workplace Injury Lawyer Today

Your injury can affect your ability to work and mean lost wages as well as costly medical treatments. Workers’ compensation may provide benefits that cover your medical treatment, a portion of your lost wages, and even job training or education if you can’t return to your former position.

Getting those benefits isn’t always simple. Claims can be delayed, underpaid, or denied, and if someone other than your employer caused your injury, you may have a separate personal injury claim as well. At SteinLaw, you get direct access to your attorney, and you don’t pay a fee unless we win. Contact us today for a free consultation.