Everyone working in the state faces a risk of injury every day in their workplace, even if they believe they work in a relatively safe environment. While some industries and workplaces are inherently more dangerous than others, all workers must know what to do when they suffer injuries at work. The state enforces some of the country’s most robust workers’ compensation laws, and it’s vital to know the biggest injury risks and most common injuries reported in the state.
M. Reid Acree, Jr., routinely represents injured workers, often helping them reach much better results in their recovery efforts than they initially expected. Our firm has handled many workplace injury claims and has seen the most common injuries reported in the state. Knowing the biggest risks that you face at work and what to do when an injury occurs can make recovery much easier.
Commonly Reported Workplace Injuries
Based on workplace injury statistics gathered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC), and various other state and federal agencies, a few industries account for most of the reported workplace injuries in the United States each year. Commercial logging, commercial fishing, construction, distribution, and manufacturing are some of the highest-risk fields regarding potential injuries and the number of workers’ compensation claims filed each year. A few of the most common work-related injuries leading to missed days of work and complex workers’ compensation claims include:
- Falls, which account for most of the fatal workplace injuries in the United States each year.
- Injuries from falling objects and debris, which are particularly noticeable hazards in fields like construction and logging. Hard hats can mitigate head injuries of this nature, but they cannot prevent them entirely.
- Electrocutions, which can occur in any workplace that requires the use of electrical systems and complex machinery. These incidents can also happen in seemingly safe work environments very unexpectedly from a variety of potential causes.
- Soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, and muscle tears that may result from everyday wear-and-tear or acute traumatic accidents.
- Repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. These often manifest in workers who must perform the same manual tasks each day at work.
Whenever a workplace injury occurs, the victim should seek immediate medical care and report the injury to their supervisor. While they can see any available doctor for necessary emergency care, they will need to have a medical examination conducted by a physician approved by their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier. In addition, they will assign a disability rating that will play a crucial role in their impending workers’ compensation claim.
No matter how a workplace injury happens, the victim needs to know the value of legal representation as they begin their recovery efforts. M. Reid Acree, Jr., excels at guiding clients through this process, including filing personal injury cases when workers’ compensation alone cannot compensate a client’s damages. In addition, if a specific party is to blame for your recent workplace injury, we can help you hold them accountable to the fullest extent possible under North Carolina law.
FAQs
Q: What Is the Most Common Fatal Workplace Injury?
A: Falls statistically account for most of the fatal work injury claims in the United States each year. It’s possible for virtually anyone to suffer a fall injury at work, from office workers falling down stairs to construction workers falling off ladders and scaffolds. The damage from a fall typically depends on the height of the fall, and it’s possible for a fall to cause broken bones, traumatic brain damage, and many fatal wounds.
Q: Can An Injured Worker Be Disqualified From Claiming Workers’ Compensation?
A: Most workers in the state are covered by their employers’ workers’ compensation insurance, but there are limits to eligibility. Specifically, if the injured worker caused their own injury due to their own negligence, horseplay in the workplace, or by a violation of company policy, they may be barred from coverage. A commonly cited cause of workers’ compensation eligibility denial is causing one’s own workplace injury due to working under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Q: What Should I Do After a Workplace Injury?
A: You should report your injury to your supervisor as soon as possible after it occurs. If you believe the injury is relatively mild, you should still report it and seek prompt medical care. If the injury is severe enough to require medical treatment and cause you to miss time at work, you should file your workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible. The best thing to do immediately after a workplace injury is to contact a reliable attorney to help you build your claim.
Q: How Much Can I Receive in Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
A: A successful workers’ compensation claim can potentially cover the full scope of your economic losses and ongoing benefits for the time you cannot work. The amount you receive depends on the scope of medical care you require and how much income you usually earn in a week. Most claimants can receive up to 75% of their average weekly wages in disability benefits, and if a worker can manage light duty, they may qualify for partial disability benefits when they cannot earn as much due to their injury.
Q: Do I Really Need a Lawyer to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
A: Technically, no, it is possible to file your claim without a lawyer, but legal representation makes the claim process much easier, and an experienced attorney is likely to secure a better result than you could manage on your own. Additionally, you could have grounds for further legal action depending on how the accident happened and who caused it. If you can file a personal injury claim, you will need reliable legal counsel to reach a successful outcome in your case.
M. Reid Acree, Jr., can provide the guidance you need to resolve a workplace injury successfully. We have helped many clients approach the workers’ compensation claim process with confidence and secure appropriate compensation for their losses. Contact us today to find out how we can help you recover from your recent workplace injury.