5 Most Common Types of Workplace Injuries

When people get up and go to work, they expect to come home in one piece. Workplaces can be very dangerous, however, and workers in many industries have to deal with hazards every day. When a workplace injury happens, it is costly for both the employee and the employer, and employers need to do everything possible to ensure that their employees are properly trained and that they are following government safety standards.

Here is a closer look at the five most common injuries that happen in the workplace:

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Falls account for approximately one third of all workplace injuries. In many industries, employees work in high elevations and often on unstable surfaces. When these surfaces become wet, oily, or otherwise slippery, a worker can fall a significant distance, which can result in severe and catastrophic injuries. Slips, trips, and falls can also happen because of poor lighting, clutter, loose cables and wiring, uneven walking surfaces, and many other hazards.

Machinery Accidents

Workers in many industries routinely operate various types of equipment and machinery. While these tools can help them perform their jobs more efficiently, they can also be dangerous if something goes wrong with them. Workers have been known to get struck by equipment or machinery, and they can also get caught in between one of them in enclosed area, resulting in crush injuries or the loss of body parts. Many machinery accidents are caused by inadequate maintenance and/or product malfunctions.

Fires and Explosions

In factories, plants, drilling platforms, construction sites, and other dangerous workplaces, explosions and fires are always a possibility. These accidents can be caused by faulty gas lines, combustible materials that are not stored properly, open flames, and other various hazards. When an explosion happens, workers are often thrown a significant distance, which can result in broken bones and other serious injuries. And if a fire results from the accident, it can cause severe burn injuries.

Transportation Accidents

Employees in many different industries work routinely around vehicles, or they leave the job site regularly to transport materials in and out. These employees are at greater risk of being hit by a vehicle either while driving or on foot. Those in the manufacturing, industrial, construction, logging, and trucking industries are among the most susceptible to transportation accidents.

Overexertion or Repetitive Stress Injuries

Although they are not as dramatic as most other types of workplace injuries, musculoskeletal problems are among the costliest injuries that employees suffer. The wear and tear of repeated heavy lifting, holding, pushing, pulling, throwing, and even typing can take a major toll on a person’s body.

Who is At Fault for a Workplace Injury?

This may be a more complicated question than you think. Many times, workplace accidents involve more than just the employer or the employee. Outside parties often play a role in these types of accidents, and in such cases, they can be held liable.

For example, if a worker is injured in a machinery accident that is caused by a product malfunction, it may be possible to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer, supplier, or distributor of the faulty machinery. Another common scenario is if a worker gets injured because another driver crashed into them. In this case, the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident would be the one at fault.

Workplace accident cases can be complex, and because each situation is unique, it is very important to thoroughly analyze the specific circumstances of each case to determine who may be at fault and what potential legal avenues you have available to you.

You may find out that you are able to bring a personal injury claim directly against a third party that contributed to the accident. And this could allow you to recover compensation not only for direct monetary losses such as medical bills and lost wages, but also for noneconomic losses such as pain and suffering and emotional distress.

Injured in a Workplace Accident in Georgia? Contact the Experienced Attorneys at Bailey, Javins, & Carter, L.C. If you or someone close to you suffered injury in a workplace accident, it is important to find out what your legal rights and options are. Bailey, Javins & Carter, L.C. is here to help. To schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys, message us online or call our Atlanta office today at (678) 981-5370