How Long Does A Injury At Work Claim Take?

Workplace Injuries Cost Businesses Money And Create Stress For Employees

The average worker claims they've been injured three times in their career.

A survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that more than 7 million Americans sustain an on-the-job injury every year, and that more than half of these injuries are job-related. One study found that workers compensation costs employers $50 billion per year, and another found that companies lose $16.5 billion annually because of workplace injuries. These costs are passed on to employees and employers, so that the latter have to pay insurance premiums and the former incur medical expenses and wage replacement.

Workplace injuries happen, but they don't have to be inevitable. Workers compensation can help prevent injuries, help injured employees get back to work faster, and help employers avoid legal liability.

It's easy to forget that workplace injuries happen at all. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 7 million workers in the United States are injured on the job every year, and many of those injuries are job-related. But when an employee is hurt on the job, that injury can cause significant problems for both the worker and the employer.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an estimated 7.4 million nonfatal workplace injuries occur every year in the United States. Injuries are most common in construction, transportation, and manufacturing, but they also affect service industries, such as healthcare and retail.

What's more, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has found that about half of all workplace injuries are job-related. This means that half of all injuries are preventable.

The most common workplace injuries include musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which affect the muscles, joints, and tendons. Back pain is the most common MSD, according to the NCCI, accounting for 40 percent of all workplace injuries, but other MSDs, including neck pain, shoulder pain, and hand and wrist pain, are also common.

Other common workplace injuries include falls, cuts and lacerations, and sprains. Many of these injuries result from slips, trips, and falls, but some result from machinery, equipment, and vehicles. In fact, the NCCI found that machinery, equipment, and vehicles are the most common cause of death and disability in the workplace.

The NCCI also found that workplace injuries are most likely to happen in the first six months of a new job. And once an employee has been injured, it's not uncommon for them to suffer a recurrence. About 10 percent of injured workers return to the workplace within the first month, and half return within the first three months, the NCCI found.

These statistics make it clear that preventing workplace injuries is the best way to prevent costly workplace injuries and illnesses.

Injured workers should seek treatment and file a workers compensation claim to recover lost wages and benefits, and to receive ongoing treatment. The NCCI offers some suggestions for how to protect yourself and others around you.

First, use proper lifting techniques to avoid back pain. Proper lifting techniques include making sure that your body is in a neutral position, using proper body mechanics, and keeping your feet flat on the ground.

Next, wear the right protective gear. For example, it's important to wear safety glasses and earplugs. Safety goggles are also a good idea, because they protect the eyes from flying debris and dust.

And, if you're working on a machine, make sure that the machine is properly installed and maintained. Make sure that the machine is bolted down, and that the controls are in working order.

The NCCI also suggests that employers take steps to prevent injuries. For example, they should provide the right tools and equipment. They should also provide adequate training and supervision.

Employers also should keep workers out of harm's way. For example, the NCCI recommends that employers put up signs that warn about potential hazards in the workplace, such as the risk of electric shocks.

When an employee is hurt on the job, it's in their interest to file a workers compensation claim. Doing so can reduce the risk of future workplace injuries, and it can also save the employer money.

One of the best things that injured employees can do, however, is to keep their jobs, because they can use their workers compensation benefits to help them get back to work.

Many workers compensation plans provide wage replacement, which means that the injured worker will receive a set amount of money each week, or month, while they are recovering. Some plans will also provide medical treatment, which will help injured employees stay on their feet and keep their injured bodies functioning.

Workers compensation isn't perfect, of course, but it's one of the best options available for protecting workers.