Common Types of Workplace Accidents
According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 4,836 workers were killed on the job in 2015. That translates to more than 13 deaths a day. Almost 300 of those workplace fatalities occurred in Florida.
Here are some examples of common workplace accidents that can result in injury or death:
- Repetitive motion injuries — Don’t think that having a desk job means you aren’t at risk of sustaining a workplace injury. Working at a computer all day puts you at risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (often caused by the position of your wrist while typing) and other repetitive stress injuries, which can cause chronic pain and discomfort.
- Falling from heights — Construction workers are especially at risk of falling from elevated surfaces, but anyone who has to walk down a flight of stairs at work risks falling. Faulty equipment and slippery surfaces are often too blame.
- Slip-and-fall injuries — Workers can fall on any slippery surface, whether elevated or not. Failing to post signs warning that a work surface is slippery or leaving equipment or debris where an employee can easily slip or trip are common causes of workplace injuries.
- Overexertion — If you work somewhere that involves heavy lifting you could easily strain your back, pull a muscle or otherwise overexert yourself.
- Driving accidents — Jobs that involve driving pose special dangers. Car accidents can happen anytime and anywhere, and if you are involved in an accident while driving for business purposes, your injuries are considered workplace injuries.
- Falling objects — While this is a particular concern for construction workers, objects can fall at any work setting. If something is precariously placed on a shelf or dropped by another employee, workers are at risk of injury.
- Equipment injuries — Working in a factory or any place where heavy equipment is used can be dangerous. It can be easy for loose clothing, hair or unprotected body parts to become caught in machinery.
One way to avoid sustaining a workplace injury or illness — or at least lessening the blow — is by wearing the proper safety gear and following workplace safety procedures. If it turns out that your protective gear and safety training weren’t enough to protect you, then you likely have a workers’ compensation claim.
Florida Workers’ Compensation Law
Under Florida’s workers’ compensation law, medical and other disability benefits are paid according to a set compensation schedule. If you are injured on the job, you might be entitled to permanent disability, disability income and other supplemental benefits.
Remember that to qualify for workers’ compensation, you must have a physical injury or illness. You are entitled to benefits for a mental condition unless you prove that there’s a strong correlation between the physical injury and the mental injury.
If your employer denies your compensation claim, you have the right to appeal to the Florida Office of Judges of Compensation Claims. Make sure and reach to an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.
Contact Us Today
If you have been injured on the job, you might be eligible for workers’ compensation. Contact a Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation attorney at The Pendas Law Firm today for a free consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Tampa, Miami, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Daytona and Bradenton areas.
Resources:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/0440ContentsIndex.html
osha.gov/oshstats/commonstats.html
bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/tgs/2015/iiffw12.htm
