Workplace injuries are common in the United States like elsewhere in the world. According to the National Safety Council every seven seconds a worker in the United States is injured at the workplace. These numbers are alarming and thousands of people lose their lives due to injuries and illnesses suffered at work annually. Thankfully employers workers comp insurance helps workers and their families fight the pain and suffering in the aftermath of such injuries and illnesses. 

As workers compensation attorney in Oakland, we deal with hundreds of worker’s comp claims every year and are well aware of the workers needless pain and suffering. Many of these injuries can be avoided by adhering to safety protocols and good work habits. Let us now look at some of the most common types of workplace injuries and how these can be prevented – 

  • Slip & Fall Injuries – This is the most common type of work injury and happens in all kinds of work settings. Whether one works in a factory, a corporate office, retail store or operates heavy equipment outdoors there is always possibility of slip and fall. Those working in heights such as construction workers, electrical technicians etc. are prone to fall. Slip and fall injures can be prevented using the right safety gear and staying focused on the task at hand. 
  • Injuries from Machinery – For people working with heavy machineries everyday there is always risk of suffering injuries when one is hit by a machine or a part of the body gets stuck inside machines. You may have heard about several cases of arms and legs getting crushed between machines or fingers being severed. While it is impossible to completely avoid such injuries you need to adhere to safety protocols while operating heavy machinery. Never allow a casual chat or your smartphone act as a distraction when you are operating a machine. 
  • Hard Manual Labor – Tough we live in a highly mechanized world and have machines to take care of roles that workers performed manually a century ago. But there are still certain professions where workers are required to carry loads, push them around or do heavy lifting. This can cause muscle and back injuries and also lead to cardiac problems. If you find yourself in such work you need to talk to your employer to ensure you aren’t performing physical activities that are beyond your limitations. 
  • Repetitive Motion Injuries – This type of injury is dangerous and few workers experience early symptoms. As the name suggests this type of injuries arises from repeating the same motion at workplace. Common Repetitive Motion Injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain and problems with vision. Taking regular breaks and working with ergonomic equipment can help reduce the chances of these injuries.
  • Vehicular Accidents – There are several roles that require employees to drive vehicles or ride one during work. Whether you are a deliveryman or taking your office shuttle there are chances of accidents on the road. You may fall off from a vehicle or the vehicle you are travelling in might be hit by another one. If you are driving a company vehicle always have your complete focus on the road and also make sure you don’t take any chances while boarding or getting off from the vehicle. 

If you or your loved one has suffered injury at work, you should be able to claim workers comp benefits to cover medical costs and wage losses. You will need a good attorney to fight your case with the insurer for maximum compensation and other benefits. At the Law Office of James E. Latimer & Associates we have a proven track record of helping our clients with their compensation claims. Call us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.