The primary function of employment is to ensure that we can support ourselves and our families. No matter how much we enjoy our jobs, coworkers, and daily activities, it is important to remember the ultimate reason for going to work.

When an injury occurs in the workplace, it jeopardizes our ability to provide for our family. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, one accident can threaten both current and future employment opportunities. Your workplace is supposed to bring in money, not prevent you from earning it.

When accidents and injuries occur at work, workers’ compensation can help to ensure that you can pay your medical bills and continue to provide for your family. Before you can get workers’ compensation, however, you need to know what qualifies as a workplace injury.

Though each workplace injury looks different, we have compiled some of the most common injuries that occur so that you can be aware of your rights if one of them happens to you.

Trips, Slips, and Falls

Slipping, tripping, and/or falling make up 30% of all workplace injuries. Because there are so many situations that create slipping and tripping hazards, they can occur in almost any workplace. Wet floors, loose or uneven flooring, stray objects, and poor lighting conditions can all happen anywhere and pose a significant threat to workplace safety.

Repetitive Injuries

Another common issue is repetitive motion injuries. These can occur in any sort of office or workplace as well and present a significant danger to workers. Typing, lifting heavy objects, working a single part of an assembly line, and even filing can all lead to repetitive motion injuries. These can cause extreme pain and can even disqualify an employee from future employment if left untreated.

Equipment or Machinery Accidents

Accidents involving large and heavy pieces of machinery often occur in warehouses or manufacturing plants where large equipment is very common. However, it is possible for machinery in any industry to malfunction and hurt someone. Every year, hundreds of workers are crushed by, caught in, or struck by machinery or machinery parts. This often occurs when guards and other safety equipment are missing or when equipment is moved or cleaned. However, improper operation and random malfunction also contribute to many yearly injuries.

Transportation Accidents

Vehicles and other transportation machines are used daily in many industries. Unfortunately, the drivers of these vehicles do not always operate them safely, causing lots of yearly workplace injuries. Drivers and passengers can also fall from the vehicle or get hurt when a company vehicle crashes or flips.

Fires And Explosions

Workplaces, especially warehouses and manufacturing facilities, rely on a great deal of natural gas, electricity, and complex equipment to operate correctly. Unfortunately, these materials are not always as reliable as we would like them to be. Hundreds of workplace fires and explosions occur every year, and many of them cause burns and other injuries that can have serious consequences.

Exposure

Some workplaces make use of harmful chemicals and materials. Exposure to these substances has a significant effect on the health of employees. Continued exposure can lead to serious diseases such as cancer.

Workplaces should have a strong safety plan in place when handling serious chemicals. In these situations, failing to implement proper safety procedures can easily cost employees their health and their lives.

The Individual Effect of Workplace Dangers

As an employee, these dangers can lead to everything from broken bones to cancers. Some common injuries include:

If any of the above injuries or contributing situations have occurred during your employment tenure, it is important to know that you may be able to collect workers’ compensation. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Building A Workplace Injury Case

Assembling proof of a workplace injury is much more straightforward when you do so immediately after it happens. Though this is not always possible, try to amass proof of the incident right away. Some important steps include:

  • Document your injuries. Take photos immediately following the accident if you are able to do so. Request copies of any medical records or official statements made to the police.
  • Note any witnesses. During workplace injury cases, witnesses are often managers and coworkers. Make sure you write down who was there and collect their phone numbers if you do not already have them.
  • Fill out an accident report with your supervisor or HR representative. Remain factual and specific, but do not discuss the incident further outside of the official report. Your manager or HR representative may be trained to get you to admit fault, so sticking to the facts and avoiding questions is essential until you can speak with your lawyer.
  • Contact your attorney. Your attorney will be able to give you instructions about what to do next.

Though every case and every injury is different, it is important to protect yourself and your family by following this protocol. These steps allow your attorney to build your case and ensure that you get proper compensation for your suffering and your company’s negligence.

Do I Need an Attorney For A Workers’ Compensation Claim?

It may seem as if a workers’ compensation claim is a minor situation, especially if the injury is not life-threatening. However, no matter how kind your company is toward its employees, it is a business first and foremost. This means that they will try to avoid admitting fault and paying support if they can. Sometimes, their attorneys and insurance will go to extreme lengths to get out of paying your medical bills and income. Hiring a Long Beach workers’ compensation attorney is your best hope of receiving proper medical care and family financial support after a workplace injury.

Contact Pratt Law Corporation

For comprehensive legal advice in your workers’ compensation case, contact the workers’ comp attorneys at Pratt Law Corporation. We work diligently to ensure you receive what’s fair, and we are passionate about ensuring that every workplace injury sees proper compensation.

To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, contact us via our website today.