The Most Common Injuries in Worker’s Compensation Claims

Often, an injury at work is unexpected. Even in jobs and industries where manual labor is common or risky situations arise, employers typically have processes in place to prevent employees from hurting themselves or others. However, every day accidents do occur on job sites and in the workplace. As it turns out, certain injuries are much more common than others.

How Are You Likely to Get Hurt at Work

Regardless of industry or job description, the most common injuries in workers’ compensation claims in New Jersey are strains and sprains. The Department of Labor has found that this is also the most common type of injury in the workplace nationwide. Insurance providers estimate that these claims amount to approximately 30% of workplace injuries in the United States.

Strains and sprains are less likely than more serious injuries to be reported by an employee to his or her employer. Prompt notification of an injury is essential for a successful workers’ compensation claim in New Jersey, and “toughing it out” for days, weeks, or even months could prevent recovery.

If you need advice on reporting a strain or sprain or if you are receiving pushback from an employer or insurance company on a claim for workers’ compensation from a strain or sprain, contact a New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyer, such as the Law Office of Albert J. Talone for advice.

Other Common Workplace Injuries

While strains and sprains are by far the most common injury on the job, there are other common workplace injuries. Cuts, scrapes, punctures, and infections that result from these injuries happen on a regular basis, and as with strains and sprains employees seem reluctant to report these instances unless they are serious.

Other common injuries include contusions from falling objects or being struck by an object at work, inflammation, whether due to repeated activity or otherwise, and fractures from slips, trips, and falls. All of thee workplace injuries can entitle an employee to benefits under workers’ compensation.

Industries with the Most Injuries

Just as there are by far more strains and sprains than any other injury in workers’ compensation claims in New Jersey, there are certain industries where employees are more prone to accident. Police and security officers, this includes off-duty police officers handling security at bars and clubs, are the most likely employees to be hurt at work. Given the intense and physical nature of the work, this makes sense.

Also on the list of jobs with the most workers’ compensation claims in New Jersey are nurses and orderlies and tractor-truck drivers. These jobs are more unexpected at the top of this list, but when you consider how much lifting, moving, and physical labor is involved for both professions, how strains, sprains, or inflammation may occur becomes more obvious.

Legal Advice on Your Workplace Injury

It is highly recommended that you seek legal representation when filing a workers’ compensation claim. In New Jersey all workers’ compensation claims must be filed with the Division of Workers’ Compensation, and a lawyer familiar with this forum can greatly improve your chances of full benefits for your injury. Call the Law Offices of Albert J. Talone at (856) 234-4023 to speak with an experienced lawyer today.