Most Common Workers’ Compensation Injuries

It is important to realize that any and all injuries that happen at work or within the scope of your employment are eligible to be filed as workers’ compensation claims. That said, some injuries are more common than others. The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s most recent report on occupational diseases and injuries states that the following types of injuries are the most common workers’ compensation injuries that resulted in missed days of work:

• Sprains, strains, tears – 32.8%
• Fractures – 12.7%
• Soreness and pain – 10.7%
• Bruises and contusions – 9.3%
• Cuts, lacerations – 8.1%

Those workers’ compensation injuries are suffered on the following body parts:

• Hands – 16.0%
• Back – 12.4%
• Head – 8.6%
• Shoulder – 7.6%
• Knee – 7.1%

Which occupations are the most dangerous and likely to suffer workers’ compensation injuries? The following occupations most frequently suffer workers’ compensation injuries that require at least one day off work (out of 10,000 workers):

• Transportation and material moving occupations – 194.9
• Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations – 158.1
• Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations – 136.9
• Healthcare support occupation – 127.0
• Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations – 119.5
• Construction and extraction occupations – 118.1
• Educational instruction and library occupations – 108.2

What is the source of all these workers’ compensation injuries?

• Floors, walkways, ground surfaces – 18.9%
• Vehicles – 14.5%
• Worker’s motion or position – 12.1%
• Containers – 8.1%
• Parts and materials – 7.9%
• Machinery – 5.9%

What happened that caused these workers’ compensation injuries?

• Falls, slips, trips – 27.9%
• Overexertion – 25.0%
• Contact with objects – 24.6%
• Transportation incidents – 9.5%
• Violence – 5.1%

While workers’ compensation in Ohio covers almost all injuries that happen at work or within the scope of work, there are a small number of exceptions you should know about. Even if your injury falls into one of these categories, you should still seek legal help as there are many exceptions to these rules. The following types of injuries may not be compensable under Ohio law:

• Injuries sustained by independent contractors;
• Injuries sustained due to drug or alcohol use;
• Injuries sustained due to behavior that violated company policy (there are many exceptions to this guidance);
• Pre-existing injuries or illnesses (unless if the injury was substantially aggravated by the work incident);
• Short-term, common illnesses such as the flu or a cold;
• Self-inflicted injuries;

Injuries caused by an accident or negligence while working can happen to anyone, regardless of the job or industry. If you have been injured on the job, it is important to take the right steps to ensure that you receive the proper medical attention and compensation for your injuries. Here are some important steps to take after a workplace injury.

The first and most important step after a workplace injury is to seek medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is important to have a medical professional evaluate your condition and document your injuries. This will not only ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment, but it will also create a record of your injuries that can be used to support your workers’ compensation claim.

The next step is to report the injury to your employer. This should be done as soon as possible, preferably within twenty-four hours of the incident. While your doctors should have filed your claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ compensation, in case they did not, your employer will also be able to file on your behalf.

Lastly, you should find the right workers’ compensation attorney for your claim. The Hurm Law Firm has years of experience representing injured workers and would do a great job for you. You can call for a free consultation at (216) 860-1922.