Most Common Workplace Accidents & Injuries

A workplace injury can happen in any occupational environment and leave you to pick up the pieces. Traditionally dangerous jobs, such as construction and labor work, have a higher risk of injury than other occupations, but that doesn’t mean you can’t become injured while at your office job. Although you can’t plan for an injury, it’s a good idea to stay knowledgeable about the types of workplace accidents so you can stay prepared and remove yourself from any dangerous situations. The following are the most common workplace accidents:

1. Overexertion and Bodily Reaction: According to NSC Injury facts, overexertion and bodily reaction injuries result in more than 31% of workplace injuries. This category encompasses two subsections of injuries: non-impact and repetitive motion. Non-impact injuries are commonly the outcome of lifting, pushing, and carrying activities, whereas repetitive motion injuries occur from consistent tasks like typing.
2. Slips, Trips, and Falls: Slip and Fall accidents are common injuries outside of work, so it’s no surprise they account for 27.5% of workplace accidents. While the actual fall does cause bodily harm, the main damage results from trying to catch oneself after falling. Painful sprains, strains, and tears not only will send you home for the day, but they can also restrict your ability to work and earn a paycheck after the fact.
3. Contact With Objects and Equipment: Dynamic workplaces often have many moving parts, and you can become injured if you’re not careful around heavy equipment and objects. Moving objects hitting employees, equipment mishaps, and shifting objects catching or crushing employees can all cause serious injuries that leave workers unable to perform their occupational tasks. Although these injuries are less common than the previous two, they still account for 25.8% of workplace accidents.
4. Transportation Incidents: Transportation equipment is often bulky and difficult to maneuver without experience, often resulting in injury. Although transportation accidents make up only 5.6% of all workplace injuries, this could be due to the fact that such equipment is only found in select workplaces. Transportation equipment can be dangerous, and you should use caution whenever you’re nearby. 
5. Injuries Due to Violence: As uncomfortable as it is to think about, violence doesn’t discriminate over where it occurs. Workplace violence accounts for 5% of occupational injuries, so it doesn’t happen too often. If you notice any red flags of violence in your work environment, make sure to report it to your supervisor before it’s too late.

Any injury that can happen outside of the workplace can also occur within it. Major injuries will almost definitely prevent you from returning to work, but even minor injuries have the potential to cascade into something more serious if left unchecked. The following are the most common injuries that occur in workplaces across the country:

1. Sprains, Strains, and Tears: These injuries are commonly the result of slip and fall accidents, as the damage occurs when the individual attempts to brace themselves from the fall itself. Any muscle damage can seriously restrict your ability to move and perform basic tasks, which can have significant financial consequences if the injury is persistent.
2. Soreness or Pain: Soreness and pain can result from any workplace accident. In some cases, other individuals might not believe that you’re suffering because they can’t see the injury. However, if you’ve dealt with consistent soreness and pain after an accident, you likely understand how frustrating and uncomfortable it can be. 
3. Cuts, Lacerations, and Punctures: Major cuts and lacerations will require medical treatment to fix, which isn’t just expensive, but it can also prevent you from working. Smaller wounds might not require traditional medical treatment, but they can become worse through infections and become a much more significant problem. On the other hand, puncture wounds have serious consequences if left untreated, so you should make sure you seek the treatment of a medical professional to mitigate the repercussions. 
4. Bruises and Contusions: Falling objects and moving equipment can cause bruises and contusions if they strike an unsuspecting employee. Although minor damage won’t prevent you from working, more serious accidents have the potential to land you in the hospital. Muscle and bone bruises can also restrict your movement and ability to perform the tasks outlined in your job description. 
5. Fractures: Bone fractures are serious injuries that take some time to recover from properly. A fracture will prevent you from working in almost all cases, which can have serious financial consequences for you and your family. Slip and falls, falling objects, and equipment mishaps can all result in a bone fracture. 

There are 2.3 million people injured at work every year, and 84% are made up of the top 3 injuries mentioned above. No workplace is 100% safe from harm, and despite your best efforts, you still might end up injured and unable to earn a paycheck even if you acted cautiously. Any accident at work should be compensated fairly, and you can protect what’s rightfully yours by teaming up with a law firm you can trust. The attorneys at Morgan & Morgan will relentlessly advocate for your situation until the very end. Fill out a free, no-risk case evaluation to get started.