In the workplace, thousands of employees are seriously injured or killed each year. A large number of employees also experience minor injuries that worsen over time. Work injuries can happen within any industry or sector of business, regardless of the type of work.

The Most Common Workplace Injuries

As an employee, the best way to protect yourself from injury is through prevention and awareness of the most common injuries that can happen while at work. Most injuries, both life-threatening and minor, can be categorized into this list of the most common workplace injuries.

Overexertion

According to the National Safety Council, overexertion is the #1 cause of missed work. Overexertion occurs when you exceed your body’s limits through excessive lifting, repetitive motion, sitting or standing for long periods of time or using excessive force to move an object. Overexertion symptoms most often include joint or muscle pain ranging from throbbing to severe.

Violence in the Workplace

Around two million people each year report some type of workplace violence. Violence often involves assault, which can cause victims to experience any number of injuries ranging from fractures and cuts to puncture wounds and head injuries.

Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Known by OSHA as one of the “fatal four,” slip-and-fall accidents caused 381 out of 971 total deaths in construction in 2017. These injuries can occur due to employer negligence or a simple employee mistake. Wet or uneven surfaces, bad weather and improper training in the field are all main causes of these injuries.

Repetitive Motion

Some employees—such as those who perform work in factories or offices—must perform the same motion over and over again during work. These repetitive motions can lead to stress injuries to your ligaments, muscles, nerves and tendons. In fact, one of the most common repetitive motion injuries is carpal tunnel syndrome. Most injuries will manifest as pain, swelling or difficult movement.

Strains and Sprains

Strains and sprains can be caused by a wide array of factors including falls and heavy lifting. Most strains and sprains show symptoms such as muscle pain, swelling, bruising or joint popping. Strains and sprains can occur in your back, legs, ankles and other parts of your body where ligaments connect bones.

Cuts and Punctures

These two injuries occur in all industries from construction to healthcare. For example, cuts and punctures often happen after dropping or falling into a sharp object. These injuries can also be a result of larger injuries such as falls and workplace violence.

Contusions

A contusion, also known as a bruise, is an injury to the soft tissue or skin. Contusions can happen after slip-and-falls, violence or even after being caught in-between machinery. They typically involve discoloration of the skin, due to blood capillaries being ruptured beneath the skin and can be quite painful.

Inflammation

Redness, swelling, pain and heat are all physical symptoms of inflammation which can occur throughout the body. Although inflammation is often caused by infection, it can also be caused by injury. For example, inflammation can be caused by a cut or puncture wound.

Fractures

A fracture is the breaking or cracking of the bones in your body due to force, impact or high amounts of pressure. These injuries can be caused by slip-and-falls, being struck by an object, being caught in-between two objects or violence. Arm, leg and hip fractures are three of the most common breaks that happen in the workplace.

Injured While on the Job? Reach Out to Brazil Law Group.

If you’ve been injured while on the job, consider reaching out to a qualified workers’ compensation attorney. You could be due compensation for medical care, lost wages, disability, rehabilitation and more. Reach out to Brazil Law Group today by calling 612-874-6109 or send us a message to learn how we can help with your workers’ compensation claim.