A work day shouldn’t end with you in the hospital

On Behalf of | Jul 6, 2017 | Workers' Compensation |

There may be days when you enjoy waking up and going to work. Having a job you like is a real plus in today’s world, and if you like the people you work with as well, you are far ahead of the game! No day is perfect though, and sometimes by the time you get home at the end of the day, you’re absolutely spent.

Whether you’re exhausted due to stressful situations on the job or because you were stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic for hours, such days often prompt the desire for a nice, long bath and a restful sleep. If you’re like most Illinois workers, you’ll bounce back once you’ve had a good rest; however, what happens if the problem at work involves a serious mishap?

When an average workday is anything but

Some jobs are more dangerous than others, such as those involving construction work, farming, or community service duties like fire-fighting and police work. Even office jobs can put you at risk for injury, however. Many people suffer partial or full disabilities due to carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive motion injuries related to their jobs. Following, is a list of some of the most common types of workplace injuries reported throughout the nation:

  • Violence in the workplace: Sadly, co-workers attacking each other during arguments or other altercations are a main cause of many on-the-job injuries nowadays.
  • Vehicular incidents: If you drive a vehicle during the course of your workday, you’re at risk for an accident. Whether the car you’re driving is involved in a collision or a commercial vehicle of some sort hits you as a pedestrian, these types of injuries occur often in small towns and cities alike.
  • Trips and falls: Muscle strains and broken bones, as well as neck and back injuries are common results when workers trip over cords or random items in the workplace, or when someone falls down stairs, off a ladder or some other situation.
  • Overexertion and repetitive stress: Stretching, reaching, lifting, pulling or having to hold your body in oddly postured positions during your workday may lead to repeat motion injuries that often include pulled tendons or muscles, joint inflammation and other painful conditions.

Employers are obligated to provide appropriate training and equipment to keep workers as safe as possible on the job. They’re also responsible for regularly checking workplace machines, equipment and surroundings to ensure everything is up to par in functioning and that no debris or other potential hazards are creating a safety obstruction in the work environment.

Knowing what to do and where to turn for support if you become injured at work can help you obtain all the help you need to achieve as full a recovery as possible. The workers’ compensation system is designed to help injured workers in their times of need. An experienced Illinois workers’ comp attorney can guide a recovering worker through the process of filing a claim to collect benefits.

FindLaw Network