The Top 10 Most Common Workplace Injuries

A workplace injury can be extremely stressful and financially trying for the employee. Read on to learn what the top 10 most common workplace injuries are and how a lawyer can assist you with a claim.

Workplace injuries happen on a daily basis and can disrupt an employee’s work and home life. In some cases, the injuries can be so debilitating and severe that the worker ends up with permanent disabilities and life changes. 

In these instances, insurance may only go so far in terms of covering damages and losses experienced by the employee and their family. A workplace injury lawsuit may be needed to allow the injured party to recover the full extent of their losses and damages. The assistance of an experienced work injury attorney is indispensable for such legal proceedings. 

At Pierce Skrabanek, our attorneys are passionate about protecting the rights of workers and employees. No person should have to undergo an injury in the place where they work, but we are on hand to provide legal assistance and guidance in the event that a work accident does occur. 

Contact us at (832) 690-7000 and read on to learn what the most common workplace injuries are.

What Are the 10 Most Common Work Injuries?

According to data gathered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the top 10 most common workplace injuries are: 

10. Workplace Violence

Workplace violence is one of the most common sources of workplace injuries and fatalities. According to OSHA, workplace violence is defined as “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site.”

Violence in the workplace is currently the third-leading cause of fatal work injuries in the U.S. Factors that increase a worker’s exposure to violence include working late at night or in an isolated location, working with the public, exchanging money with customers, and making deliveries. 

Workplace violence cases can be complex and may involve criminal law aspects as well as civil law components for damages caused by the injuries. A qualified attorney can ensure that justice is served and the injured party is properly compensated.  

9. Falls from Heights

Falls from heights are another leading cause of workplace injuries every year. Falls from high areas can lead to serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spinal cord injuries. 

Falls can occur from high places such as:

• Ladders and staircases
• Roofs
• Aerial lifts
• Scaffolding
• Telephone poles
• Various other places

In many instances, employers may be required to provide suitable fall protection according to the work involved, such as a personal fall arrest system (PFAS). Failure to provide proper safety measures when required can result in the employer being held liable for worker injuries.

8. Motor Vehicle Accidents

Many work situations require an employee to operate a motor vehicle, such as for making deliveries or transporting goods or materials. On-the-job vehicle accidents can often involve additional dangers if the worker is handling dangerous cargo such as flammable substances being delivered to a chemical plant. 

Employers can be held liable for failing to properly maintain their fleet vehicles, not providing proper safety training or equipment for driving, or other similar legal issues. Texas contains some of the most dangerous roads in the U.S., so it’s important that drivers are given full safety debriefing on how to operate vehicles. 

Contact a lawyer if you have questions about who can be held responsible for a work-related vehicle accident. Injuries from a crash can lead to substantial losses requiring a damages award.

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7. Entanglement

“Entanglement” refers to workplace accidents where the body comes into contact with mechanical parts. The four types of entanglement accidents are pinch/nip, shear/cut, pull-in, and wrap. These types of accidents commonly happen when a body part or item of clothing is exposed to or gets caught in rotating motor parts, pulleys, high-speed belts, gears, and other spinning parts. 

To avoid entanglement injuries, moving parts should be carefully guarded or shielded, and workers should avoid loose clothing. For instance, if an employer thoughtlessly provides a worker with work clothes that contain long cords or loose strips of cloth, it could present entanglement risks.

6. Electrocution

Electrocution is a significant hazard in many fields of work. The most common causes of electrocution include contact with exposed power lines, lack of ground-fault protection, and improper use of extension cords. 

In an offshore oil rig or other maritime settings, electrocution hazards can increase with the presence of water in the working area. The use of metal ladders can also increase electrocution risks, especially if they make contact with power lines. Be sure to take the proper precautions when working around live electrical wires. 

Maritime legal issues can be complex, so be sure to contact a maritime lawyer if you have any questions regarding injuries in such settings.

If you’ve been injured at your workplace, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your losses. At Pierce Skrabanek, we have a strong track record of obtaining noteworthy verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. 

Contact us at (832) 690-7000 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options today. 

5. Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs)

Repetitive motion injuries, or RMIs, can result from repeating the same motions during work daily over weeks and months. The most common forms of RMI are:

• Tennis elbow
• Rotator cuff syndrome
• Carpal tunnel syndrome

Many people associate RMIs with desk or office jobs, where a person is typing frequently (carpal tunnel syndrome). However, jobs in industrial settings can also cause RMIs, such as when a worker on an offshore rig is performing the same motion with tools day in and day out. 

In addition, back and neck strains are common in the construction and oil rigging industries, where the worker is repeatedly bending or stooping down. 

4. Overexertion

Overexertion occurs when an employee is injured due to excessive efforts. This can happen when lifting and handling objects, pushing or pulling items repeatedly, carrying heavy loads, and other situations. 

In Texas and the surrounding Gulf Region, extreme heat and humidity can quickly lead to overexertion. Even just standing in the heat for long periods of time can be dangerous. Heat stroke and other conditions can result, and physical overexertion can often lead to more serious injuries like sprains and strains. 

Regularly-scheduled work breaks and hydration with water are keys to preventing overexertion. If an employer is negligent in allowing workers proper rest and water breaks, they could be held liable in a workplace injury lawsuit. 

3. Struck Against Stationary Objects

These types of workplace accidents involve hitting a non-moving object, such as when a person hits their head on a tree limb. These types of accidents are common with dockworkers, carpenters, construction workers, and loggers. 

In an oil rig or oilfield setting, striking a stationary object can occur frequently due to protruding beams or other structures. Employers may be held liable if stationary hazards are not properly marked or sectioned off. Failure to provide hardhats is also an area of liability. 

Poorly-lit areas can often be a factor in these types of accidents as well. For instance, if a work area is not sufficiently lit, workers can injure themselves by striking or running into objects that are difficult to see around them. 

2. Struck by Moving Object

The most common example of this is a worker being hit by an onsite truck or other vehicle. Injuries of this type can range from minor bruises to more serious injuries like broken bones, or paralysis. In some cases, wrongful death may occur if the moving object injury leads to a fatality.  

Another example of being struck by a moving object is where a projectile strikes a worker during an oil rig explosion or plant explosion. Small items moving at high speeds can act like bullets, causing injuries that are similar to gunshot wounds. These also may be potentially fatal depending on where the person is struck by the moving object.

In such cases, multiple workers can be injured by the same types of fast-moving objects. Even surrounding areas and neighborhoods can be affected by an onsite explosion. The assistance of a plant explosion lawyer may be needed to secure a sufficient damages award to compensate the injury victims.

1. Slip and Fall

According to OSHA, slip and fall injuries are the most common types of workplace injuries. Even a seemingly simple slip and fall incident can result in severe injuries, especially if the worker injures their head, neck, or spine, or if they fall onto something sharp. 

Wet or icy conditions outside are a common cause of slips and falls at worksites. Other causes of slips and falls may include:

• Slippery floors
• Unmaintained scaffolding
• Dangerous stairs or ladders 
• Unstable platforms
• Slick rooftops or other surfaces

Failure to clean up a spill or properly dry off the floor at a workspace can present slip and fall dangers to multiple employees. Proper footwear is essential to preventing slip and fall incidents as well. 

These top 10 most common workplace injuries typically require legal action to resolve any disputes. Contact an injury lawyer if you need help getting damages for your losses.

Damages for Common Work-Related Injuries

A damages award for a work-related injury can be extensive and may cover a wide range of losses, including: 

• Medical bills
• Costs of hospital stays and medications
• Long-term rehabilitation and therapy expenses
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, including emotional and psychological trauma
• In cases where a fatality is involved, wrongful death expenses

The amount of damages can depend on many different factors, including the severity of the injuries, the degree of liability of the employer or other parties, and even the skill and experience of the attorney handling the case. 

If you found this content about workplace injuries helpful, you may also view the related topics: 

• Workplace Injuries
• Oilfield Injury Lawyers 
• Texas Plant Explosion Injuries
• Maritime and Jones Act Lawyers
  

Contact us if you have specific questions on the matter or if you’d like to schedule a free consultation. 

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Contact a Workplace Injury Lawyer at Pierce Skrabanek

The workplace injuries listed above are only some of the types of injuries that can occur in a work setting. There may be many other types that affect workers, and many accidents can go unreported. 

If you or a loved one were injured while on the job, don’t hesitate to reach out to an attorney for legal assistance — your ability to recover the maximum amount of damages may hinge on whether you take action sooner rather than later. 

The legal team at Pierce Skrabanek has returned proven results for our clients, including a $16.9 million verdict and a $14 million settlement in cases involving the Jones Act and offshore working conditions. Get in touch with us today at (832) 690-7000 to set up a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to discuss your workplace injury case. 

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