Individuals in the healthcare industry have some of the most difficult jobs. Part of this difficulty rests in their exposure to many types of harm on the job. Not only can healthcare be physically demanding, but it can take a huge toll on the body. Here are the most common work-related injuries for people in the medical field.
Overexertion/ Stress
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), healthcare workers are more than 7 times as likely to develop musculoskeletal disorders compared to other workers. Likely, this is the result of doing a repeated type of gesture or movement on a regular basis.
Damage from Moving Patients
Workers such as orderlies are required to lift patients manually on a daily basis. Whether it’s to move them to a different bed or moving the patient to reposition their body, the worker is bearing the weight of an additional person. This can put a lot of strain on the medical worker’s back and can even cause slipped discs.
Needle Sticks
Healthcare workers, especially nurses, are vulnerable to needle pricks and being harmed by other sharp medical instruments that can puncture the skin. This puts many workers at risk for bloodborne pathogens and bacterial infections.
Violence
Healthcare and social-service workers are at high risk of being assaulted at work. Patients, their families, and their friends all pose potential dangers. Hospital workers, in particular, are at risk because violent offenders may be getting treatment while on criminal hold. Hospitals and clinics are also more likely to be targeted by robbers because of the presence of narcotics.
Slips and Falls
Water and liquid is a constant potential hazard in the medical field, particularly in hospitals and nursing homes. If a healthcare worker steps into liquid on the floor, he or she could get seriously hurt in a fall.
If you’re a worker in the healthcare field, make sure to call our skilled Orange County workers’ compensation attorneys if you were injured on the job. Humphrey & Associates can help you seek compensation for your medical bills and lost wages, particularly if your workers’ compensation application was denied. Let us see what we can do for you.
Contact us at (844) 612-5800 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation today.