Electrocution is much more common in some industries than others, especially those that deal with dangerous power lines.
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If you get injured at work, know that you are not alone. An estimated 2.3 million work-related diseases and accidents occur every year worldwide.
There are three leading reasons injuries are work-related: falling or tripping, body reactions and overexertion, and injuries from equipment or objects. In fact, 84 percent of all nonfatal injuries come from these three areas.
These injuries may come from tripping or slipping without falling. The act of catching oneself can injure a worker.
These injuries may include any of the following:
Some motor vehicle-related accidents may fit into one of the categories mentioned above, but not always. There is always a risk of accidents anytime a motor vehicle is involved. This is true whether it is a car, truck, forklift, or another piece of machinery.
It is common for an explosion or fire in the workplace due to open flames, improperly stored combustibles, or faulty gas lines. These can be extremely dangerous.
It is also worth noting that burns are far from the only potential injury from explosions and fires. Flying objects from the explosion may also injure workers, or the pressure from the blast may damage their bodily tissue, including the GI tract, lungs, and ears. The pressure may even throw employees up off the ground, causing injury from the fall. The blasts may also put toxic substances in the air that workers then inhale.
Electrocution is much more common in some industries than others, especially those that deal with dangerous power lines.
Workplace violence is also a potential issue. This can lead to various injuries depending on the type of violence, whether it is a punch or a gunshot.
Some Industries Have Higher Injury Rates Than Others
It is also worth noting that some jobs are more likely to have workplace injuries than others. For example, BLS’s statistics for 2019 show that nursing assistants had the highest injury rate, at 370 incidents per 10,000 full-time employees. Next were heavy truck or tractor-trailer truck drivers, at 360 incidents.
With a better idea of the most common events or scenarios that lead to workplace injuries, it is time to take a closer look at the specific types of injuries they cause.
Broken bones can easily result from a fall or an injury from equipment.
Any workplace accident that involves the head poses the risk of a concussion.
Cuts can be small paper cuts that just need a bandage or serious ones that require a trip to the ER and stitches. They can occur as a result of nearly any of the potential causes of workplace injuries.
Many employees across various industries experience pain or soreness as a result of work. This pain may be due to other injuries, like broken bones or cuts. Different motions can also cause pain and soreness. For example, chronic back pain is a common complaint from office workers due to sitting all day, frequently with less-than-stellar posture.
When it comes to injuries from repetitive motions, repetitive stress injuries are a common result. One example would be carpal tunnel.
Sprains, tears, and strains are among the most common and potentially least serious workplace injuries. They can commonly occur from repetitive motions, impacts with machinery, falls, or various other causes. They can also be due to overexertion, stretching, or twisting.
If you or someone you love is suffering from any of the above injuries or a combination of injuries, you do not have to live in your current state of discomfort. Many treatment options and workers’ compensation specialists are available to discuss what will work best for you and your circumstance. In many cases, you will see multiple specialists for complementary treatments.
Consider some of the following specialist doctors:
Chiropractors are best known for their spinal adjustments. These involve manipulating the spine to realign it and encourage your body to heal. Spinal adjustments can relieve pain and inflammation and even reduce scar tissue from workplace injuries.
Chiropractors also offer other treatments, such as stretching and exercises or massages. Other potential therapies from your chiropractor include nutritional counseling, acupuncture, instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation, Kinesio taping, laser therapy, shockwave therapy, and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) therapy.
Physical therapists work to decrease your pain and improve your mobility following a work-related accident. Physical therapy has numerous potential components, although most people think of exercise and stretching when talking about this specialization. Physical therapists can also treat patients with ultrasound, TENS and electrical stimulation, traction, joint mobilization, massage, heat, ice, iontophoresis, light or laser therapy, and kinesiology taping. Some facilities even offer hydrotherapy.
As the name implies, pain management doctors focus on reducing the level of pain that you feel due to a work-related injury. This treatment may include medications: either a prescription medication you take at home or an injection done in the office. These doctors also typically suggest lifestyle changes. They may also recommend cognitive behavior therapy, massages, meditation, water therapy, heat and cold, biofeedback, and acupuncture.
The focus of PM&R (physical management and rehabilitation) doctors is to reduce your pain, help you use assistive devices, and improve your quality of life. They use a range of treatments, such as medications, nerve conduction studies, lifestyle changes, braces, epidural steroid injections, joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, and more. Therapy from a PM&R doctor also frequently includes exercise, massage, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
Orthopedists are specialists in soft tissue and musculoskeletal conditions. As such, they can treat everything from bone fractures from a work-related accident to strained muscles to carpal tunnel syndrome to back pain.
Orthopedic doctors may prescribe or suggest over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines. They also typically work with physical therapists and recommend home exercise programs. Other potential treatments from orthopedic specialists include mobility aids, acupuncture, and injections. If other treatments don’t work, they may also suggest orthopedic surgery.
Millions of workplace injuries occur worldwide every year, with falls, overexertion, and injuries from equipment being widespread. Depending on the accident’s severity, workers may have a few cuts and bruises, or they may have broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. The most effective healing typically comes from working with a combination of specialists.
If you were injured on the job, get in touch to schedule your appointment with an experienced workers’ comp doctor. At Comprehensive Healthcare Group, we accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, PIP (Personal Injury Protection), and medical liens. Same-day appointments may be available. Call us today at (516) 764-7760 and get on the road to recovery!
