The Most Common Workplace Injuries

Workplace injuries can lead to a multitude of serious consequences that impact you and your family. These consequences can be immediate and long-term, affecting your physical, psychological, and financial well-being.

If you were recently injured at work, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The workers’ compensation attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright could review the details of your potential claim and explain what legal recourse is available for the most common workplace injuries.

What Are the Most Common Workplace Injuries?

In Florida, workplace injuries encompass a wide range of incidents and health conditions that occur while employees are performing their duties. These can range from minor injuries to severe—and even fatal—accidents and illnesses. Commonly reported work-related incidents and injuries include:

• Slips, trips, and falls
• Overexertion
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Falling objects
• Machinery and vehicle accidents
• Exposure to harmful substances
• Occupational illnesses

Most work-related injuries are covered under workers’ compensation, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Workers’ compensation provides a range of benefits for employees injured while working, including 100 percent of necessary medical costs and generally two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wage. Additionally, it may provide educational retraining and disability benefits if the injury results in permanent impairment.

Workplace injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe injuries, such as fractures, burns, amputations, and death. While workers’ compensation benefits typically cover job-related injuries, legal representation is crucial, particularly if the insurance company denies the claim or disputes liability or if the injuries are severe.

Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Your compensation eligibility generally depends on three main factors: employer coverage, employee status, and a work-related injury or illness. Employers with four or more employees, or any construction company regardless of employee count, must carry workers’ compensation insurance. You must be a payroll employee, either full-time or part-time, to qualify for benefits. Independent contractors are generally excluded, but there are exceptions.

The injury or illness must occur at work or be directly related to your job duties. This includes injuries sustained during work-related activities outside the workplace, such as during business trips. You must report the injury to your employer within 30 days of the incident or from the date you discover the injury or illness. However, you have up to two years from the date of the injury to file a workers’ compensation claim in Florida.

How to Avoid Common Workplace Injuries

The best way to avoid a workplace injury claim is to prevent the accident from happening in the first place. While mishaps happen on the job every day, there are a few strategies you and your company could implement to protect your health and well-being. To help prevent or lessen the chance of injury, follow these safety tips:

• Slips, Trips, and Falls: Maintain clean work areas, free of clutter, immediately clean up spills, secure loose cables, and ensure there is high-visibility lighting installed in work areas.
• Overexertion: Use proper lifting techniques, implement mechanical aids like carts and dollies, take frequent short breaks, and ask for assistance with heavy or awkward loads.
• Repetitive Strain Injuries: Take short, regular breaks to stretch, move, and prevent muscle fatigue.
• Falling Objects: Secure tools with lanyards, install toe boards and netting, create exclusion zones below overhead work, store materials safely, and inspect equipment regularly.
• Machinery and Vehicle Accidents: Install machine guarding, conduct pre-shift equipment inspections, enforce speed limits for vehicles, and ensure regular, comprehensive safety training.
• Exposure to Harmful Substances: Wear personal protective equipment, such as gloves, hard hats, safety shoes, or goggles to limit exposure to harmful substances.
• Occupational Illnesses: Eliminate hazards, substitute dangerous materials, implement engineering controls (like effective ventilation), and utilize personal protective equipment.

What Should I Do If I Suffer a Workplace Injury?

If you were involved in a workplace safety incident and suffered an occupational injury, what you do next could make all the difference in the outcome of your claim. Our award-winning personal injury attorneys provided these steps to help you get the most out of your workers’ comp benefits. Ensure you achieve maximum medical improvement as quickly as possible, and:

1.     See A Doctor Immediately: Seek medical attention, regardless of how minor the incident may seem. Tell your provider that the injury is work-related.

2.     Report the Injury: Notify your employer in writing within 30 days. Delayed reporting could lead to a denial.

3.     Use Authorized Doctors: Florida workers’ compensation insurance requires you to use doctors they authorize. Ask your employer for this information.

4.     Document Everything: Take photos of the scene, document your symptoms, keep copies of all medical records, and save communications with your employer.

5.     File a Claim: The employer must file a “First Report of Injury or Illness” form with their insurer within seven days of your reported injury.

6.     Await Approval: You should receive workers comp approval and your first payment within 14 to 21 days of reporting. Wage loss benefits start after a seven day waiting period.

7.     Contact an Attorney: If your claim is denied or you have questions, consult with a qualified workers’ compensation attorney.

What To Avoid When Discussing Your Workplace Injury

When speaking to your workers’ comp claim’s adjuster or doctors, never lie about your injuries, exaggerate symptoms, or admit fault. It is important that you are truthful, but you should also avoid saying things like “I’m okay,” even when you feel fine and are ready to return to your job. Statements like this could downplay your claim.

Keep your answers brief, factual, and consistent, as discrepancies in your statements could disqualify you from receiving benefits. You also want to avoid speculating on the extent of your injuries or recovery times. These decisions are best left to your doctor. Do not feel pressured into making statements about your ability to work nor should you agree to making a recorded statement. Just focus on your recovery and let your attorney deal with workers’ comp personnel.

Contact an Attorney Today About Typical Work-Related Injuries

Our attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright help people with workers’ compensation claims in Orlando and throughout the state. We handle a variety of cases where employees sustained injuries at work and need assistance navigating the workers’ compensation system.

Our goal is to ensure that you receive the benefits you deserve so you can focus on your recovery. Most of our cases are referred to us by fellow lawyers and past clients. Our recent victories for workers’ compensation clients include a $782,000 settlement for a worker who suffered severe back and shoulder injuries and a $12.5 million settlement for a client who sustained spinal cord injuries and paralysis from a job incident. 

Contact The Florida Firm today to explore your legal options during a personalized and free case review.