A female worker in a vest and hardhat kneels over an injured coworker who has been hit by a forklift, calling 911 beside the words "Common Workplace Injuries"

Work injuries can happen within any occupation. The physical strain, potentially dangerous work environment, and pressure to work faster can result in accidents that leave one or more individuals seriously injured. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report in 2015 that listed the following occupations as having the highest numbers of injuries in 2018:

  • Healthcare and social assistance had 577.4 reported cases
  • Manufacturing had 430.3 reported cases
  • Retail trade had 409.9 cases reported
  • Accommodation and food services had 278.5 cases

Workplace injuries can range from sprains to serious head injuries. The following injuries are among the most common in the workplace:

Back Injuries

Back injuries can be a result of blunt trauma, such as from a slip and fall accident, or they can be from repeated wear and tear, such as heavy lifting. When it comes to work injuries, repeated use of muscles and parts of the lower back is the most common. These injuries include the following:

Strains and Sprains

Excessive force can lead to the tearing and overstretching of your back’s soft tissue, muscles, or tendons and can cause painful strains of sprains. The pain you feel is due to inflammation of the area which can lead to a back spasm. When this happens, individuals can feel intense lower back pain or even feel immobile.

Herniated/Bulging Discs

Thick, flexible pads of tissue called intervertebral discs lie in-between the bony vertebrae comprising your spine. If a disc moves out of place due to an injury on the job, it can bulge outward from between your vertebrae and press against sensitive spinal nerves. Symptoms of a herniated disc include pain radiating down the back of one leg (sciatica), numbness and tingling in the legs, and/or feet and back weakness.

Fractured Vertebrae

There are three different types of fractured vertebrae: compression fractures, burst fractures, and fracture-dislocation. A compression fracture is the result of the bone collapsing on itself due to being pushed together. A burst fracture is when pieces of bone explode out into the tissues surrounding the spine. Fracture dislocation refers to the bone breaking and sliding away from each other. These injuries can cause severe pain and limited movement and, in the worst cases, paralysis.

Head Injuries

Head injuries are among one of the most serious injuries. Damage to the head can result in a traumatic brain injury which can seriously impact an individual’s life. Head injuries can be caused by unsecured objects falling onto a worker’s head, slip and fall accidents, falling from a ladder, or blunt force trauma.

There are different types of head injuries, such as “closed” and “open” head injuries. “Closed” refers to injuries that do not pierce the skull. “Open” head injuries occur when something has broken through the skull and possibly injured the brain. Head injuries in the workplace often lead to contusions, hematomas (bleeding in the brain), and concussions.

Musculoskeletal Injuries

Work-related musculoskeletal injuries refer to a wide array of painful and potentially debilitating conditions affecting the nerves, tendons, muscles, and joints. This includes conditions such as tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck tension, and thoracic outlet syndrome. Doctors group musculoskeletal injuries into several categories due to cause:

  • Repetitive motion injuries: carpal tunnel
  • Occupational cervicobrachial disorders: thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Soft tissue disorders: deals with injuries to the fascia, joints, and muscles
  • Regional musculoskeletal disorders: Tension Neck Syndrome

Other Related Health Problems Caused by Workplace Conditions

Workers employed in industries that require the use of strong chemicals or heavy dust are susceptible to a variety of health issues that may not be initially apparent but could emerge years later. Decades of exposure to irritating fumes and solvents without proper preventive measures can damage lungs, tissues, eyes, and even cause tumors in some cases. Any of these medical problems may be viable causes for workers’ compensation, especially if the employer did not provide safeguards against these potential health hazards.

Have You Been Injured at Work?

The personal injury lawyers at Hernandez Law Group, P.C. can help you receive the compensation you deserve and need to pay your bills while recuperating from injuries due to a workplace accident. If your employer has denied a request for compensation, we will aggressively pursue your rights to help you obtain the financial assistance you deserve. To schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys, call our office today.