The Most Common Causes of Preventable Accidents in the Workplace

The workers’ compensation attorneys at the law firm of Silverman McDonald & Friedman are here to represent clients who need legal representation when they are in any kind of dispute over a workers’ compensation claim. We will fight for your right to compensation when you have sustained an injury or contracted an occupational disease in the workplace. Please call us to schedule your free consultation with one of our attorneys in Wilmington, Newark or Seaford.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency that governs workplace safety. Employers owe a duty of care to their employees to provide a safe environment in which to work each day. They are also required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance that pays partial wage replacement benefits and medical expenses to their employees when they must lose time from work due to a workplace injury or occupational illness.

Workplace accidents and injuries happen more often than you might think and many of them are preventable if OSHA guidelines and regulations are more closely adhered to. Here are some examples of the most common types of preventable workplace injuries:

The most common preventable workplace accidents

According to the National Safety Council, there are 10 common reported workers’ compensation injuries as reported by the major U.S. insurance companies:

1. Overexertion injuries

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that musculoskeletal injuries from overexertion, which includes sprains and strains from stretching or tearing ligaments, tendons and muscles accounted for 35.6 percent of workplace injuries in 2014, which is down only slightly from the previous year.

2. Slipping and tripping (on the same level)

The BLS reports that slip and fall injuries account for about 29.3 percent of work-related injuries, and the Insurance Journal reported slip and fall injuries accounted for 27.6 percent of workers’ compensation claims.

3. Falls from heights

OSHA reports that falls from height accounted for 349 out of 874 total deaths in the construction industry in 2014. The number one most frequently cited OSHA standards violation in FY 2015 was fall protection. Falls from elevated areas such as roofs, ladders, scaffolding and stairways can be reduced by the use of protective gear, proper training and greater employee diligence.

4. Reaction injuries

A reaction injury occurs when a worker slips and trips without falling. These kinds of incidents can cause muscular injuries, body trauma and other medical issues.

5. Falling objects

Being struck by an object accounts for about 8.4 percent of construction industry workplace injuries. The most common injury that occurs from falling objects is a head injury.

6. Walking into injuries

These types of injuries occur when a worker accidentally walks into a static object such as a wall, furniture or windows. Walking into injuries can cause head, neck, knee and foot injuries.

7. Motor vehicle crashes

The BLS reports that transportation accidents result in more than 1,766 deaths each year. Employees for whom driving is part of their work duties are subject to injury and even death in motor vehicle crashes.

8. Machine entanglement

These injuries often occur in a factory setting where large machinery and equipment are used. Workers can suffer serious injuries when loose clothing, jewelry, hair and fingers get caught in the machinery.

9. Repetitive motion injuries

When a worker performs repetitive motions such as typing and excessive use of computers can cause injury to the hands, back pain, eye strain and cumulative trauma.

10. Acts of violence in the workplace

Violent acts in the workplace can lead to serious injury and even death.

A workplace accident can cause problems especially when you end up in a dispute with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer, or with the Delaware Workers’ Compensation Commission. Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can represent your interests and make sure that you get the compensation you deserve when you get injured doing your job.

If you have sustained an injury in the workplace, or contracted an occupational illness, the experienced Delaware workers’ compensation lawyers at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman are dedicated to helping get you the compensation you deserve. You may call us or fill out our contact form to make a free appointment at our offices in Wilmington, Newark or Seaford.