U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows that health care workers face a significant risk of a workplace injury. Their statistics suggest that medical workers may have a higher injury risk than those employed in either the construction or logging industries. The two latter professions used to be the most dangerous ones.
That same BLS data highlights how some individuals who work in hospitals and nursing homes have a higher injury rate than others. Is your job role one that’s likely to leave you hurt?
Health care workers with the highest injury rates
BLS data shows that nursing home workers have the highest injury rate of all individuals employed in the health care industry. Hospital workers fall close behind.
At least 60% of health care workers’ injuries result from overexertion. Another 20% result from slips, trips and falls. Workplace violence is responsible for an additional 10% of health care workers’ injures.
The federal agency’s data also shows that at least 30% of the overexertion injuries that health care workers suffer result from moving or lifting patients. At least 50% of those patient transfer injuries leave these health care workers with sprains or strains. Another 20% result in contusions or fractures. At least 15% of those injuries lead to lacerations or punctures.
How age plays a role in causing accidents
BLS statistics also show that a workers’ age can leave them more vulnerable to an injury. The researchers found that health care workers over the age of 40 are 76% more likely to suffer an injury requiring them to miss a prolonged period from work than their younger counterparts. Older workers have nearly 2.5 times the claim costs compared to younger ones.
Your options if you get hurt in your health care job
Illinois law requires most employers to purchase workers’ compensation insurance to cover an employee’s medical bills, lost wages and other workplace accident-related expenses. Often, however, you need an attorney’s assistance to access the full array of benefits you are due. Take steps to protect your future today by reaching out to an experienced advocate.