Creating a safe and healthy workplace is the responsibility of all employers, and most companies and business take that responsibility seriously. Even so, according to the National Safety Council, one worker gets hurt on the job every seven seconds—that adds up to approximately seven million workplace injuries per year.
Fortunately, the American workforce is covered by workers’ compensation insurance, a no-fault, government-mandated insurance program that pays monetary benefits to workers who get hurt or become disabled in the course of their employment. Typically, whenever a work-related injury needs medical attention, employers must provide treatment to the injured worker at no cost to them. In addition, depending on the severity and consequences of the injury, there may be other workers’ compensation benefits available.
Common workers’ compensation claims include sprains, strains, cuts, bruises, punctures, and fractures. More complex workers’ compensation claims may involve slip and fall accidents, repetitive motion injuries, vehicle accidents, overexertion injuries, and occupational illnesses.
Other work-related injuries that are less common and serious enough to trigger claims include diseases caused by occupational exposure to chemicals, toxic substances, or environmental contaminants, electric shock, burns, hernias, hearing loss, dental injuries, loss of vision, amputations, organ damage, and mental health injuries.
Minimizing workers’ compensation claims is in the best interest of everyone, employers and employees alike. The following strategies can help create a safer workplace:
· Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Wearing PPE is critical to protecting those working with hazardous materials from injury.
· Rotate Employees
The longer a worker is in a dangerous environment, the greater their risk of injury. Rotate your team through all the jobs and tasks so no one spends too much time in the riskiest spot.
· Eliminate Hazards
Get rid of hazardous elements such as gas or other flammable liquids, provide proper ventilation, and ensure adequate disposal methods will reduce illness and injury.
· Provide Training
Creating a learning environment focused on safety will promote a healthier workplace.
· Recruit a Safety Committee
A cross-section of employees, team leaders, and management demonstrates that safety and health are a priority and motivate everyone to act accordingly.
Despite everyone’s best efforts, however, injuries and illness still occur on the job. If you have been injured on the job, you are entitled to receive workers’ compensation. Some injuries may have allowed you to return to work with certain restrictions or limitations, while others may be preventing you from working at all. Other injuries, especially sprains, strains, and repetitive use injuries, may be causing you lingering pain that has created an ongoing impairment. In these cases, a workers compensation lawyer can help you apply for permanent disability benefits.
For example, an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer like Arthur C. Crum can help you obtain all the benefits you are entitled to receive. If you had a work-related injury that has caused a permanent disability, Arthur C. Crum will advocate for you against insurance claims administrators who want you to settle for less than you are entitled to under the law. To discuss your potential workers’ compensation case with one of the most experienced personal injury attorneys in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, call Arthur C. Crum today.
