Statistics show that slightly over 1 million work injuries occurred in the United States in 2011, causing many missed days of work. Employees in Kansas may experience several types of work-related injuries.
Slips, trips and falls
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that slips, trips and falls cause about 700 fatal accidents yearly. Slips in the workplace commonly occur on wet, snowy or icy surfaces or from wearing incorrect footwear. Types of falls include falling from higher levels, falling on an even level or falling on uneven surfaces.
A trip and fall commonly throws the worker off balance, which could be caused by overexertion, loose floorboards, obstructions, inadequate lighting or lack of handrails. Trips and falls are a primary cause of traumatic brain injury and fractures in employees.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders cover several types of injuries related to soft tissues, such as nerves, bones and tendons. Repetitive stress injuries occur from repetitive motions that stress the joints, such as working at a factory or using a cash register.
An example of a repetitive stress injury is carpal tunnel, which affects the median nerve in the wrist located in the front forearm. Carpal tunnel may cause burning, swelling, numbness, tingling and general weakness in the fingers or hands.
Motor vehicle accidents
Workers who drive as part of the job risk getting into vehicle accidents because of weather or negligent drivers. Fatigue also plays a big role in work-related vehicle accidents, which could cause the driver to fall asleep at the wheel or not stay focused on the road.
Whiplash, a common injury after a vehicle crash, jerks the head violently back and forth. Sometimes, the injury won’t be apparent for several days after an accident. A car crash can also cause fractures, spinal injuries and traumatic brain injury.
An employee may qualify for workers’ compensation or file a third-party claim in cases of vehicle accidents. If a worker feels that their claim has been unfairly denied, they should seek the help of an attorney.