Category: Workers’ Compensation

Public safety workers such as police officers and firefighters face workplace dangers that often result in serious injury and death. Each year in the United States, thousands of public safety workers lose their lives in the line of duty.

EMS workers face job hazards that put them at high risk for occupational illnesses, injuries, and fatalities. In 2014, there were over 22,000 emergency medical service workers who were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.

Workers in certain age groups, racial/ethnic groups and occupations have a higher risk of fatal workplace injuries. In 2015, there were more than 4,800 workplace fatalities, representing the highest number of on-the-job deaths since 2008.

More than 68% of nail gun injuries occur to workers in the construction industry. Nail gun related injuries are a serious occupational risk to workers, resulting in 37,000 emergency room visits every year.

Illinois roadway workers are exposed to hazardous workplace conditions that put them at high risk of serious injury and death. There are various occupations that require work near busy roadways and freeways, exposing thousands of workers to serious dangers.

Fraudulent workers’ compensation claims are more rare than portrayed in the media. Workers’ compensation reform advocates often rely on misleading reports, such as a Dateline special from 2009, that mischaracterize or fail to provide context of fraudulent workers’ compensation claims to push for tougher screening, higher premiums, and reduced benefits.

A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is done to determine a person’s capacity for work. It is a series of different tests that include analyzing the patient’s ability to bend, hold, lift, push, pull, stand, walk, and reach. The individual’s flexibility and balance are also tested.

Employer violations of OSHA safety laws and regulations are the direct cause of thousands of workplace injuries each year. When accidents occur because of such violations, the companies may pay large fines. At the same time, employees also pay with lost wages, serious injuries, and even death.

Working in the healthcare industry can be surprisingly hazardous. In fact, a recent report referred to nursing as one of the most dangerous jobs in America. And the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the risk for serious injuries or illnesses that result in lost time from work is higher in the healthcare industry than it is in manufacturing and even construction.

There are plenty of ways employees can experience injuries on the job, but here are some of the most common that can result in a workers’ compensation claim in many cases. Consultants for the National Safety Council travel across the globe to visit different workspaces and conduct safety audits, and these are some of the more common workplace dangers they’ve found.