Common Workplace Injuries and their average Monetary Compensation
Burn Injuries
Workplace burns are a severe issue in the United States, with more than 300,000 injuries per year. These injuries often cause permanent disfigurement and scarring and can lead to death. The most common type of workplace burn is a contact burn-these can be caused by touching something hot or the pressure from a steam pipe that has been breached. A chemical burn may also be caused by contact with chemicals at work.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recommended that employers offer first aid or emergency medical services for employees who suffer from skin injuries at the workplace. One of the most common causes of such injuries is contact with chemicals. The most likely chemical to cause damage is corrosive.
However, skin injuries are not limited to just corrosives and can also be caused by other substances, including paints, solvents, acids, and alkalis. It is important to note that different meanings will have different levels of severity in terms of what kind of first aid treatment they require.
Burn injuries at the workplace average settlement cost are $87,000. Injuries are not just physical. They can also be emotional and mental. The most severe case of this, PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder), can be triggered by many events like car accidents, house fires and even a bad day at work.
Lacerations
Laceration injuries are among the most common injuries, with 26% of all workplace injuries. Lacerations are caused by contact with a sharp object or surface. The most common cause is from machinery or equipment or knives and saws, but they also occur from slips and falls and animal bites.
These injuries can lead to severe consequences such as scarring, nerve damage, and the need for corrective surgery, which can lead to months of recovery time.
Lacerations can be categorized as shallow or deep. A superficial cut may need simple first aid treatment to stop the bleeding, while a doctor should evaluate deep scratches.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4,200 workplace injuries involved lacerations in 2016. The average settlement for a laceration injury at work is about $10,000.
Electric Shocks
If you come in contact with electricity from a power line, or if you’re working on a live wire, the electrical potential difference can cause pain and injury. Contact with an electrically charged object will result in a shock to the system. There is a sudden rush of electrons through your body when this happens. It can damage nerves and muscles.
Shock injuries are a common workplace hazard, accounting for about three per cent of all occupational illnesses. Shock injuries are usually caused by electricity, friction, or extreme cold contact.
One misconception of these injuries is that electrical shocks from live wires only cause them. However, they can also come from other sources, such as faulty lighting or equipment.
Electric shock injuries at the workplace can be severe, especially if they are not taken care of quickly enough. The average settlement for electric shock injuries is $200,000.
Poisoning by Harmful Substances
Poisoning by hazardous substances is a significant occupational hazard. In the United States, an estimated 30,000 workers are exposed to dangerous substances daily. These injuries represent an important public health concern.
Poisoning by hazardous substances is one of the most common causes of death in the workplace. The most common way of contracting a dangerous substance poisoning is through inhalation or contact with the skin.
The hazardous substances most likely to cause inhalation or skin contact poisoning include acids, alkalis, mercury, phosphorus, asbestos, and many other organic solvents.
The average settlement for a worker who has been exposed to hazardous substances at work is $500,000.
If you are unsure about filing a Work Injury Claim, refer here.
Filing workplace injuries claims can be tricky. You have to know your rights when it comes to workers compensation. If you are in a job that carries the risk of injury, getting an experienced Workers’ Comp attorney specializing in such matters is advisable.
Contact us at Gaylord and Nantais Attorneys at Law today. Our expert Workers’ Compensation Lawyers will guide you through every step of the process, making it easy to get the Monetary Compensation you deserve.
Call us at (562) 561-2669/(213) 732-3436 to book a free evaluation.
