Workers’ compensation is not limited to just one or two types of industry types. It is a type of insurance available to almost all workers in virtually every type of occupation. Even so, some industries by their very nature are more dangerous than others. Following are the top 10 industries, according to the Insurance Information Institute, with the highest numbers of injuries and illnesses in 2020. At Vanesse Law, LLC, we help people injured in any line of work obtain the benefits to which they are entitled. Reach out today to schedule a consultation with a Lancaster workers comp lawyer.
Nursing assistants take the top spot on our list, and it’s not surprising why. Nursing assistants typically work in high-stress, fast-paced environments. They are hands-on with medical patients and assist in all types of medical procedures. Some of the most common injuries sustained by nursing assistants are:
Nursing assistants also have a high rate of back injuries due to their strenuous job duties, which include manually lifting or moving immobile patients.
Like nursing assistants, registered nurses (RNs) are expected to perform physically demanding tasks as part of their job. Constantly moving, RNs are exposed to many opportunities to slip, trip, or fall. They are exposed to hazardous substances, including infectious diseases, drugs, radiation, and accidental needle sticks. Chemicals used for disinfecting and cleaning medical environments are also a danger.
A Lancaster workers comp lawyer is often needed to help an RN obtain the full amount of compensation they are owed for work-related injuries and illnesses.
The third-ranking industry for the largest number of illnesses and injuries is laborers and freight, stock, and material movers (laborers). These workers typically work full time and are responsible for moving stock and other materials. It is labor-intensive work, and is mostly performed in warehouses, around large equipment, and sometimes around hazardous materials. The constant lifting, pulling, and moving is a major contributing factor to the injuries laborers sustain.
Truck drivers of large, heavy trucks and tractor-trailers have a large number of musculoskeletal injuries. The incidence rate for musculoskeletal injuries in truck drivers is 3.5 times higher than the national average. Most of those injuries are to the arm, neck, and back, and are caused by falls and contact with equipment. Another contributing factor is the uncomfortable postures that often accompany the tasks truckers must perform, such as placing tarps and checking tires.
Stockers and order fillers often go by different work titles, such as Inventory Specialist, Stocker, and Warehouse Clerk. They are responsible for stocking shelves, packaging items in preparation for shipping, and unloading materials. They also operate the equipment needed to complete their jobs, such as forklifts, and ladders. These positions require a large amount of lifting, pushing, and pulling, which leads to strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries often result in the need for workers’ compensation benefits.
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) have a high number of occupation-related injuries and illnesses. People in these career fields perform many basic nursing duties, including lifting immobile patients and administering medications intravenously.
Exposure to harmful substances and drugs contributes to a large number of injuries. Another contributing factor is constant movement, including lifting, stretching, and bending. If you are an LPN or LVN and you have been injured on the job, it is in your best interest to contact a Lancaster workers comp lawyer.
A retail salesperson is someone whose job it is to sell a product, from cars to clothes and everything in-between. Being a retail salesperson means moving and being on the go as it is not a sedentary position. This is the biggest contributing factor to retail salespersons being number 7 on this list. They do what is necessary to promote their product, and this often means repetitive motions, lifting, standing, and reaching. Being on the go also means retail salespersons experience slips and falls outside on ground that is wet, icy or covered in snow. Injuries are typical to the back and shoulders.
A personal care aide is a person that provides care to people that are unable to perform daily living tasks on their own. This includes elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Job tasks can include providing assistance with personal hygiene and toileting, cooking, and housework. This type of work is very physically demanding and that is the reason there is a high rate of injuries in this profession. Common injuries include sprains, strains, and overexertion.
A production worker ensures that production moves along smoothly by monitoring machinery and checking on product quality. Their job can also include assembling products and operating heavy machinery. Accomplishing their daily tasks requires exposure to dangerous conditions, and common injuries include repetitive stress injuries, machine-related injuries, burns, slips and falls.
General maintenance & repair workers is a catch-all title for workers that provide any type of service to maintain or repair a product. These laborers may be responsible for painting a house, repairing a roof, or repairing machinery. Their tasks are extremely varied and may be performed indoors or outside, during the day or at night. Because of the variety in what they do, injuries to general maintenance and repair workers can be caused by a wide range of activities, including falling, tripping, or machine related-injuries.
When you have been injured on the job, you need counsel that understands the worker’s compensation system in Pennsylvania. Contact our firm to speak with a Lancaster workers comp lawyer to find out how we can help you recover the compensation that you are owed. We have the experience and knowledge you are looking for.
30 East Roseville Road, Suite C
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: 717-397-1010
Office Hours:
After Hours: 717-471-2168
Fax: 717-397-2644
Vanasse Law LLC is conveniently located just north of center city Lancaster just off Route 30. We are in Sterling Center just off Lititz Pike/Route 501. Our office has plenty of free parking and is handicapped accessible.
Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Vanasse Law LLC serves injured workers throughout Lancaster County and surrounding communities.
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