Nursing can be a dangerous job. As a nurse, you encounter more risk on a day-to-day basis than people in most jobs do.
Understanding the risks can help reduce the chance you need to file a workers’ compensation claim. Here are some of the most common:
1. Sharps
Patients may have used needles in their pockets. An out-of-control patient could also cause you to come into contact with one after you inject them. Other sharps can also be hazardous if not safely disposed of.
2. Aggressive people
Patients, their friends and families could all potentially become aggressive. Patients might do so because they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Others visiting might do so because they are worried about what will happen to the patient or have brought problems from the outside in with them. For example, a gang member is keen to get their friend out as soon as possible for fear a rival gang will find them in the hospital and seek revenge for an earlier incident.
3. The constant stress and strains of the job
Nurses often get back injuries and other muscular injuries due to the amount of heavy lifting and awkward maneuvering the job entails. Mental stress can also build up and leave them with long-term health problems, especially if they do not get adequate time to rest and recover between shifts.
If you get injured or ill while at work, it’s important to know that you should be able to claim workers’ compensation, but you may want help to ensure you get the full amount you deserve.
