Some job hazards are universal. Medical workers, like most other employees, are at risk of sustaining injuries in a slip-and-fall incident. They also face a number of career- and workplace-specific job hazards.
Medical employees are at risk of patient violence, which is a top cause of injury. They could make contact with dangerous objects, including used syringes or external artificial defibrillation devices. However, the most common source of on-the-job injuries for people in hospitals may surprise those unfamiliar with the demands of caring for patients.
Overexertion is the leading cause of hospital worker injuries
When looking at lost-time incidents where workers require a leave of absence to undergo treatment or heal, overexertion and bodily reaction dominate the statistics. According to an analysis of reported workplace incidents at hospitals, 48%, or just under half, of all workplace incidents involved workers pushing their bodies too far.
Frequently, patient care is responsible for overexertion injuries. Professionals try to lift someone who has fallen or can’t get out of bed, only to throw out their backs. Overexertion injuries may respond to rest and treatment.
Unfortunately, that means they often require a leave of absence and medical treatments. Workers’ compensation benefits can allow people to avoid the patient responsibility costs of using traditional health insurance. It also allows them to avoid depleting their paid leave, which they may need to use for other purposes.
Pursuing a workers’ compensation claim could help injured hospital employees pay for care and recoup a portion of lost wages. Those who overexert themselves on the job may require weeks to recover from their injuries. A successful workers’ compensation claim can limit the impact these injuries have on hospital employees.
