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There are many kinds of workplace accidents that take place in various situations, so it’s important that you’re always looking for ways to maintain your safety in your work environment. Some of the most common injuries that take place include repetitive motion injuries, machine entanglements and motor vehicle accidents. With repetitive motion injuries, people suffer injuries because of doing the same thing over and over again. For example, if you work in a factory on a conveyor line, you may have to perform the same movement 50 to 100 times per minute. This rapid, identical movement can wear down your joints, tendons and other parts of your body, leading to an injury from the strain the motion puts on your body. With machine entanglement injuries, a person is caught in, pulled into, crushed by or otherwise involved in an accident with a piece of machinery. This sometimes leads to amputations, crushing injuries or other severe, life-threatening injuries. Most machine-related injuries can be prevented by using machinery guards, a safety requirement in most workplaces. If your employer foregoes the safety guards to save time or money, it is an important safety violation. Finally, motor vehicle accidents can be a workplace accident. If you are driving for the purpose of work, then getting into an accident can be considered compensable through workers’ compensation. For instance, if you’re a truck driver who is struck by another driver and injured, you should be able to receive compensation for the injuries you suffered while performing your duties. Our website has information on workers’ compensation claims and what you can do if you were hurt at work.

Willful workplace violations. Those are words that no family wants to hear after the death of a loved one. They mean that the employer knew that there were violations of safety regulations and did nothing about them. These violations could be as simple as not guarding machinery to not providing safety gear to workers at a construction site. With so many businesses in the United States, it’s not surprising that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration doesn’t have enough agents to go to every business to check that it is following safety regulations. What it is doing is finding the businesses that are violating its regulations most often and taking a stand against them. The federal safety agency and its state counterparts have 1,850 or fewer inspectors who have to monitor 8 million workplaces. It is simply impossible for the officials to inspect every job site. That’s why the agency requests that you report any safety violations that take place in the workplace. Right now, OSHA only goes to severe violator workplaces or to workplaces where deaths or severe injuries have taken place. There simply isn’t the manpower to do more. Even adding more inspectors wouldn’t help; the job is overwhelming. Despite this, its job is necessary and enforcement is required. Companies that violate safety precautions can be put into severe violator program that takes years to get out of. While this is a good start, it isn’t enough to hold all companies accountable for their actions. If your loved one was hurt or killed, it must be reported. Then OSHA will investigate the incident. An attorney can help you file a workers’ compensation claim or a death benefits claim. Source: Iowa Watch, “OSHA’s Wall of Shame: With Limited Staff, Agency Targets ‘Severe Violators’,” Paul Feldman and Stuart Silverstein, Dec. 23, 2016

An employer could argue that a slip-and-fall accident shouldn’t be something he should be held liable for if the employee was behaving negligently or if there was no negligence on the part of the employer. For example, if you trip and fall over your own two feet, is that the business owner’s fault simply because you were at work? In most workers’ compensation situations, if you slip, trip or fall, you can seek medical treatment and know that the Workers’ Compensation Commission will approve your claim so long as it took place at work. However, there are times when your claim could be denied even though there is no precedent to do so. In the past, there was one case where a woman tripped and fell over a carpet at work. She was treated for neck and shoulder pain, but the commission denied her claim. It stated that she could have been hurt anywhere, and there was nothing specific at work that could have contributed to her fall any more than anywhere else. That decision was later reversed, because even though that fall wasn’t a result of a hazard, she was working when she fell. Overall, the courts in the state decided that if you are working or are performing tasks in the course of employment at the time when you are injured, you will be entitled to workers’ compensation and can’t be denied compensation simply because the same injury could have happened elsewhere or was not specifically caused by a hazard in the workplace. If your claim is denied even though you are an employee and were hurt at work, you can appeal with your attorney’s assistance. Source: Safety News Alert, “Are trip-and-fall injuries eligible for workers’ comp?,” accessed Dec. 20, 2016

Workplace injuries cost employers money and cause employees to suffer. Fortunately, some injuries can be reduced or eliminated with the use of ergonomics in the workplace. Americans spend around 2,000 hours a year at work, so workplaces need to be a safe, ergonomic location. The hours spent at computers or on a factory line add up, and those repetitive motions take a toll on your back, arms, neck and eyes. What are the signs and symptoms of workplace injuries caused by repetitive motions? While not all repetitive-motion injuries cause long-term pain or injury, sitting incorrectly for long periods of time can cause neck and back strain, headaches and other related illnesses. Repetitive motion injuries can wear away at tendons and ligaments, inflaming joints and causing pain. The goal of ergonomics is to reduce the limitations of the body by making the joints, bones, tendons and muscles work in the best possible positions. These positions work to reduce the potential for strain by aligning the body properly. When a person isn’t working in the right position, it leads to reduced efficiency, a loss of income due to injury, increased medical claims and potentially permanent disability. Musculoskeletal disorders occur when muscles, tendons and nerves are aggravated by repeated movements in awkward positions or when exposed to high forces, vibrations or exposure to cold. Irritating the nerves can cause inflammation that is painful and restricting; tendons can tear, and joints can become stiff. Employers need to make sure that employees get enough breaks and have ergonomic work conditions. Without them, more injuries take place, and you may need to apply for workers’ compensation. Source: AIHA, “An Ergonomics Approach to Avoiding Office Workplace Injuries and Illnesses,” accessed Dec. 13, 2016

Construction workers are exposed to hazards almost every day. They often perform tasks that are dangerous, such as building bridges at a height or wading into cool or frigid waters to do repairs. When safety protocols are followed, there should be no accidents. If a loved one is hurt because someone fails to do so, then that’s a major concern. Workers and their families can generally seek workers’ compensation after an accident results in injuries or a death. The benefits help cover expenses that were unexpected, and it’s something this person’s family might consider. A construction worker in Fayetteville passed away after an accident in which the machinery he was working on tipped over, forcing him into a nearby creek. The man’s body was discovered around 2:00 p.m., on Nov. 29, according to local news sources. The man had worked for Fayetteville Public Works Commission for 13 years before this accident. He was working in Stewart Creek when the accident took place. He had been fixing a bridge that had sustained damage during Hurricane Matthew. Following the machine tipping, the man was lost in the creek. The investigators from the North Carolina Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Department have indicated that an investigation has begun into the incident. It took several hours for emergency responders to find the man. Divers had to come in to search the bed of the creek. It isn’t clear exactly how he passed away, but there will likely be more updates about the accident in the upcoming days as the investigation takes place in North Carolina. Source: CBS WNCN, “Fayetteville construction worker dies after machinery flips,” Nov. 29, 2016

The most common occupational illnesses in the U.S. include falls, musculoskeletal injuries and those from overexertion. Fractures, lacerations and other work-related injuries are also common. It’s your employer’s responsibility to make sure as few accidents happen as possible. This can be achieved by providing important information on safety requirements to workers as well as making sure they are properly trained to do their jobs. In 2010, it was shown that nearly 47 out of 10,000 workplace injuries and illnesses were a result of sprains, strains and tears. These are often caused by overexertion. For instance, a worker who puts in 60 hours a week doing repetitive motions would be more likely to suffer injuries than one who works 20 hours a week doing the same tasks. Overexertion in lifting injuries make up around 13.2 injuries out of the total 27 injuries per 10,000 workers. These injuries are also likely to be caused by pushing the body too hard. It’s important to know when a task requires two or more people or when machinery should be used to move an item. Another injury to look out for is a musculoskeletal injury. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 34.3 of 10,000 on-the-job injuries are related to musculoskeletal injuries of the back, wrists and other parts of the body. Employers should always know how much work employees are putting in and make an effort to reduce the risk of injury in the workplace. If you suffer an injury or illness, workers’ compensation benefits may apply to your case, so you can get the support you need to seek medical attention. Our website has more information.

Accidents happen, and if you’ve suffered an injury while working in North Carolina, you may be eligible for lost wage compensation. This compensation is provided to you when you have missed over seven days of work due to an injury that took place on the job. This payment isn’t due to you until you miss at least seven days of work, and those days won’t be paid to you unless you end up with a disability that exceeds 21 days. In that case, the payment for those days will be added to the second benefits check. If you are going to be receiving financial compensation from workers’ compensation for lost wages, you need to understand how it’s calculated. The income you will receive is calculated at two-thirds of your average weekly wage. The maximum you can receive each week is $978 based on the 2017 maximum recently approved by the government. You can continue to receive these benefits on a weekly basis until you are able to return to work and resume your job. If you are unable to return to work, you may be entitled to permanent disability payments, which are calculated in the same way. Other forms of payments may also be available. In order to obtain these benefits, you’ll need to show that you suffered an accident at work. Your employer should acknowledge your claim for compensation. If he or she refuses to do so, you can appeal any denial for compensation that you receive and work with your attorney to make sure you get all that you’re owed. Source: North Carolina Industrial Commission, “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs),” accessed Nov. 24, 2016

Coal mining accidents can impact the lives of many people all at once. When a mine collapses or a shaft closes, it can block off the workers inside and make it hard for them to get help, food or water. For those who are injured, it’s near impossible to get the medical care they need, leading to more serious injuries due to the wait time. Coal mining accidents happen for a number of reasons including methane explosions, coal stockpile collapses or falls. Burns, coal miner’s silicosis or pneumoconiosis are also possible injuries workers could suffer form. Each of these accidents or injuries can be hard on a person and could lead to disabilities or death. After a serious injury takes place, the family of the victim and the victim him or herself must deal with the emotional, physical and financial toll of the injury. There are many costs to consider, from the expenses related to medical care and therapy to those for traveling and treatment from specialist facilities. With the worker no longer being employed, finances can become strained for some families, which is why seeking out workers’ compensation is so important. In the long term, those who have been injured might suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or other life-altering conditions that need ongoing medical care. It’s the job of workers’ compensation to accommodate those who have been injured by covering the cost of medical care and providing income to those who can’t return to work. Workers may also be entitled to disability payments or other benefits due to suffering an injury on the job. Our website has more information on the steps to take when you’ve been injured.

It should be obvious that a company should not profit at the expense of its workers’ health. Workplace safety is incredibly important, and when regulations and safety procedures are not followed, the workplace becomes very dangerous for the people who are employed there. A Nov. 4 report covers this important topic, which should be at the heart of all workplaces. When a worker is injured, it costs the company more than just an insurance premium. The worker may not be able to come back to work, which means lost hours and wasted money on training. The best way to prevent these kinds of expenses from getting out of control is to have a good workplace safety plan. One of the most effective ways to reduce costs is simply not to have costs related to injuries at all; that means taking steps to prevent injuries of all kinds in the workplace. In your workplace, you should have access to personal protective equipment as well as documents explaining what to do if you’re exposed to workplace chemicals or other hazards. You should know your policy on reporting injuries and what you should do if you are injured in the workplace. If an accident does take place in the workplace, your employer should be taking steps to figure out how to prevent it from happening again in the future. Identifying and fixing problems in the workplace can help save lives and prevent injuries. With the right help, workplaces can become safer. If you’re injured, workers’ compensation is there to cover your needs, but the real challenge is making sure something is learned from the situation so that others don’t suffer the same injuries. Source: Industry Week, “Profits Should Not Come at the Cost of Workplace Safety,” Janice Berthold, Nov. 04, 2016

There are many kinds of workplace illnesses that can result in you having to miss work, from common illnesses like the flu or a cold to serious illnesses such as cancer caused by exposure to toxins. Even the most common workplace illnesses could result in a workers’ compensation claim depending on your situation. Here are a few examples. Catching the flu It probably comes as no surprise that catching the flu is a problem in busy workplaces where people interact. Most offices encourage getting the flu shot to protect those who can’t from the potentially life-threatening illness. While many people get sick and then recover within a few days, others may not be so lucky. If you end up with a flu that was going around the office and develop pneumonia, for example, you may find yourself in the hospital for several days and have to miss work for a week or longer. At that point, it’s worth considering a workers’ compensation claim if you can show that you caught the flu while you were at work. It may be helpful if you could show that a co-worker had a particularly bad flu and chose to come to work, anyway; for example, those who had the H1N1 could have spread a life-threatening flu and weren’t supposed to go into work. Suffering from strep Another condition that spreads fairly easily is strep throat. It can result in tonsils swelling up, difficulty swallowing, fevers and other issues. Strep can be passed from person to person for up to 21 days without treatment. If a coworker decides not to seek treatment when he or she knows that strep is likely, you could file a complaint and may have a case if you end up sick and have to miss work. It’s not always easy to prove that a simple illness that goes around each year is a direct result of being on the job, but with the right evidence and information on how your illness progressed, you may be able to access workers’ compensation or other benefits. Source: Lifesize, “Six Common Office Illnesses and Their Contagious Periods,” Julian Fields, accessed Nov. 03, 2016

Workers’ compensation insurance covers you if you’re injured in a work-related accident. Any employee working a typical job should have coverage provided by an employer. Do trucking companies have to carry workers’ compensation insurance? While some truck operators and trucking company owners are independent contractors, North Carolina law requires that workers’ compensation coverage is in place to cover these individuals. If the owner-operator of a business doesn’t offer workers’ compensation insurance coverage due to drivers being independent contractors, then the motor carrier needs to purchase workers’ compensation coverage for him- or herself. Is a motor-carrier employer liable for workplace injuries that are suffered by an independent contractor? North Carolina law states that workplace injuries that are suffered by an independent contractor are not the responsibility of a motor-carrier employer if the independent contractor is licensed individually by the U.S. Department of Transportation and personally operates the vehicle in which he or she was injured. Can a company carry occupational accident insurance instead of workers’ compensation insurance? While it might seem like a good substitute, carrying and occupational accident insurance instead of workers’ compensation insurance is not legal. It is a separate type of insurance that an employer can purchase on top of workers’ compensation coverage, but it only covers specific injury types and has limited benefits. Carriers in North Carolina are not required to have occupational accident insurance, but they may choose to if they want extra coverage for their employees. However, if the carrier is not carrying workers’ compensation coverage, this is against the law and can result in fines or lawsuits from injured employees. Source: North Carolina Industrial Commission, “Frequently Asked Questions,” accessed Oct. 28, 2016

There are several causes of workplace accidents. These common causes result in a number of injuries and deaths each year, but the most tragic part is that they can be prevented. Here are three of the most common that you can avoid. The first cause is unsafe lifting. Employees who lift objects wrong or objects that are too heavy may tear, sprain or strain their muscles. This could lead to the need for surgery or result in torn ligaments that no longer function correctly, leaving you in pain. Another issue is dehydration, which is particularly prominent in hot locations or workplaces. On particularly hot days, dehydration can result in heat stroke or cardiac problems that could lead to death; it’s important for workers to have appropriate breaks and to drink regularly throughout the day. Safe workplaces encourage hydration and rest and take anyone showing signs of dehydration off the job immediately. If your boss won’t allow you to drink enough and you fall ill, you could file a workers’ compensation claim against him or her. Fatigue is another serious risk in the workplace that can lead to accidents. If you’ve ever driven tired or tried to work when you weren’t quite awake, you know that it’s easy to make mistakes that threaten you and others. Make sure that you get a good night of sleep before work, and if you’re too tired to work, say so. It’s better for an employee to get a 20-minute nap than for one to cause a workplace accident that results in a disability or death. In all these cases, it’s possible to prevent the causes that could lead to an accident. Stay vigilant and work, and report any hazards or actions that could lead to injury. Source: Reliable Plant, “8 Common Causes of Workplace Accidents,” Tom Reddon, accessed Oct. 21, 2016