May 2, 2018
In New York, some of our most valued workers are those who go to work every day helping others in the healthcare field. Nurses, patient technicians, physician assistants, and other healthcare employees are vital to the lives and well-being of their patients, but their jobs also involve significant risk of injury. On-the-job injuries in the healthcare field are as varied as they are common, but like most workplace injuries, they are generally covered by New York’s workers’ compensation system.
Healthcare employees may work in a variety of places, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home-care settings, each presenting a different set of risks. As such, injuries in the healthcare workplace can come about many different ways. Some of the most common workplace injuries for healthcare employees include the following:
Patient lifting injuries. Nurses, home care assistants, and similar workers are often required to lift their patients into and out of beds or operating tables, a task that puts a serious strain on their muscles and joints. Therefore, it is no surprise that these employees often suffer from overexertion injuries–especially common among these are back injuries, which can be painful and debilitating.
Violent incidents in the workplace. In the U.S., healthcare workers are at a higher risk of injury due to violence in the workplace than workers in many other industries. This is especially true in hospitals and other facilities where nurses and other employees frequently work directly with individuals under the influence of drugs or when working with developmentally disabled patients.
Falls, slips, and trips. Slip and fall accidents can occur in any workplace and are common in medical facilities where slick floors are subject to liquid spills and other obstacles.
The above examples are unfortunately just some of the hazards inherent in the jobs of healthcare workers. Thankfully, the New York workers’ compensation system is in place to help employees who suffer from workplace injuries. Healthcare workers such as nurses, orderlies, and patient technicians may file workers’ comp claims if they are harmed at work, including repetitive stress injuries, infections contracted on the job, or accidental trauma.
If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness in the healthcare field, you may be eligible to have your medical bills paid and to receive cash benefits if you are unable to work. Navigating the ins and outs of filing a workers’ compensation claim can be confusing, and our team of experienced workers’ compensation attorneys in Rochester, NY can help.
Contact our workers’ compensation attorneys today to schedule a consultation.
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