Data published by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) captures how health care workers have one of the highest job-related injury risks of all employees. It’s even higher for them than it is for workers in the manufacturing, construction and logging industries.
This same data shows that nursing home workers are more vulnerable to getting hurt than those employed by hospitals. These statistics show that some injuries are more common among medical professionals as well.
Injuries common to medical professionals
BLS data shows that nearly 60% of health care workers’ injuries are attributable to overexertion. Another 20% result from slips, trips and falls. An additional 10% result from on-the-job violence (both intentional and unintentional).
At least 30% of the reported overexertion injuries result from health care workers moving or lifting patients or residents, and at least 50% of these injuries result in sprains and strains.
A combination of the factors mentioned above also results in health care workers’ fractures, contusions, punctures and lacerations.
Why health care workers are vulnerable to getting hurt
Additional data compiled by the BLS shows that the average nurse is 50 years of age. The federal agency’s statistics also show that a worker’s risk of suffering an injury that requires them to miss days from work is 76% higher if they’re older than 40 years of age. BLS determined that the severity of injuries and recovery times for older workers is 2.5 longer than those for younger ones.
Getting what you are due from workers’ compensation
If you’re a medical worker who was injured on the job, you may have a right to file for workers’ compensation. Those benefits can help you obtain the medical treatment you need for your injuries and provide some replacement income, among other options. Working with an experienced attorney can make it easier to obtain the help you deserve.