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4 common causes of workplace accidents

On Behalf of | Nov 9, 2022 | Workers' Compensation

Everyone should be safe at their workplaces. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to avoid getting hurt at work. About 2.8 million Americans in private industries suffer from workplace injuries each year.

There are many causes of workplace accidents, and here are four common ones below:

1. Overexertion/Lifting

People who work in industries like manufacturing or retail are the most susceptible to overexertion injuries. These jobs require employees to engage in repetitive motions like lifting heavy boxes or machinery, resulting in back pain, pulled muscles or sprains.

2. Fatigue

Working while drowsy is usually humiliating at a desk job since someone could nod off and suddenly find themselves on the floor or typing gibberish on their computer. 

But being half asleep in a transportation job is no laughing matter. A sleepy truck or bus driver risks hurting themselves and other drivers since being tired decreases an individual’s reaction time.

3. Carelessness

Suppose a janitor is mopping a floor at a grocery store. Then, their phone rings. They’re so engrossed in their phone call that they forget to put a wet floor sign in the spot they mopped. Their co-worker — a cashier — steps out of the bathroom, slips on the wet spot and breaks their foot.

In fact, there are over two million fall injuries each year in the United States. 

4. Stress

Sometimes people can be so stressed out that it’s difficult for them to focus. For example, an employee is irritated about being dumped with extra work while pouring a cup of coffee. Suddenly, their hand is scalding because they accidentally spilled hot coffee on themselves.

It’s horrible to hear of workplace accidents, especially since some lead to permanent disabilities or death. If you’ve been hurt at work and your workers’ compensation claim isn’t going well, it may be time to learn more about your legal options.

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