Almost all Minnesota workers perform tasks that could potentially cause them to sustain injuries. Even people with jobs that are not labor intensive could be injured at work. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are around 3 million workplace injuries each year, and about one-third of these injuries result in missed workdays.
Understanding how some of the most common types of on-the-job injuries occur may help workers to avoid them. More workers are injured by overexertion than anything else, and many injuries can be avoided if workers use proper lifting techniques. Asking for help while carrying, pulling or pushing things at work may also help a worker to avoid being injured.
Other common causes of workplace injuries are slips, trips and falls. These kinds of accidents can happen in any work environment and often occur because of slippery or cluttered floors. Falls from one level to another are a common cause of construction injuries that can result in severe head trauma and spinal cord injuries. Proper maintenance of stairwells and the use of safety harnesses can help to prevent serious falls. Office workers are frequently injured on the job by repetitive motion injuries that may be avoided with regular breaks and proper ergonomics.
When people require time off to recover from their workplace injuries, it can cause a severe financial strain on them and their families. Medical bills must be paid, and household budgets often take a hit. Most employers are required to provide workers’ compensation coverage, and an attorney can outline the benefits that might be available as well as describe how to apply for them.