Workplace accidents can occur suddenly and sometimes lead to serious wounds. These injuries can range from minor scrapes to severe conditions like head trauma and broken bones. They can also cause mental anguish and chronic pain. Naturally, these injuries can affect a person’s career, life, and financial stability.
The ‘National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2022’ revealed crucial facts about workplace accidents and damages. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the United States witnessed 5,486 fatal work injuries in 2022.
In the same year, workers in the material moving and transportation occupation faced 1,620 dangerous work injuries. Other sectors heavily affected by them include extraction and construction workers, with 1,056 fatalities.
Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of such injuries and the permanent health implications they may lead to. In this article, we will focus on the damages that workplace accidents can cause and how to seek legal compensation.
The Long-Term Effects of Workplace Injuries
Accidents at the workplace can have life-changing effects on workers. Knowing the causes of these mishaps helps employees and employers avoid them.
According to Statista, in 2023, falls at the same level contributed to 15% of the overall cost of disabling workforce wounds in the United States. The direct cost of this kind of injury totaled 8.98 billion US dollars.
A few other causes of workplace injuries in 2023 were:
- Overextension with external sources: 21.9%
- Fall to a lower level:10.4%
- Struck by a device or object: 8.8%
- Trip or slip without fall: 3.3%
Injuries resulting from these causes lead to pain and bruises that should be medically treated. Although healing occurs over time, there can be long-term effects, such as:
Strains and Sprains
These injuries are common in occupations that are physically demanding and involve manual labor. They occur when muscles, tendons, or ligaments get stretched, which leads to tissue damage.
If the recovery is not complete, it can cause joint instability and chronic pain and increase the chance of other injuries in the future. One of the best ways to heal these injuries is by opting for chiropractic care.
Repetitive Strain Injuries
These occur when overuse of certain body parts damages joints, nerves, muscles, and tendons. They lead to muscle weakness, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendinitis. In the long run, they can reduce work productivity levels, which affects both the employee and the company in the long run.
Poor Mental Health and Quality of Life
Any workplace injury occurs suddenly and leads to fear and tension. While physical wounds heal over time, the mind may become hypervigilant, which can cause general anxiety disorder (GAD). You might be in a constant state of stress due to a fear of the accident recurring, which can affect your work pace. It can also diminish your enthusiasm for your job.
Additionally, broken bones and spinal cord injuries limit your capacity to take on an extra workload. This can have a direct effect on your pay structure and lead to lower earnings, resulting in financial stress. As a result, you may need to limit your daily expenditures to make ends meet, which can affect the overall quality of life.
Social Isolation and Low Self-Esteem
If you’ve had a major fall because you were careless while getting down a slippery staircase, it can cause ligament tears, bone fractures, and even spine and head injuries. To recover, you may need to take leave from work based on your doctor’s recommendations.
This can cause social isolation, which is a leading cause of sadness and depression. Not being able to work the way you used to can contribute to low self-esteem. Also, when you return to work after recovery, it might take a long time to regain your previous work speed and output levels.
Workplace Accident Killed Two Construction Workers at Home Site
Almost every city in the United States has its share of workplace accidents and injuries. Let us focus specifically on Edwardsville.
In August 2022, the Belleville News-Democrat reported that two men died at a construction site on East Union Street. The Edwardsville Police Department found them at a manhole that led to storm sewer piping. These workers might have entered the manhole late in the afternoon.
According to Michael Fillback, the Edwardsville Police Chief, and James Whiteford, the Fire Chief, the area was contaminated with toxic gasses. It had low oxygen, too. A police officer who responded to the incident had to be hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries and was later released.
This unfortunate incident highlights the importance of implementing strict safety measures to prevent such accidents and keep workers safe.
Edwardsville Warehouse Workers Injured by a Tornado
Tornadoes are unpredictable and can create havoc within minutes. Consumer Shield reported that there were 83 fatalities in 2023 from tornado events. Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas are states affected by tornadoes. However, in April 2022, CBS News reported that an Amazon warehouse of 1.1 million square feet in Edwardsville was destroyed by a tornado.
The ‘Occupational Safety and Health Administration’ (OSHA) stated that this warehouse didn’t adhere to the federal safety guidelines for storm sheltering, which led to its collapse. OSHA, after its investigation, found out that there was no allocated shelter space. Hence, it advised Amazon to enhance its extreme weather procedures to protect employees.
Workers like Alice McEwen accused Amazon of being aware of the tornado and not evacuating the area. The incident sheds light on the fact that companies should focus on workers’ security during natural calamities. Otherwise, it can lead to severe workplace injuries, including death.
If you stay in Edwardsville, you too can experience similar workplace injuries. Other than floods, storms, or any other natural calamities, you can be hurt on the office premises. An accident can occur because of uneven or wet surfaces, lack of safety measures, and not wearing PPE. In such a situation, get in touch with an Edwardsville personal injury lawyer to manage the legal procedures.
They will evaluate your case and determine if you are eligible for a lawsuit. If you are, you will have to provide evidence so that they can develop a strong case. They will also ensure you get your compensatory amount to cover your medical expenses and other damages you’ve endured.
Taking Legal Action
If you’ve been hurt at your workplace and your company is to blame for it, seek legal recourse. For instance, companies may be aware of short circuits but overlook them until there is an electrical fire. If you get hurt due to such negligence, it’s necessary to take action. The legal procedures might be time-consuming and can take months to resolve.
TorHoerman Law states that the expense of legal representation also discourages people from filing a legal complaint. It is important to know that many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. It means you can pay your lawyer when you get the settlement amount. This makes legal representation affordable and accessible to all.
To sum up, workplace accidents are never pleasant, as they lead to both physical injuries and emotional distress. If the injury is severe, it can take several months or years for an employee to recuperate and resume work.
During this process, they have to deal with costly treatments, isolation, and lengthy legal procedures. Therefore, companies must pay attention to workers’ safety and encourage employees to be careful within their worksites to avoid accidents.
