Any employee can suffer an on-the-job injury. It doesn’t matter if you work in construction, in a warehouse, or sit at a desk all day, you never know when you could be struck by an injury.
Of course, some industries are more prone to workplace accidents than others. For example, construction workers should be aware of many types of workplace injuries. The more knowledge you have the easier it is to avoid an injury that could require medical treatment and time away from your job.
Here are some of the most common types of construction worker injuries:
- Repetitive motion injuries. This happens when you perform the same motion, day in and day out. For example, if you lift heavy loads every day, it could eventually cause trouble with your knees, shoulders or another body part.
- Machine entanglement. This is a serious injury that occurs when a person is entangled in heavy machinery. Although there are safety precautions in place to prevent such accidents, these still occur regularly.
- Falling objects. A common problem on construction sites, any object that falls from above could strike a person standing below. If this happens, the person could suffer a serious head or spine injury.
- Falling from height. Construction workers often climb ladders, walk on scaffolding and work on roofs. Any fall from height can cause a variety of injuries, such as broken bones and paralysis.
As a construction worker, you know that every job site can be a dangerous place. This is why you take precautions, such as wearing a helmet and following all safety procedures.
If you suffer any type of injury on the job, you may be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Take these steps to do so:
- Report the accident and injury to your employer.
- Receive immediate medical attention.
- Don’t hesitate to file a claim for benefits.
When you take these steps, you improve your chance of having your claim approved the first time around. If you receive a denial for any reason, such as if your employer states that you were not injured on the job, don’t wait to file an appeal. This allows you to protect your legal rights and hopefully receive benefits in the near future.
