Workers Compensation: What Are the Reasons for Needing It?

People get hurt on the job all the time. In fact, there is an average of 3 million work-related injuries in the U.S. every year. To put this into perspective, this comes out to be approximately 8,000 injuries per day. It should be no surprise, therefore, that Georgia workers compensation attorneys are busy no matter what time of time it is.

Thankfully, most workplace injuries are minor. Employees who suffer minor injuries tend to be back to work in a matter of days or maybe week. The cases that cause concern are the ones where the employee needs surgery or ends up permanently disabled. In situations like this, workers wouldn’t be able to survive without workers compensation benefits.

Here, we’ll talk about some of the more common types of workplace accidents. We’ll also explain what common types of injuries are suffered by workers in Georgia. If you still have questions after reading this article, don’t hesitate to contact our office directly.

We can help answer any questions you may have. We can also schedule your free, initial consultation. This gives us a chance to review your case and help you decide how best to proceed.

Some Industries Are More Dangerous than Others

Most of us will make it our entire lives without ever getting hurt at work. It all depends on what kind of work you do. Certain industries are simply more dangerous than others. For example, somebody who works in construction is more likely to suffer a workplace injury than an accountant.

Some of the more dangerous industries in the U.S. include the following:

  • Oil and gas workers
  • Truck drivers
  • Construction workers
  • Electricians
  • Loggers
  • Fishermen
  • Warehouse workers

This list is not exhaustive. There are many other types of jobs that put workers at a high risk of getting hurt. Even if you don’t work in any of these industries, you can still get hurt on the job. Even the most sedentary jobs can lead to workplace injuries.

Georgia Injury Lawyers Represent Clients with All Sorts of Workers Compensation Injuries

When people think about workplace injuries, they tend to think of falls or people lifting heavy objects. The truth is that our Georgia injury lawyers represent people with all different types of injuries.

Some of the more common injuries our clients have suffered include:

  • Neck injuries
  • ACL tears and other knee injuries
  • Broken arms, legs, or wrists
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Lower back strains
  • Herniated or bulging discs
  • Lacerations and bruises
  • Burns
  • Vision or hearing loss
  • Illnesses such as mesothelioma
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

This may seem like a very long list. And it is. Just keep in mind, this is just a fraction of the types of injuries you may suffer at work. For the most part, these injuries all require extensive medical treatment. Of course, you won’t miss a lot of time from work if you only suffered a bumps and bruises. However, for any of these other injuries, you may need surgery or long-term physical therapy.

It’s also important to remember that some workers don’t get hurt in a single accident. If you work with certain materials, you’re at risk of developing a serious illness such as cancer. The same is true for people who do repetitive actions all day. For example, people who work in the casino industry dealing cards often suffer carpal tunnel syndrome.

The good news is that, as long as you meet the criteria for workers compensation in Georgia, you’ll receive free medical care. There’s no reason why you should be stuck paying medical bills that were caused by a workplace accident. You also deserve replacement wages during the time you’re out recovering from your injuries.

How Do Georgia Workers Sustain These Injuries?

Even if you don’t work in a dangerous job, you probably have employees who are at risk of getting hurt at work. For example, you may work as a cashier at a grocery store. But you also work with a lot of people who work in the stockroom or warehouse. You see them spend their days picking up heavy boxes or totes. They spend hours bending over time and time again stocking the shelves.

You may be familiar with the types of accidents employees suffer on the job. Some of these include:

  • Slip and fall accidents – Many workers slip and fall on wet floors or other unsafe conditions. This can cause back or neck injuries. It can also lead to broken ankles, cuts, and possible sprains.
  • Repeatedly lifting heavy objects – Whether you’re a warehouse worker or some other type of employee, if you are constantly lifting heavy objects, you can suffer serious back injuries.
  • Truck drivers may get into an automobile accident – Given the amount of time they spend on the road, it should be no surprise that truck drivers are sometimes injured in car accidents. These accidents can cause a host of serious injuries.
  • Plumbers, electricians and other tradespeople – People who work in these positions often suffer knee and back injuries. They spend so much of their time in dangerous situations, it’s easy for them to get hurt.
  • Oil and gas explosions – Anybody who works in the oil and gas industry is at risk every time they go to work. Even if these explosions and other catastrophes don’t happen all that often, they are devastating when they do. Many workers involved in these types of accidents don’t survive.

We could go with more examples of dangerous workplace accidents. The point is that it doesn’t matter who you are or what you do for a living – you may need workers compensation benefits at some point in your life. And, when you do, you should call and talk to one of our experienced Georgia workers compensation attorneys.

Reach Out to an Experienced Georgia Injury Lawyer

If you or your spouse have been hurt in a workplace accident, you should call our office right away. You can schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled Georgia injury attorneys. They can answer any questions you may have. They can also give you an idea of what kind of benefits you can receive under workers compensation.

Call today and talk to one of our staff. They’ll find a date and time that works for you. If you’re working hard to recover from your workplace injuries, you shouldn’t have to worry about the red tape of workers comp in Georgia.