Worker’s Comp Claims for Nurses and other Health Care Workers
Stop and think for a moment of the last interaction you had with a nurse. They go above and beyond; follow complex procedures and protocols; handle emergencies; and deal with challenging situations. They do all of this while exposing themselves to chemicals, waste, drugs, and germs.
Nursing is not only an accident-prone occupation, it has a higher rate of injury than construction and law enforcement. To top it off, the health care industry is one of the fastest growing right now due to the aging of baby boomers. So, there will be more patients and realistically more injured nurses.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, sprains and strains are the number one type of injury that happens to nurses, and they are the most frequently reported.
Here’s a list of other top injuries that nurses deal with:
Back injuries
Shoulder injuries
Torn rotator cuffs
Joint injuries
Herniated discs
Carpal tunnel and other conditions from repetitive motion over time
Injuries can happen from one specific incident, or they can develop over time.
What Causes These Injuries
Nurses frequently get injured from lifting, pulling, and pushing patients to reposition them or transfer them to another bed. Due to the lack of staff in hospitals and other health facilities, nurses generally do this lifting by themselves.
With the evolution of technology there’s more heavy machinery to be moved around and more cords from the machines to trip over.
With more patients to see and more understaffed facilities, challenging tasks are delegated to our trusted nurses by other healthcare workers.
The uptick in emergency room cases, over-scheduled operating rooms, and the increased amount of urgent care centers, have also caused nurses to be worn thin and pulled in numerous directions to help others.
Sadly, some nurses shy away from reporting injuries and filing claims with Worker’s Comp. They are afraid of losing their jobs, or not being hired with an injury and time off from work on their record, as well as any work limitations the accident might have caused.
If you’re a nurse and get injured at work the first thing you should do is speak with an attorney experienced with Worker’s Comp cases.
How Jim and Steve Brady & Associates Can Help
Jim Brady of Attorneys Jim and Steve Brady & Associates in Walpole, MA has been representing nurses in Worker’s Comp cases over the course of his 38 year career.
Years ago, one of the most common Worker’s Comp claims suffered by nurses had to do with latex glove allergies. Jim handled numerous latex cases, resulting in a significant decrease in the use of powdered latex gloves in hospitals in Massachusetts and across the country. Jim has lectured nationally on this subject and the use of latex gloves is now a minor issue compared to other accidents that can happen on the job.
Jim’s advocacy for health care workers’ safety has resulted in hospitals purchasing more Hoyer lifts to decrease the frequency of injuries sustained from moving and lifting patients. But there is more work to be done. OSHA says nurses in the US suffer annually from roughly 35,000 injuries that are serious enough for them to need time off. They also state that hospitals are one of the most dangerous places to work in the U.S.
Jim continues to represent numerous nurses and has been recognized by the Massachusetts Nurses Association and has been awarded the Advocate of the Year Award in the past.
If you or someone you love and care about is a nurse or health care worker who has been injured at work, reach out to Attorneys Jim and Steve Brady & Associates today to find out how Jim and his team can help and support you.
Contact us at 508-660-8888 or visit our website at: www.bradylaw1.com
