Harrisburg Healthcare Worker Injury Lawyer
Everyone relies on healthcare workers such as doctors and nurses to keep them healthy and support them when they become ill or injured. Unfortunately, while healthcare workers are busy taking care of everyone else, they are also at high risk of suffering injuries in the workplace. In fact, healthcare workers are at greater risk of suffering a serious injury on the job than coal miners and other workers in very dangerous occupations. If you are a healthcare worker that has been hurt, you have legal options. Our Harrisburg healthcare worker injury lawyer explains what these are below.
Common Healthcare Worker Injuries
Healthcare workers are at such high risk for workplace injuries for many different reasons. These are as follows:
- Occupational illnesses from exposure to contagious diseases or toxins
- Overexertion injuries from helping heavier patients to the bathroom or from lifting heavy patients from beds to gurneys
- Injuries from patient violence
- Repetitive stress injuries from working long hours
- Injuries to hips, knees, and ankles from being on their feet for long hours
- Injuries from working with and around dangerous equipment such as radiation equipment and needles
How Much are Healthcare Workers’ Compensation Claims?
For healthcare workers between the ages of 25 and 34 years old, the average workers’ compensation claim is valued at approximately $3,000. However, when a healthcare worker is over the age of 65 years old, the value of a claim can be more than $11,000. The most expensive injuries sustained by healthcare workers are those caused by slips, trips, and falls. When these accidents happen on a dry, level surface, the average claim is worth approximately $9,000.
When a healthcare worker falls from a height, such as when the fall happens on a stairway, the average workers’ compensation claim is worth over $10,500. Slip and falls accidents can result in head trauma, fractures, and damage to the nerves and ligaments. These accidents result in healthcare workers missing on average, ten days from work.
Employers Should Protect Healthcare Workers
Working in the healthcare industry is fast-paced, stressful, and dangerous. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers are often employees of the hospital or medical facility and as such, they deserve protection just like other workers in the state. Some medical facilities, however, misclassify workers to avoid paying workers’ compensation when people are hurt. Healthcare workers also sometimes do not realize that they are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. After any injury sustained on the job, it is critical to speak to a workers’ compensation lawyer who can advise on your case.
Our Healthcare Worker Injury Lawyer in Harrisburg Can Help You Through the Process
If you are a healthcare worker and have been injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. At Ira H. Weinstock, P.C., our Harrisburg healthcare worker injury and workers’ comp lawyer can help you obtain the full benefits you need to make a full recovery. Call us now at 717-238-1657 or contact us online to request a review of your case and to learn more about your legal options.