According to U.S. News & World Report, there are 374 nursing homes in Wisconsin. And most nursing homes employ dozens of certified nursing assistants (CNAs).
CNAs have physically demanding jobs. In a single shift, these workers may be required to bathe, dress, and lift patients, assist patients in using bedpans, put patients to bed, change bedding, and many other tasks. Additionally, their entire shifts are spent on their feet, constantly moving around.
Considering all CNAs have to do, it’s no wonder that they are prone to suffering injuries on the job. In fact, CNAs suffer three times more injuries than the average worker. The rate at which CNAs suffer injuries is similar to the rate at which construction workers, police officers, and firefighters suffer on-the-job injuries.
According to the occupational safety and health magazine EHS, 60 percent of nursing assistants suffer occupational injuries. What type of injuries are commonly suffered by these workers?
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Wrist injuries
- Knee injuries
- Muscle strains
- Bite injuries
- Cuts and skin breaks
These injuries may be the result of lifting patients or heavy equipment, being cut by sharp objects, being stuck by needles or assaults by aggressive patients, and other incidents.
It is important for CNAs to be aware of their options after suffering an on-the-job injury. In Wisconsin, employers have an obligation to provide workers’ compensation coverage for employees. However, the process for obtaining those benefits can be difficult. There are certain steps employees need to take to effectively seek workers’ comp benefits. Employees should consider working with a workers’ compensation lawyer throughout this process.
Further reading: Find out more about the Wisconsin workers’ compensation process.