Types Of Workplace Accidents

Types Of Workplace Accidents

Workplace accidents seem like they come out of nowhere, but that’s not always the case. There are steps that employers, employees and others can take to reduce the risk of workplace injuries and minimize their damage when they do occur. Nonetheless, people are frequently injured on worksites throughout Wisconsin, leaving injured workers unsure of their rights and facing an uncertain future.

At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we have extensive experience helping injured workers in Wisconsin navigate the workers’ compensation process. You can rely on us to aggressively pursue the benefits you are entitled to while making sure you have the care and support you need every step of the way. We have offices throughout Wisconsin, including Hudson, Rice Lake, Eau Claire, Superior, New Richmond and Wausau.

Catastrophic Workplace Injuries

Catastrophic Workplace Injuries

Brain injuries and spinal cord injuries can end life as you know it. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury or spinal injury at work it is important to have an attorney on your side with workers’ compensation and personal injury experience to maximize your resources.

Injuries such as paralysis, skull fractures and cranial bleeding can leave a person not only unable to return to work, but also faced with a lifetime of expensive medical procedures, in-home care and other costs. A workers’ compensation claim can provide coverage for accident-related medical costs and lost wages, while a personal injury claim against a responsible third party can provide additional compensation for your pain and suffering.

Eye Injuries And Damaged Eyesight

Eye Injuries And Damaged Eyesight

Temporary blindness is one type of vision loss that can be experienced in the workplace and should not be taken lightly. It could be a one-time thing but could also be the tip of the iceberg, foreshadowing a far more serious vision issue to come. Temporary blindness often occurs after an accident such as a fall or a traumatic brain injury suffered in a car accident. It’s crucial to get a full examination anytime you are suffering from temporary blindness or any loss of vision.

Permanent blindness is a devastating diagnosis that can be compounded by the emotional damage that often follows such a shocking loss of faculties. If you suffer from permanent blindness it’s important to pursue all available benefits and compensation, including personal injury compensation from a third party to cover costs such as guide dog expenses, rehabilitation and lost future wages.

How Can You Avoid Loss Of Eyesight In The Workplace?

Protecting your eyes is crucial whether you are working with sharp objects, heavy machinery, flames, chemicals or less daunting equipment like computer screens. Safety glasses or goggles can be worn to protect your eyes from objects and chemicals. If you spend significant time looking at a computer screen, you can avoid eye fatigue by taking frequent breaks or using eye drops to maintain moisture in your eyes.

Severed Limbs And Missing Limbs

How Can You Avoid Severed Limbs Or Digits In The Workplace

The loss of a limb or digit has ramifications far beyond limiting your ability to work; you will be left with the emotional damage and collateral damage for the rest of your life. Severed limbs or lost digits in the workplace are often the result of inadequate safety procedures or equipment, such as blade guards on saws. They can also occur as a result of falls from heights or crush injuries from falling objects.

How Can You Avoid Severed Limbs Or Digits In The Workplace?

It is important to use all safety equipment as designed when working with sharp objects such as saw blades or heavy objects that can result in crush injuries. Failure to follow safety procedures or tampering with safety equipment such as blade guards can result in catastrophic amputation injuries.

Pressuring employees to forego safety procedures or remove safety equipment in order to increase productivity is unlawful and should be reported. Increasing production is never worth the life or limb of a worker.

Workplace Burn Injuries

Workplace Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are terrible; there’s no way around it. They often inflict severe pain at the time of the accident as well as during the recovery process. The physical disfigurement and psychological damage from burn injuries can last for a lifetime, while it only takes one nanosecond for an accident involving fire, chemicals or boiling water to occur.

Due to the immense ongoing costs associated with burn injuries and the recovery process, it’s important to make sure all potential sources of compensation are explored. This includes pursuing a personal injury claim against a third party in order to collect compensation for pain and suffering.

How Can You Avoid Burns In The Workplace?

Making sure that all employees have workplace safety training is a good first step, along with making sure that protective wear, eye protection and fire extinguishers are available throughout the worksite. When working with chemicals that can cause burns or operating on boiler systems, workers who are unessential to the task at hand should keep a safe distance.

Shoulder And Arm Injuries

Among the most common work-related injuries, shoulder and arm injuries often occur as a result of wear and tear over time. Repetitive motion injuries such as torn rotator cuffs can leave workers unable to perform the functions of their job and have ramifications in their day-to-day life. If the cumulative effects of your work have left you with shoulder or arm injuries, an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you explore your options for obtaining medical and wage loss benefits.

Hearing Loss From Workplace Accidents

Hearing Loss From Workplace Accidents

Songs of local birds, the laugh of a child, and the sound of your favorite tunes can all be lost as a result of a workplace accident. That price is too steep to pay in exchange for making a living. If you or a loved one has suffered hearing damage in the workplace, an experienced work injury lawyer can help you pursue your legal options, including a workers’ compensation or third party personal injury claim.

Our veterans have unfortunately been exposed to hearing damage as a result of being issued defective ear plugs. If you are experiencing hearing loss after serving our country, learn more about your legal options.

How Can You Avoid Hearing Loss In The Workplace?

The use of ear plugs, ear muffs, noise cancelling headphones and other ear protection is important when operating heavy machinery, working near noisy equipment or simply working anywhere that experience high decibels.

How Can You Avoid Breaking A Bone In The Workplace?

Broken bones can happen for any number of reasons, including freak accidents like tripping over one’s own two feet. While some accidents are unavoidable, there are steps employers and employees alike can take to reduce the risk of broken bones and compression fractures in the workplace. Hazards including tripping hazards and falling hazards should be clearly marked; shelving should be secured firmly to walls, and all safety procedures must be followed according to OSHA standards.

Proven Representation For Workplace Accident Victims

You should not be left to bear the burden of a workplace accident on your own. We will be the advocate you need to overcome the insurance company obfuscation and get the compensation you deserve. Call us toll-free 1-855-NICOLET or contact us online to arrange your free consultation. We won’t collect any fees from you until we collect workers’ compensation benefits for you.