Work-related injuries are common across various industries, particularly in high-risk fields like construction, manufacturing, and healthcare. New Jersey’s workers’ compensation laws offer essential protection to employees who suffer on-the-job injuries, ensuring they receive medical treatment and compensation for lost wages.
Common Types of Work-Related Injuries
Understanding the types of work-related injuries that frequently occur can help workers stay informed about their rights. Here are the 10 most common workplace injuries in New Jersey and how they are addressed by workers’ compensation laws.
1. Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips and trips often occur due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, or cluttered workspaces. Construction workers are particularly vulnerable, with falls being one of the deadliest and most common workplace injuries in the industry. Workers in New Jersey can seek compensation for these types of injuries, which includes coverage for medical treatment, partial wage replacement and in some cases an award of compensation for any permanent injury.
2. Falls from Heights
Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or roofs are a significant risk for construction workers. These accidents can cause serious injuries in the workplace, such as broken bones, head trauma, or even death. Workers’ compensation in New Jersey covers medical expenses and lost wages and in some cases an award of compensation for any permanent injury. Employers are required to follow OSHA safety standards to help prevent these incidents.
3. Repetitive Motion Injuries
Workers performing repetitive tasks like typing, lifting, or operating machinery are at risk of repetitive motion injuries. These can include conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis, which are common types of work-related injuries in manufacturing and healthcare jobs. Workers can seek compensation for medical care and lost wages if such injuries prevent them from performing their duties and in some cases an award of compensation for any permanent injury.
4. Equipment Entanglement
Employees working with heavy machinery in industries like manufacturing or construction face the risk of entanglement, where clothing or limbs get caught in equipment. These accidents in the workplace can result in amputations, severe lacerations, or fractures.
5. Struck by Objects
Falling tools, equipment, or debris can cause significant injuries, such as concussions or broken bones, especially in construction and manufacturing environments. If struck by an object at work, New Jersey employees can receive compensation for their injuries through the state’s workers’ compensation system.
6. Overexertion
Overexertion injuries occur when workers lift, push, or pull heavy objects, leading to muscle strains, back injuries, or hernias. Healthcare workers are particularly prone to these injuries from lifting patients. Workers’ compensation provides benefits to those who suffer overexertion injuries, including medical care and partial wage replacement.
7. Burns
Burn injuries can result from exposure to chemicals, electrical sources, or extreme heat, which are common types of workplace injuries in construction, manufacturing, and food service industries. Workers’ compensation in New Jersey covers treatment for burn injuries, including surgeries and long-term rehabilitation.
8. Vehicle Crashes
Workers who drive as part of their job, such as delivery drivers or construction equipment operators, face the risk of vehicle crashes, which can lead to serious injuries like whiplash, fractures, or internal injuries.
9. Cuts and Lacerations
Sharp tools, machinery, or broken glass can lead to cuts and lacerations. Severe cuts may require surgery or lead to infection. Workers’ compensation in New Jersey ensures employees receive the necessary medical care and compensation while recovering from these injuries.
10. Workplace Violence
Healthcare workers, retail employees, and law enforcement officers are at increased risk of experiencing violence on the job. Workplace violence can cause both physical and psychological injuries. New Jersey workers are entitled to compensation for any injuries sustained due to violence in the workplace, including coverage for mental health treatment.
Workers’ Compensation Laws in New Jersey
New Jersey’s workers’ compensation laws provide comprehensive coverage for employees injured on the job, offering medical treatment and wage replacement regardless of who is at fault and in some cases an award of compensation for any permanent injury. While these are the most common workplace injuries, any injury suffered on the job entitles the injured employee to coverage for medical treatment, wage replacement, and in some cases an award of compensation for any permanent injury. Employees injured on the job should report their injuries to their employer as soon as possible and contact an experienced Workers’ Compensation attorney to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.
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