Nurses can be at a higher risk of getting hurt at work compared to many other jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2019, around 522,700 healthcare and social assistance workers, including nurses, had injuries or illnesses that made them miss work.
Here are three common injuries that nurses experience:
1. Musculoskeletal Injuries:
- Nurses can strain or sprain their backs from lifting and moving patients.
- They may feel pain in their neck and shoulders from standing for a long time, bending, and doing repetitive tasks.
- Awkward positions and doing the same motions over and over can lead to joint injuries like knee or hip problems.
2. Needlestick Injuries:
- Accidentally getting pricked by a needle can expose nurses to diseases like HIV or hepatitis.
- Injuries like these can happen when nurses aren't trained well or when needles aren't disposed of properly or have safety problems.
- Needlestick injuries can cause long-term health issues and make nurses feel very stressed.
3. Workplace Violence:
- Nurses often face physical and verbal abuse from patients, visitors, or even coworkers.
- Violent incidents can cause injuries like fractures, bruises, or head trauma.
- Nurses can also suffer from emotional trauma, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
If a nurse experiences any of these situations, it may be a good idea to contact a qualified personal injury lawyer who specializes in workplace injuries. Here are some circumstances when it's important to reach out to a lawyer:
- Serious or Long-Term Injuries: If a nurse gets seriously hurt and needs a lot of medical treatment, surgery, or ends up with a disability, talking to a personal injury lawyer is a good step. They can help figure out if there's a legal claim and seek fair compensation.
- Workplace Negligence: If the injury happened because the workplace didn't have enough staff, didn't follow safety rules, or didn't fix known dangers, it's worth consulting a personal injury lawyer. They can investigate what happened and see if there are grounds for a negligence claim.
- Third-Party Liability: If someone else caused the injury, like a faulty medical device or a non-employee acting violently, it's important to talk to a personal injury lawyer. They can help identify responsible parties beyond the employer and pursue compensation through a lawsuit.
At Mennie Heizler, LLC, we have experience representing nurses who have been hurt at work. It's important to contact us because:
- We can explain the legal rights and options available to injured nurses, like workers' compensation or negligence claims.
- We can help nurses get fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by their injuries.
- Personal injury cases involve a lot of complicated paperwork and negotiations with insurance companies. We can guide nurses through these processes and handle the legal side.
- As a personal injury lawyer, we will be on the nurse's side, protecting their rights and making sure their voice is heard during the legal process.
- There are deadlines for filing personal injury claims, so it's important to consult an attorney quickly to avoid missing the time limit and having the case dismissed.
If you or a loved one is currently recovering from serious injuries after a workplace injury, it is in your best interest to discuss the incident with a reliable personal injury lawyer. At Mennie Heizler, LLC, our personal injury lawyers prioritize client care, compassion and communication. You can count on us to take the best strategy and work tirelessly for your quality of life. Call our team today at (732) 481-9100 to see how we can begin helping you.