• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Murphy Law Firm – Montana

Murphy Law Firm - Montana

  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Personal Injury
    • Wrongful Death
    • Motor Vehicle Accidents
    • Workplace Injury
    • Social Security Disability
    • Disability Discrimination
  • Case Results
  • Testimonials
  • Resources
    • Accident & Injury Guide
    • Blog
  • Contact
(406) 452-2345
Free Consultation English  Spanish

Top 5 Most Common Workplace Injuries

Personal Injury Attorneys (Home) / Blog / Workplace Accidents & Workers' Compensation / Top 5 Most Common Workplace Injuries

June 9, 2022

workplace fatalities and injuries

Workplace injuries include everything from muscle strains and sprains to severe chemical burns and lacerations. The majority of work-related accidents are preventable when employers are committed to a safe working environment in which workers are provided with proper safety training and equipment.

Unfortunately, accidents still happen due to negligence, and they can leave a person with serious injuries that require expensive medical care and threaten their ability to return to work or maintain their current standard of living. Some work injuries can even lead to fatalities, especially when they involve vehicles or heavy equipment.

Work-injury statistics

Even though the number of workplace injuries over the years has ebbed and flowed, the number of people who require workers’ compensation benefits while they recover from their injuries remains quite high.

In fact, according to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2.7 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported in the U.S in 2020. That’s a 5.7 percent decrease compared to the 2.8 million cases reported in 2019.

While this lower number is encouraging, it still doesn’t represent a significant decrease, considering that many workers went remote that year.

Now that more people are returning to in-person work, it’s worth exploring the most common workplace injuries that occur across all industries and what you should do if a work injury happens to you or a loved one.

Slip-and-fall accidents

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), slips, trips and falls remain the leading cause of workplace accidents, accounting for 27 percent of the nonfatal workplace injuries reported in 2019.

Many fall-related injuries result from preventable accidents that occur when an employee attempts to walk across a wet floor or in dimly lit areas. Cluttered workspaces can also contribute to accidents that lead to health conditions such as traumatic brain injuries as well as fractures.

Being struck by heavy objects

People who work in the construction, mining and manufacturing industries are the most likely to be struck by a heavy or fast-moving object at work. However, workers in many different environments are at risk of these types of injuries. Even a school teacher could accidentally be struck by an object that is thrown by a student during recess.

Being struck by a heavy object can lead to injuries such as severe bruises, bleeding, brain damage and lacerations depending upon where and how the person gets hit.

Repetitive stress injuries

Carpal tunnel syndrome tends to come to mind when someone mentions repetitive stress injuries, but there are other forms that affect workers. For example, someone in the construction and manufacturing industries might develop tendonitis in their arms or legs from repeatedly doing the same motions all day.

Repetitive stress injuries may be mild enough for an employee to recover within a relatively short time frame, but they can also lead to nerve damage that lasts a lifetime.

Sprains and strains from heavy lifting

Back injuries frequently lead to workers’ compensation claims, and you could also experience severe strains in your neck, shoulders and arms that impact your ability to continue working in the same position.

Following the proper protocols for lifting heavy objects and using supportive equipment and teamwork are helpful tips for preventing this type of injury. Even with these steps in place, however, workers who are frequently required to carry and lift heavy objects can still suffer from injuries and chronic pain that affects their ability to perform their work duties over time.

Motor vehicle crashes

Sadly, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of workplace fatalities, with 1778 fatal cases being reported in 2020. These accidents include vehicles used in industries such as construction, transportation and delivery services. While the number of fatal occupational accidents is currently lower than it was a few years ago, there is still work to be done to reduce that rate even further.

If you’ve lost a loved one due to an accident at work, death benefits, including compensation for funeral expenses, loss of future wages, and other damages, are available. An experienced workers’ comp lawyer can talk to you about your rights under Montana law.

When to contact a Montana workers’ comp attorney

Although millions of people are injured at work each year, it’s common to feel alone when you experience a work-related injury of your own. Healing physically and emotionally from your injury is expensive and takes time. The unfortunate truth is that some people may never experience a full recovery.

If you get hurt on the job, you have the right to compensation, but you have to abide by certain procedures and there are time limits on how long you have to file a claim. That’s why it’s always best to consult with an experienced workers’ comp attorney to ensure your rights are protected.

At Murphy Law Firm, our dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys have more than 75 years of combined experience helping injured workers in Montana get the compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation of your case.

Related Resources

  • Severe Burn Injuries from <br>Montana Car Accidents
    Severe Burn Injuries from Montana Car Accidents
  • Automated Vehicles and the Future of Auto Torts
    Automated Vehicles and the Future of Auto Torts
  • Workers’ Compensation for Injured Utility Workers in Montana
    Workers’ Compensation for Injured Utility Workers in Montana

Primary Sidebar

Archives

Categories

  • Car Accidents
  • Community Updates
  • Construction Accidents
  • Firm News
  • Personal Injury
  • Social Security Disability
  • Workplace Accidents & Workers' Compensation

Footer

Back to top

Membership badges

Membership badges

Murphy Law Office
Murphy Law Firm
Montana Workers' Compensation, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death and Social Security Disability Lawyers

619 2nd Ave S
Great Falls, MT 59405
8:30am to 5:00pm (M-F)

(406) 452-2345
Map & directions

FacebookOpens a new window YelpOpens a new window LinkedinOpens a new window YoutubeOpens a new window
Murphy Law Firm: Montana Enjuris Partner Attorney

Free Consultation

    Please be advised that contacting us through use of this website DOES NOT establish any form of attorney-client relationship, and Murphy Law Firm is not representing you, or pursuing your claim in any manner, until we are formally retained.

    Copyright © 2023 · *Disclaimer: the information provided by this website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice or a substitute for competent legal counsel.

    Lawyer Marketing & Web Design by SEO Advantage, Inc.Opens a new window

    English Spanish