What Are The Most Common Hospital Accidents?

Healthcare workers are at risk of various injuries and illnesses while they take care of other injured and ill people. Statistically, hospitals are some of the most hazardous workplaces in the US. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), hospitals have a higher rate of injuries requiring days away from work than construction, manufacturing, and private industry as a whole.

When accidents happen and healthcare workers get injured, they deserve to be taken care of in the same way that they take care of others. Workplace injuries serious enough to result in days missed from work often require extensive medical care. These workers need to be compensated for their lost income, medical expenses, and other expenses related to their injuries.

How Can Injured Hospital Workers Be Compensated?

Like virtually all other employees in Pennsylvania, injured healthcare workers are entitled to benefits through Workers' Compensation. If your claim is accepted, you can expect to receive compensation for medical expenses and about 2/3 of your lost wages.

If your injury is severe enough to keep you from working for 12 months or more, you may also qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. You may receive these benefits in addition to Workers' Compensation, but your payments may be adjusted if you're receiving both forms of compensation.

In cases where an accident was caused by the negligence of a third party, injured hospital workers may have the option to file a personal injury claim. This can help to account for expenses not covered under WC and SSDI, such as pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and emotional distress.

Common Hospital Accidents Resulting In Injuries

Hospitals are hectic and intense working environments, rife with potential hazards which could lead to accidents and injuries. We've helped injured nurses, doctors, physician assistants, and all other healthcare workers recover compensation after being injured in such accidents as:

• Contact with infectious agents and diseases
• Repetitive motion injuries from frequently lifting and transporting patients
• Victims of assault by violent patients
• Lacerations from sharp medical tools
• Slips and falls on slippery floors

These are just a few examples of common hospital accidents which require financial compensation. Our dedicated work injury lawyers are prepared to assist hospital workers who have been injured in all types of workplace accidents.

Do Injured Hospital Employees Need Lawyers?

In many cases, having experienced legal counsel by your side can help to simplify the process of claiming benefits. While all workers are entitled to file claims after being injured on the job, it's fairly common for claims to be disputed by employers and denied by insurance companies. The Workers' Comp board has strict guidelines for submitting claims, and even small mistakes could result in denied coverage.

Lawyers who specialize in work injuries know how to satisfy these requirements so that injured workers receive their benefits in a timely manner. They're also familiar with the ways insurance companies find reasons to deny claims and know how to respond to these attempts.

While you're free to file a claim for Workers' Comp or Social Security Disability on your own, most workers don't have the time or resources to handle the attempts at obstruction and a long appeals process if their claim is denied. Receiving compensation quickly means a faster recovery and less time missed from work.

Additionally, a lawyer can help you to identify possible negligent third parties who could be held liable for causing the accident and your injuries. These personal injury claims are often necessary for providing adequate compensation for serious injuries.

Related Reading

• Workers' Compensation guide
• What injured healthcare workers should know about benefits
• Available compensation options for injured nurses