It may come as a surprise, but people who work in the education and healthcare service industries are still susceptible to on-the-job injuries. Sure, they might not be at as much of a risk for fatal or non-fatal injuries compared to those sustained by people in construction and manufacturing, but injuries can happen anywhere.
If you or someone you love works in education or health care services, it's valuable to understand how these injuries can arise and how to receive compensation if they do.
Education and healthcare service workers hold some of the most important jobs in the state of Pennsylvania. Nurses, hospital transportation specialists, EMTs, teachers, administrators and school security officers are just a few examples of the vital role these workers play in society. These jobs can be physically demanding and involve working around others, which creates the potential for harmful injuries to occur.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are more than 18 million workers in the healthcare sector in the United States. The CDC reports that non-fatal occupational injuries and illness are higher among workers in the healthcare field than among workers in any other industry sector.
Fatigue: Nurses, doctors and other healthcare service workers are constantly on their feet, which puts them at risk for a variety of injuries such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), strains, back injuries and fatigue from moving for long periods of time. The stress of treating patients with life-threatening injuries or illnesses can also cause stress and anxiety.
Slips/Falls: If water or other forms of liquid are left unattended on the floor without warning, a nurse or doctor could easily slip and fall, which would also lead to a variety of injuries. Workers have the potential to suffer a concussion if their head were to make contact with the floor. In addition, shoulder dislocations, broken arms and wrist fractures are common with falls.
Violence: Often times, patients or the family members of patients aren't happy with their medical situations or diagnosis. In extreme cases, this could lead to violence against the nurse or doctor if a patient is unsatisfied with their treatment. But it doesn't end there. There are healthcare service workers who aid the police when a suspect suffers an injury while being arrested. These people could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol - or just violent criminals - that makes them highly dangerous to treat.
Per InjuryPrevention.com, there are approximately 12.6 million workers in the education industry with 7.5 million employed in primary and secondary schools. Workplace violence in education is an increasing concern as data from the National Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates it's the fifth-highest industry susceptible to non-fatal violence.
Violence: Teachers and school administrators are exposed to assaults (punched, kicked, beaten, shoved) from unruly students and the parents of such students, some of whom could be diagnosed with mental health or behavioral health disorders. Also, they are often tasked with breaking up fights.
Overexertion: Many teachers are required to stand on their feet for long periods of time - even all day. This can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and fatigue. With many schools across the country understaffed, teachers are frequently given a high workload without breaks throughout the day.
Physical activity: Physical education instructors (gym teachers) can suffer injuries just from their everyday responsibilities in teaching sports, leading workouts and overseeing drills. For example, a teacher instructing a class proper weightlifting techniques could suffer an injury from old and faulty equipment. Broken bones, sprains and strains are also common.
If you or someone you love has significantly injured themselves in the healthcare services or education industries, the team at Dugan & Associates is ready to look at your case. Our team of experienced workplace injury lawyers will make sure you receive the maximum monetary compensation available to you. Give us a call at 412-353-3572 or contact us online today for your free consultation.
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