Common Workers’ Compensation Claims

Regardless of size or industry, your business must understand the risks and perils that may affect your employees. As an employer, you bear some responsibility for the health, safety and wellness of your workers. As such, it’s essential to be diligent and thorough in understanding the incidents that could leave them injured or cause work-related illnesses.

Workers’ compensation insurance is an essential component of any employer’s insurance portfolio and is even legally required in many cases. This type of coverage can provide crucial financial assistance in the wake of a workplace incident; however, the best way to keep your employees safe is by preventing injuries and illnesses in the first place.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Workers’ Compensation Claims?

Many types of injuries and illnesses can happen in even the safest workplaces. By taking time to understand frequent sources of workers’ compensation claims, your business may be better equipped to prevent such occurrences. Consider how your business might be able to minimize risks involving the following common sources of claims:

• Sprains and strains—Sprains occur when ligaments are torn or stretched excessively; strains are caused by tearing or extreme stretching of muscles and tendons. Falls, improper lifting techniques and poor ergonomics can often cause these injuries.

• Fractures—Broken bones can vary significantly in terms of severity, but all fractures can be debilitating injuries that may force employees to miss work for an extended period of time. These injuries can occur in all workplaces but are generally most common in those involving manual labor or exposure to heavy equipment and machinery.

• Contusions—These injuries include bruises or marks caused by blood vessels rupturing beneath the skin. Contusions are often caused by employees dropping or colliding with objects.

• Lacerations—Cuts and puncture wounds are serious injuries and can be fatal. These incidents can happen in any workplace but are most common in those that regularly utilize sharp objects, such as restaurants, manufacturing sites and machine shops.

• Overuse/repetitive stress injuries—These conditions do not occur from a single incident but rather over an extended period due to repeated physical strain, such as excessive stretching, twisting, pulling or bending.

Protect Your Workers

The agents at James L. Smith Insurance are well-equipped with the knowledge and experience to help businesses in the Pittsburgh area keep their employees healthy and well. Contact us today for additional workplace safety guidance or to discuss optimal workers’ compensation insurance solutions.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.