While accidents can happen anywhere, some places are more accident-prone than others. We often think that most workplace accidents happen in places like construction sites or restaurants, but it may surprise you that the top three industries with the highest workers’ compensation claims are, in fact, in entirely different occupations.

Even with the greatest risk prevention, these workplaces are high risk for a variety of reasons, but they all share one thing in common: every worker has the right to a safe workplace, and the right to be compensated through workers’ compensation should they find themselves harmed in the course of their duties. Today, we’ll investigate the three industries with the highest workers’ compensation claims, according to the Insurance Information Institute, and then consider how those harmed in these professions – or any other occupation – can receive compensation for their injuries.

Nursing 

In the top ten industries for workers’ compensation claims, three of those relate to nursing: nursing assistants, registered nurses, and licensed practical or vocational nurses. It’s clear that those charged with caring for the sick and vulnerable are at high risk for a variety of injuries. 

Nurses and nursing assistants work in hectic environments, sometimes with combative patients. They may suffer sprains and strains as a result of lifting heavy patients or equipment, or they may trip and fall on their way from one medical emergency to the next. In a more dramatic example, nurses or nursing assistants may contract diseases that could have been prevented with appropriate precautionary measures, such as personal protective equipment and better protocols for assisting infectious individuals.

Some nurses may travel as part of their duties, whether that is to a patient’s home or between facilities, and therefore they are also at risk of vehicular accidents while performing their duties.

Freight, stock, and material moving

Freight, stock, and material moving employees are those that help to move items; this includes individuals who load trucks for transport, as well as those who perform commercial or residential moving jobs. 

Sprains, strains, and fractures are common when working with heavy loads, especially if the worker is moving large items by hand. They may also suffer fractures from materials falling and crushing their hand or foot. Some individuals experience repetitive stress injuries from lifting and transporting weighty objects for hours at a time.

Transportation

In transportation, truck drivers often get into accidents, especially if they are trying to deliver loads on a tight schedule and with little time for rest. Drowsiness, road congestion, dangerous routes, and poor weather conditions can all cause major accidents, which can be fatal for the truck driver or for those they hit. Truck drivers often must tackle steep grades in an enormous vehicle, which can cause brake failures that could result in catastrophic accidents if they are not able to stop. They may also be injured while attempting to repair a broken-down vehicle, especially if there is intense pressure to get back on the road as soon as possible.

Almost every worker is eligible for workers’ compensation – and should fight to get what they deserve

In most jurisdictions, companies are required by law to have a workers’ compensation fund, which can be used to pay for any medical treatments their employees may need after a workplace accident. Workers’ compensation can also pay for lost or reduced wages, and it often provides provisions that require an employer to provide alternative or light duties until the employee is medically cleared to return to their original responsibilities. 

Employees are not responsible for maintaining this fund, and they can submit a claim for any medically documented injury that occurred as a direct result of their obligations to their employer. For example, someone who was hurt in a car accident while driving between work sites can apply for workers’ compensation to offset the cost of any treatments they may require.

However, employers and their insurers will often fight workers’ compensation claims, which is why it’s essential that those harmed on the job contact a qualified personal injury lawyer with experience in workers’ compensation claims. A lawyer can guide you through the process of submitting workers’ compensation and ensure that you are given a fair settlement that will cover all your medical expenses. They will also negotiate with the relevant agencies on your behalf so that you can focus on caring for yourself and getting back to normal as soon as possible.

If you’ve been injured in the course of your duties, whether in these three risky industries or any other, it’s essential that you understand your right to compensation and get in touch with an expert personal injury attorney as soon as possible.