Common Workplace Injuries in Virginia

Workplace injuries can happen in any job, from construction sites to hospitals, offices, and retail stores. While some injuries are relatively minor, others can lead to long-term medical issues, lost income, and even permanent disability. For workers in the Commonwealth of Virginia, understanding your rights when it comes to workplace injuries is critical to making sure that you get the compensation that you deserve.

There are many different types of injuries that can occur in a Virginia workplace or job site. Some of the most common workplace injuries include overexertion, falls, and exposure to harmful substances. If you have been hurt at work, our Virginia workers’ compensation attorneys can help you get the benefits that you are entitled to under the law.

At Poole, Brooke, Plumlee, we offer skilled legal representation to clients throughout Virginia who have been injured or developed occupational illnesses. We will work tirelessly to get you the full benefits that you deserve for your medical treatment, lost wages, and more. Contact our law firm today to schedule a compensation with a member of our legal team.

Ten Most Common Workplace Injuries in Virginia

According to the National Safety Council, some of the most frequent workplace injuries across the nation include things like exposure to harmful substances, overexertion, and falls. Here in Virginia, many of these same injuries are common. Our law firm regularly represents clients who have suffered these and other types of workplace injuries.

Not every workplace injury is preventable. However, it is important to know that you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in Virginia without having to prove that your employer did something wrong. Our team can help you file a claim, negotiate a settlement, or take the case to a hearing to get you the benefits that you deserve.

Overexertion

Overexertion injuries are one of the most common workplace injuries in Virginia. These injuries occur from excessive physical effort, such as lifting, pushing, turning, holding, carrying, or throwing. People with overexertion injuries often have back, shoulder, or arm pain. 

These types of injuries might not be covered if you cannot identify a specific incident. For example, if you have a herniated disc, you have to be able to prove that it isn’t just the result of normal wear and tear on your body as you age. Our Virginia workers’ compensation lawyers can help you if your employer disputes that your overexertion injury is work-related.

Struck By Object

Another common workplace injury occurs when an employee is hit by moving equipment, a vehicle, or a falling object. In some cases, this leads to minor injuries, like a bruise. In other situations, being struck by an object can cause severe injuries, such as a crushing injury, or even death. If you are facing long-term disability from this type of injury, we can work with you to develop a strategy for your workers’ compensation claim.

Falls from Heights

In blue-collar workplaces, falls from heights are more common. A worker might take a tumble from a ladder, scaffolding, or a roof. These types of falls can result in very serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and traumatic brain injuries. Because a fall from height tends to lead to more catastrophic injuries, it is always a good idea to get a lawyer involved early.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

A fall can happen in any workplace, from a construction site to an office building. Whether you trip over an electrical cord or a loose rug, you can suffer bruises, fractures, head injuries, and other injuries from a slip, trip, or fall. If your employer is contesting some aspect of your claim, we can help you pursue workers’ compensation benefits.

Machine Entanglements

Whenever machinery is present, such as in factories, there is a possibility of worker entanglement. This can lead to amputations or crushing injuries. Because these types of accidents tend to cause severe injuries, it is a good idea to get a lawyer involved sooner rather than later.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

When a person does the same motion over and over again, it can lead to the development of a repetitive motion injury (such as carpal tunnel syndrome). This is fairly common in office and manufacturing jobs. 

Unfortunately, because it is hard to pinpoint a specific incident that caused this type of injury, employers may dispute that something like carpal tunnel is work-related. If you have a repetitive stress injury, you should contact an attorney to help you build a strong claim for benefits.

Vehicle Accidents

Any employee who drives as part of their job may be at risk for an automobile accident. In this situation, you may be able to pursue a workers’ compensation claim against your employer as well as a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. With experience in both areas of law, we can help you evaluate your options and pursue full compensation.

Exposure to Harmful Substances

There is a range of different harmful substances and environments that can cause harm to a worker. This may include toxic chemicals used by landscaping crews or radiation in hospital settings. These exposures can cause occupational illnesses, which can be more complicated to prove. Our law firm has the skill and experience necessary to successfully handle occupational disease cases.

Electrocution

Electrical injuries can cause nerve damage, burns, and even death due to cardiac arrest. If you are electrocuted at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. We can help you pursue benefits for your injuries.

Workplace Violence

While many workplace injuries are the result of an accident or a moment of carelessness, workers may also be harmed by another person physically assaulting them.  This could include anything from a coworker punching you to a shooting event. Our Virginia workers’ comp attorneys will help you pursue benefits for both your physical and psychological injuries.

Help for Virginia Workers

The Virginia workers’ compensation system is no-fault, but that does not necessarily mean that your employer will automatically pay you workers’ compensation benefits. There are many potential areas for dispute, from the cause of your injury to your need for ongoing treatment. We can advocate for you and help you get the best possible outcome for your losses.

Poole, Brooke, Plumlee offers experienced, compassionate legal representation to clients throughout Virginia who have been hurt in workplace accidents. We offer no-cost consultations for all workers’ compensation cases to help you get a better understanding of your rights and options. To learn more, call us at 757-499-1841 or fill out our online contact form to talk to a Virginia Beach workers’ compensation attorney.