Healthcare is the fastest-growing sector of the U.S. economy, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), employing over 18 million workers – the majority of which (80%) are women. Healthcare workers – including doctors, nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists, and a number of other professionals – are exposed to a wide range of occupational hazards.
Some of the most common healthcare work injuries include:
• Needlestick injuries
• Cuts
• Sprains
• Back Injuries
• Burns
• Repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Latex allergies
• Exposure to infectious diseases
Unfortunately, the healthcare industry continues to account for a significant number of nonfatal work injuries and illnesses, whereas other dangerous industries – namely, construction and agriculture – have become safer in recent years. Needlestick injuries continue to be one of the most common injuries for healthcare workers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 600,000 to 800,000 needlestick injuries occur each year in the United States. In an effort to reduce needlestick injuries, there are various laws and regulations in place to promote safe working environments for healthcare workers. For instance, the Illinois Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act imposes various safety regulations on Illinois hospitals and certain other employers regarding sharp objects.
If you work in the healthcare industry and suffered a work injury or illness, you are likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation laws require employers to provide workers’ compensation benefits to injured employees regardless of who was at fault for the injury. Depending on the applicable state laws and regulations, injured healthcare workers may be able to receive the following workers’ compensation benefits:
• Medical expenses, including doctor visits, follow-up visits, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
• Temporary total disability (TTD), up to a weekly maximum payment amount, if you are unable to work while recovering.
• Permanent total disability (PTD) or permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits based on a percentage of your pre-injury wage, up to a weekly maximum payment amount.
• In some cases, vocational rehabilitation benefits such on-the-job training, schooling, or job placement assistance.
Workers’ compensation benefits are typically based on the injured workers’ pre-injury salary and are subject to minimum and maximum amounts, as determined by state law. Although injured workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, employers sometimes do not provide the benefits in a prompt manner or they may seek to reduce the amount of benefits that are paid. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help protect your legal rights and ensure that you receive full and fair compensation following a work injury or illness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Howard Ankin of Ankin Law Office, LLC
Howard Ankin of Ankin Law Office LLC focuses on handles workers’ compensation and personal injury cases.
Copyright Ankin Law Office, LLC - Google+
More information about Ankin Law Office, LLC
• Needlestick injuries
• Cuts
• Sprains
• Back Injuries
• Burns
• Repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Latex allergies
• Exposure to infectious diseases
Unfortunately, the healthcare industry continues to account for a significant number of nonfatal work injuries and illnesses, whereas other dangerous industries – namely, construction and agriculture – have become safer in recent years. Needlestick injuries continue to be one of the most common injuries for healthcare workers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 600,000 to 800,000 needlestick injuries occur each year in the United States. In an effort to reduce needlestick injuries, there are various laws and regulations in place to promote safe working environments for healthcare workers. For instance, the Illinois Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act imposes various safety regulations on Illinois hospitals and certain other employers regarding sharp objects.
If you work in the healthcare industry and suffered a work injury or illness, you are likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation laws require employers to provide workers’ compensation benefits to injured employees regardless of who was at fault for the injury. Depending on the applicable state laws and regulations, injured healthcare workers may be able to receive the following workers’ compensation benefits:
• Medical expenses, including doctor visits, follow-up visits, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
• Temporary total disability (TTD), up to a weekly maximum payment amount, if you are unable to work while recovering.
• Permanent total disability (PTD) or permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits based on a percentage of your pre-injury wage, up to a weekly maximum payment amount.
• In some cases, vocational rehabilitation benefits such on-the-job training, schooling, or job placement assistance.
Workers’ compensation benefits are typically based on the injured workers’ pre-injury salary and are subject to minimum and maximum amounts, as determined by state law. Although injured workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, employers sometimes do not provide the benefits in a prompt manner or they may seek to reduce the amount of benefits that are paid. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help protect your legal rights and ensure that you receive full and fair compensation following a work injury or illness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Howard Ankin of Ankin Law Office, LLC
Howard Ankin of Ankin Law Office LLC focuses on handles workers’ compensation and personal injury cases.
Copyright Ankin Law Office, LLC - Google+
More information about Ankin Law Office, LLC
Source: hg.org
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