5 Common Workplace Injuries in Kansas City, Missouri

Here are the injuries with the greatest incidence in Missouri, as shown in a recent report by OSHA.

Getting injured while performing your work duties can leave you with great financial burdens, pain and suffering, and medical recovery that can stretch for a long period of time, during which you cannot work and are left with little or no income. 

That’s where workers’ compensation comes to help. It’s a system meant to protect injured workers and provide them with compensation for their losses. Most employees in Missouri are entitled to receive workers’ compensation or benefits if they prove to be eligible.

However, what are the most common injuries Missouri workers suffer on the job? Here are the injuries with the greatest incidence as shown in a report by OSHA.

Cuts and Punctures

From cuts and punctures that keep you off work for a few hours or only need immediate medical care, to life-threatening injuries, this type of personal damage can happen to employees from any industry but are most prevalent in restaurants, butcheries, carpenter shops, and mechanic shops. 

Sprains and Strains

Slip and falls, car accidents, lifting heavy objects, or being hit by heavy machinery can lead to sprains and strains. Serious injuries can take weeks or even months to heal and keep you off work for a considerable amount of time. That’s why it’s important to get checked by a medic right away and not brush it off as something that will pass on its own. 

Injuries or Conditions Caused by Inflammation

Bursitis, tendinitis, and other inflammatory conditions can cause chronic pain and limit your ability to work. They can affect various body parts, including: hands, arms, knees, and ankles. Repetitive movements can lead to such injuries, one notable example being carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Fractures

Fractured bones will generally need at least 2-4 weeks to heal completely, and only if there are no complications. Some fractures require operations and a longer period of recovery. Major or multiple fractures can be considered catastrophic events, and may leave you impaired for the rest of your life.

Contusions

Contusions can affect soft tissue or bones. While they are not as serious as a fracture, they can still cause a lot of pain and might prevent you from doing your job for several weeks. Head contusions are some of the most serious ones, needing in-depth investigations. 

Speak With a Kansas City Work Injury Lawyer

Whether you work in an office or on a construction site, you are exposed to the risk of injuries at work. Your employer is required to provide a safe environment for their staff and in most cases is required to carry workers’ comp insurance in case something goes wrong. 

If you suffer from a work-related injury or condition, contact an experienced Kansas City workers compensation attorney who has experience with these types of cases. They will give you a realistic perspective on what to expect from your claim, and how to get the maximum compensation possible.