Kansas City Work Injury Lawyer: Open Wound From a Work Related Injury

When you file a work comp claim for an open wound injury, you need to prove that your injury was related to your employment.

An open wound is a type of injury usually to the skin or affecting internal or external body tissue. The Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS) of the Bureau of Labor Statistics include open wounds in its list of subcategories for work-related injuries and illnesses. When a worker gets injured at the workplace, he or she needs to specify the nature of the occupational injury by selecting the right category or subcategory in the OIICS. In order to make sure that you get workers’ compensation benefits for any work-related open wound injury, you need to prove that your injury was related to your employment.

In the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS), the subcategory ‘open wound’ comes under the category of traumatic injuries and disorders. Injuries or illnesses listed under this category not only cause physical pain but also trigger mental distress and psychological consequences. A victim of these types of injuries may experience mental trauma even years after the accident. Dealing with the psychological impacts of the accident could be challenging.

Workers Exposed to Higher Risk of Suffering Open Wound Injuries

Due to the nature of their work, certain workers are more likely to suffer open wound injuries:

• construction and building workers
• assembly line workers
• firefighters
• first responders
• police and security personnel
• carpenters
• workers involved in manufacturing
• doctors
• nurses
• medical technicians

Common Types of Injuries Resulting From Open Wounds

• Puncture – This type of injury occurs when any sharp object such as a needle or knife pierce into external or internal body tissue, making punctures or small holes in it. Heavy bleeding is a common symptom of this type of open wound. However, in some cases, there could be internal hemorrhage and the bleeding may not be visible. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Otherwise, the condition can deteriorate rapidly.
• Abrasion – This type of injury occurs when the skin rubs or scraps against any solid or uneven surface. Minor bleeding is a common symptom.
• Laceration – This type of open wound injury occurs when the soft tissues of your body tears or breaks. Excessive bleeding is a common symptom of laceration.
• Incision – Any cuts or scratches in the skin from any sharp object such as a knife, razor blade, broken glass, or sharp metal edge could cause this type of injury. In serious cases, an incision can affect the muscles or even the nerves.
• Avulsion – This type of injury occurs when the tissues are torn due to a vigorous encounter with any solid object or surface.