Doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, and other healthcare workers spend their days keeping others safe, so it may come as a surprise to learn that healthcare workers report more workplace illnesses and injuries than workers in any other industry. Medical workers often work long hours doing physically demanding jobs like lifting and transferring patients. They also regularly work with and in close proximity to hazardous biological materials and dangerous chemicals.
Healthcare workers who are injured in the course of performing their jobs are typically entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Under workers’ compensation law, injured employees can receive financial compensation for their medical expenses and part of their lost income. If you or a loved one in the healthcare field suffered a workplace injury or illness, a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand your rights and options.
Work Injury Claims Involving Medical and Healthcare Professionals
According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), healthcare and social assistance workers are injured more frequently than workers in other sectors. Unfortunately, the rate at which healthcare workers are injured is rising. OSHA reports that there was a 40 percent increase in healthcare work-related injuries and illnesses in 2020—a statistic that is perhaps unsurprising given the immense pressure put on the healthcare industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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