Common Workplace Injuries

    WEST PALM BEACH, FL, April 13, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- An injury can be sustained in any kind of workplace, whether you are a construction laborer or an office worker. Workplace injuries can range from mild lacerations and bruises to more serious physical injuries and chronic illnesses.

When you are injured on-the-job, most states provide workers' compensation benefits. Workers' compensation is a type of insurance that releases your employer from liability for any injuries you sustain at work. In return for releasing your employer from fault, you receive insurance benefits covering lost wages and medical expenses related to your injury.

Injuries in the Workplace

There are many different workplace injuries, including:
- Head and brain injury
- Back and spinal cord injury
- Neck injury
- Slip and fall
Workplace injuries can stem from accidents of various kinds, including:
- Electrocution
- Fires and explosions
- Falls from heights
- Falling debris
- Chemical exposure

Although industries such as construction are typically considered the most dangerous, workplace injuries can occur at any job. Workers' compensation benefits are typically provided to most employees, including those who work indoors in offices and other facilities.

Sometimes, a workplace injury is not immediately apparent. Exposure to certain chemicals, substances and materials can cause diseases that may not surface for a number of years. Mesothelioma and other types of cancer can be caused by the workplace. If you contract the disease at the workplace and the disease eventually leads to you being unable to work, you are still entitled to workers' compensation benefits for an occupational disease.

Repercussions of Workplace Injuries

After a work-related injury, you may face a number of challenges, including:
- Inability to work
- Full or partial disability
- Expensive medical bills
- Ongoing medical treatment
- Physical and emotional pain

Although workers' compensation benefits do not typically cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering, they are supposed to cover your medical expenses and lost wages. In the tragic case that a workplace injury led to death, these benefits should act like life insurance, providing compensation for the dependents of the worker.

Workers' compensation laws vary by state. In some cases, employees may have trouble recovering their benefits based on certain aspects of the law. A workers' compensation lawyer can ensure the insurance company is acting fairly and make sure you receive the benefits you are owed.

To learn more about compensation for workplace accidents, please visit the website of the workers compensation lawyers serving West Palm Beach at the Cochran Firm South Florida at http://cochranfirmsouthflorida.com.

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