Medical and health care workers often need workers’ compensation because of the nature of their jobs. The health care industry taxes employees’ own health as they work hard caring for others.
Common Injuries for Medical and Health Care Workers
Medical and health care workers experience a variety of different kinds of common injuries. For instance, they may suffer:
- Pokes from needles used for injections
- Exposure to infectious diseases
- Latex allergies or dermatitis from hand washing
- Harmful exposures to chemicals and hazardous drugs
- Laboratory accidents
- Back injuries from lifting and transporting patients
- Violence from patients
These injuries range from minor and irritating to very serious. A back injury as a nurse or emergency medical technician could mean the end of your career. Exposure to infections and hazardous materials could lead to serious health conditions.
Your Right to Workers’ Compensation
Like other employees, medical and health care workers have the right to workers’ compensation if they get injured on the job. In the middle of a busy shift, reporting an injury could be the last thing on your mind. But it is important to notify your manager or other hospital staff soon after the injury happens. Not only might you need medical treatment or time off work, but your patients need the best care, which they may not get if you are hurting.
Also, make sure to seek out any treatment that you need. Your employer may participate in a certified managed care plan, which requires you to see certain doctors for workers’ compensation. If not, then you may want to avoid being treated at the same facility where you work. There could be a conflict of interest or issue being reimbursed for treatment later.
Of course, if you have any problems receiving workers’ compensation benefits, be sure to seek out a local lawyer. You can get your questions answered and get the help you need for your injury.
Need help getting workers’ compensation for your injury? Joe Osterbauer, Esq. and the Osterbauer Law Firm stand up for injured Minnesota workers’ rights. Joe’s 27 years of workers’ compensation experience and his team’s speedy service combine to get clients the results they need. To schedule a free consultation, visit Osterbauer Law Firm online or call Joe’s office at (612) 334-3434.
