Sprains, cuts, and fractures are some of the most common reasons why a California worker may file a compensation claim. Different types of injuries may trigger claims for different types of work comp benefits.

Here is a look at some of the most common workplace injuries and workers’ compensation claims that injured workers usually make.

Strains and Sprains
The most common workplace injuries are sprains and strains or injuries to muscles or connective tissues. Such injuries are more likely in industries, like manufacturing, moving and transportation, and warehouses. However, any job can result in a strain or sprain.

Sprains refer to stretched or torn ligaments (tissues that connect bones at a joint). Ankle and knee sprains are most common types of sprains.

Strains refer to stretched or torn muscles or tendons (tissues that connect muscles to bones). Strains can lead to pain in the lower back, upper back, shoulders, and hamstrings.

Strains and sprains generally result from excessive stress on muscles, tendons, or ligaments.For example-

• Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying too much weight
• Awkward, sudden movements, such as twisting while lifting or twisting a ligament, for example,one steps in a hole
• Collisions that exert abrupt force against ligaments
• Slipping, tripping, or falling
• Repetitive movements

Strains and sprains require medical attention, which should be provided to the injured workers by the employers, as part of the workers’ compensation benefits. Serious injuries, like torn ligaments, may even require surgery.

A workers’ injury doctor may place work restrictions on the injured employee to allow the strain or sprain to heal. In such a case, the employer is expected to comply with such restrictions.

Cuts and Punctures
Cuts and punctures may be caused while handling materials or tools. These are common injuries in construction, manufacturing, and retail industries.

Workers’ compensation benefits can’t be claimed in case of minor cuts that can be treated with first aid. However, medical treatment may become necessary in case of cuts and wounds that need stitches or other medical treatment.

Cuts or punctures may also result in work restrictions or even prevent an injured worker from returning to work till the time the wound heals.

Contusions
Minor contusions or bruises may not require treatment or missed work, but deep bruises may make it difficult for workers to walk, bend, sit, climb stairs, or continue necessary work activities.

Contusions can be the result of an impact against the body by collision with equipment (such as a forklift), falling objects, another employee, materials that are being moved, and falling down.

Contusions may sometimes be related to serious injuries, like internal bleeding. Injured workers should notify their employers and seek medical evaluation, if a contusion is too painful, restricts motion, or if the pain worsens.

Fractures
Broken bones or fractures are often the result of falls, impact with equipment, traffic accidents, and falling objects. Broken bones may take a long time to heal and prevent injured workers from working. In some cases, injured workers may be returned to work with restrictions until healing.

Other Injuries
Other work-related injuries that are not common but may lead to workers’ compensation claims include –

•Diseases caused due to exposure to chemicals, toxic substances, or environmental contaminants at the workplace or while carrying out work-related duties
• Electric shocks
• Burns
• Brain injuries
• Hearing loss
• Loss of vision
• Amputations
• Organ damage
• Mental health injuries
• Injuries resulting from fights at work

A skilled and experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you obtain all the benefits you are entitled to receive in case of a workplace injury.

If you wish to consult an experienced workplace injury or handicap liability injury lawyer in Panorama City or Sherman Oaks, CA, schedule a consultation with the law office of Eduard Braun in California, at 877-533-4LAW.