Featured Posts
Warehouse workers at Amazon face similar hazards to workers in any other warehouse. However, according to one study, Amazon workers get injured more than twice as many times as workers in other warehouse jobs. In 2021, there were more than 34,000 serious injuries to employees while on the job at Amazon facilities. Among all warehouse workers in the United States, Amazon employees make up roughly one-third of these workers, but nearly half of all injuries (49%)  happened at Amazon facilities.
Like any personal injury lawsuit, you’ll first need to prove that another person or business entity is responsible for your injuries and was negligent. Where a case becomes more complicated for a self-employed person is in the calculation of lost wages. If you work for someone else, either as an hourly or salaried employee, it is rather straightforward to calculate how many hours or days of work you lost due to your injuries and provide a letter stating what regular compensation and bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation you missed out on. You can also include any sick, vacation, or bonus days you had to use during your hospitalization and recovery. If you are self-employed, the process becomes more complicated.
If you’ve been injured on the job, you’ll need to file a claim first with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. In Illinois, you’re allowed to select your own doctor to treat workers’ comp injuries. This is so that you have a better chance of securing a physician who has your recovery and best interests in mind, rather than one who has a vested interest in the insurance company’s profits.  You will, however, need to secure a doctor who accepts workers’ comp insurance, so make sure you let them know upfront that you were injured on the job, and it will be the company’s insurance policy paying. The doctor will need to know this information ahead of time because the insurer will certainly require the doctor to obtain authorization before performing certain treatments or tests.
If you were injured in a trucking accident in Chicago, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, Cicero, or a nearby community, call the injury attorneys at Lloyd Miller Law for a free consultation.

Top Injury Classifications for Workers’ Compensation Claims

Posted By:
Moving company employee grimaces while lifting a box incorrectly

Work accidents of all types occur across the country, but some injuries are more common than others, including sprains and strains, punctures and cuts, and contusions. The following are some of the most common injury classifications in workers’ compensation claims. 

A Report Reveals Top Injury Classifications

The Travelers Companies conducted a review of over 1.5 million workers’ compensation claims in 2016, which led to several key findings. The Injury Impact Report revealed that strains and sprains were the most common work injuries, along with the fact that material handling incidents were the leading cause of work-related injuries.

From 2010 to 2014, the top five work-related injuries that developed included strains and sprains at 30%, cuts or punctures at 19%, contusions at 12%, and inflammation and fractures both at 5%.

Small businesses saw a greater number of cuts and punctures compared to sprains and strains. Additionally, the construction and manufacturing industries saw more eye injuries than other industries.

What Causes Workplace Injuries?

The Injury Impact Report also determined what types of accidents caused these injuries. Some leading causes of work-related injuries include:

  • Material handling at 32%
  • Slips, trips, and falls at 16%
  • Collisions with or being struck by objects at 10%
  • Accidents involving tools at 7%
  • Traumas that developed over time such as strains or overuse injuries, which accounted for 4% of accidents

The Impact of Work Injuries

Following these accidents and injuries, the report found that strains and sprains led to an average of 57 missed workdays. Meanwhile, cuts and punctures saw an average of 24 missed workdays. Fractures and inflammation caused workers to miss work the most, leading to 78 and 91 missed workdays, respectively.

Even seemingly superficial or otherwise minor injuries can lead to many missed days from work and lost wages, along with medical expenses. Missed workdays can negatively impact a business as it goes without the employee for extended periods of time following an injury. 

The effects of work-related accidents and injuries make it important for employers and employees to implement sufficient safety and security measures. The reduced risk of workplace accidents can help minimize the chance of minor or serious injury. Implementing these safe work practices keeps both workers and businesses happy and healthy.

About the Author

Kurt D. Lloyd is a plaintiff’s trial lawyer who focuses on medical malpractice and other catastrophic injury cases. He lives in Chicago and represents injured clients throughout Illinois. He is also the founder of Lloyd Law Group, Ltd.

Chicago accident lawyer Kurt D. Lloyd