Healthcare workers provide essential services and care to communities across Delaware. While a career in health care is undoubtedly rewarding, it also presents unique occupational hazards and risks. Healthcare work is demanding, both physically and mentally, and workplace injuries and illnesses are common in the healthcare field.
Employers and insurance companies are reluctant to give rightfully owed workers’ compensation benefits, even when they are rightfully due to people who play an integral role in keeping society running. They will attempt to undervalue your injury, attribute it to unrelated causes, or even claim that it was a pre-existing condition. That’s why you need a skilled and aggressive Dover workers’ compensation lawyer.
Proudly serving clients across the great state of Delaware, the knowledgeable and experienced workers’ compensation team at Schmittinger & Rodriguez have made it their mission to advocate for injured workers to ensure they are receiving the compensation they’re rightfully owed. We are ready to start fighting for you today.
1. Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls account for the majority of workplace injuries in the healthcare sector. Wet floors are unfortunately common across healthcare facilities, along with wires running from room to room, large equipment, and cluttered hallways. While healthcare facilities owe their employees a safe work environment pursuant to Delaware law, that doesn’t always mean that the facilities will be kept to the appropriate standards.
2. Sprains, Strains, and Back Injuries
Healthcare work can be incredibly physically taxing. Many healthcare workers are tasked with moving patients and heavy equipment which can lead to musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains, strains, back injuries, and more. To minimize this risk, it’s imperative that employers train healthcare workers in proper lifting techniques and invest in the necessary lifting equipment.
3. Needlestick Injuries
Unique to the healthcare industry, needlestick injuries are both common and incredibly dangerous. These injuries can occur to healthcare workers in just about any role. They can occur when treating patients, removing medical waste, and while cleaning the facility. A needlestick injury can present huge health risks as it can expose the employee to certain bloodborne pathogens such as HIV and multiple forms of hepatitis. Even with proper training and the best quality protective equipment, the risk of needlestick injuries can only be minimized, not avoided.
4. Exposure to Chemicals and Burns
The healthcare field must use powerful, dangerous chemicals to ensure that the environment and equipment remain sterile and safe for future patients. While these can be handled safely, accidents do happen, especially when employers do not properly train their employees on the proper usage of these chemicals. The injuries that result from exposure to these kinds of chemicals can be incredibly serious and life-altering. Similarly, given the importance of hygiene in the healthcare field, many healthcare workers must operate equipment such as sterilizers and autoclaves which use incredibly high heat to sanitize equipment. Subsequent accidents can be equally as catastrophic.
5. Exposure to Infectious Disease
Healthcare workers are especially vulnerable when it comes to contact with infectious diseases. They have no choice but to care for contagious patients and come into contact with their medical waste. While the great majority of healthcare facilities take appropriate precautions to prevent disease transmission, there are never any guarantees when it comes to viruses.
Your Dover Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you or a loved one were injured on the job in Dover, turn to the experienced team at Schmittinger & Rodriguez to fight for your rights. You deserve to see the workers’ compensation benefits you’re rightfully due under the law. We will guide you through the workers’ compensation process, advocate for your best interests, and fight so you see the full extent of the benefits to which you are entitled. With 62 years of combined experience and 45,000 clients served, our team is ready to start advocating for you today. Contact us for a free consultation!
