People go to hospitals for treatment and healing, yet these facilities can be quite hazardous for those who work there. New York doctors and nurses face a myriad of potential hazards and threats to their own health and safety, even while they provide care and treatment for others.
If you are a doctor, nurse, health tech or other employee who suffered injuries or became ill as a result of your job at the hospital, you have a rightful claim to workers’ compensation benefits. You may find it difficult to secure the support you deserve, but you do not have to navigate the claims process on your own.
Hazards and safety risks in hospitals
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, hospitals are some of the most dangerous places to work. In this particular industry, injuries are reported at an average rate that is approximately double the rate of the entire private industry sector. Hospital employees are more likely to suffer injuries than those employed in construction and manufacturing. OSHA statistics indicate that the top five hazards and causes of injuries are:
- Overexertion and bodily reaction
- Slips, trips and falls
- Contact with different objects
- Violence
- Exposure to substances
When a hospital worker suffers an injury, he or she could miss one or multiple shifts. This leads to lost wages, medical needs and other financial losses that result from the injury. Just one incident or illness can be devastating for a hard-working hospital employee.
Complications in securing benefits
It is not always easy to secure workers’ compensation benefits, even if you have a valid claim. Hospitals or other employers may deny or delay a claim, and, sometimes, the claim comes back denied. These are frustrating setbacks, but you have the right to continue fighting for the money you need for medical care, lost wages and other setbacks.
In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, it is possible that you may have a rightful claim to other types of support, which include:
- Social Security Disability
- Unemployment insurance
- Union benefits
- Private disability
- Wage replacement benefits
If you suffered an injury at work, you will find it beneficial to work with a lawyer who can maximize the benefits that may be available to you and secure recovery from all available sources. You may have this assistance and guidance for the entire recovery process, even when you file your initial claim.