Nurses in New York perform physically and emotionally demanding jobs with many inherent risks. While working around sick patients, nurses are exposed to communicable diseases as well as hazardous substances, harmful radiation, and the potential for needle sticks. The following is information on the injuries that nurses commonly sustain.
Violence
It may surprise some people to know that violence is the third-most common type of nursing injury, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. Violent events represent 12% of nursing injuries, which is three times more workplace violence than people experience in other career fields.
Slips, trips, and falls
Slips, trips, and falls are the second-most common type of nursing injuries. These injuries are almost always caused by a preventable work condition, like a cluttered room or a wet floor. In fact, the majority of these accidents result from a liquid, like water, bodily fluids, or gel, causing someone to slip. It’s also important to note that nurses over the age of 50 experienced the highest rates of slips, trips, and falls.
Overexertion
Overexertion injuries are the most common type of nursing injury, accounting for nearly half of the nonfatal nursing injuries. An overexertion injury could be caused by repetitive motion, lifting too much weight, or twisting the wrong way. Back strains are a typical overexertion injury that leads to a lot of workers’ comp claims among nurses.
Recovering from nursing injuries
If you were injured while working as a nurse, you may be able to claim financial compensation through workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ comp typically covers a portion of your lost wages and medical expenses from a workplace injury. If you were injured because of a patient or visitor’s actions, you may also be able to file a third-party claim for additional compensation.