The Many Causes of Workplace Accidents

Regardless of your position or employer, there’s one thing you need to remember: you could be involved in a workplace accident at some point.

It’s easy to believe that this only happens to people who work in more dangerous industries, such as construction. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Even if you work in an office setting, you could be involved in an accident at some point. There may not be a great risk of this happening, but you never know what the future could bring.

With all this in mind, it’s a good idea to learn as much as possible about the many causes of workplace accidents. By collecting this information, it’s much easier to make decisions throughout your day that keep you safe.

Watch for the Following

Below are several top causes of workplace accidents:

1. Loose debris that leads to a slip and fall accident. This is exactly what it sounds like. You’re walking through the office, you’re making your way around a job site, and all of a sudden you find yourself on the ground. This is often the result of some type of debris being left in the wrong place.

This is something we discuss in great detail on our website, noting the following;

“Many people believe that injures are minor within these type of accidents. But that is not always the case, in fact, an injury may show up some time after the time of the accident due to the injury being difficult to detect. You could be seriously injured in this type of accident, depending on the location, the extent of the fall, and your current level of health.”

Due to the potential severity of a slip and fall accident, don’t wait to receive medical treatment.

2. Distractions. Just the same as driving a motor vehicle, a distraction in the workplace can quickly increase the chance of an accident.

An example of this would be a person who is not paying attention as they operate a forklift. While they think it’s okay to chatter with friends or check their cellphone, this can lead to an accident that harms one or more people.

Workplace distractions should be kept to a minimum. Even better, these should be eliminated altogether.

3. Overexertion. This isn’t something that people think about often, but it definitely comes into play.

The more tired a person becomes the greater chance there is that he or she will make a mistake. And as you know, it only takes one mistake to cause a workplace accident.

It’s good practice to take a rest from the task at hand if you’ve pushed yourself to the limit. Sure, you want to keep going to get the job done, but it’s better off to take a break for the time being. This will keep you and all others safer.

What to do if You’re Involved in an Accident

Now that you understand some of the most common causes of workplace accidents, it’s time to talk about something else: the steps you should take if you find yourself in this position.

First things first, don’t hesitate to receive medical attention. Even if you don’t think you’ve suffered a major injury, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

From there, make your employer aware of exactly what happened. This way, they can’t claim that the accident happened outside of the job.

Here are some other basic tips to follow:

• Don’t make detailed statements regarding your accident.
• Collect contact information for any witnesses.
• Take photos of the accident scene and your injuries, if possible.
• Don’t speak with an insurance adjuster.

When you follow these steps, you’re doing more than taking your health into consideration. You’re also making moves that can help you receive the compensation you deserve in the future.

If you have questions about workplace accidents or personal injury in general, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will discuss a variety of details, providing you with everything you need in order to make informed decisions regarding your situation.

Workplace accidents are extremely serious, and we want you to realize that you aren’t alone. No matter what you’ve gone through in the past, we’re here to provide assistance in the future.

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Stephanie Thompson, Estate Planning Attorney of Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC

As the owner of Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC, it is Stephanie’s mission to address each client’s goals for their estate plan. By identifying their wishes and concerns she can educate, guide, and counsel on the different tools and options that will effectively and efficiently accomplish those goals.

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