Did you know that a worker gets injured on the job every seven seconds? Many of these injured people will consult a personal injury lawyer in Knoxville to file a lawsuit and secure compensation for their injuries. With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the most common types of injuries that occur in the workplace, resulting in a visit to a personal injury lawyer in Knoxville.

Repetitive Stress Injuries

There are a number of jobs that will require constant, repetitive movements to complete daily tasks. However, this can put additional strain on a particular body part, resulting in inflammation, muscle strain, nerve damage, and impaired function. If the damage goes untreated, it can escalate to cysts, stress fractures, and other injuries. Employers have a duty of care towards their employees and should implement measures to avoid this type of injury. If these measures are not put in place, injured employees may have grounds for a workers' compensation claim. Some of the employees who commonly experience repetitive stress injuries are those working on a factory assembly line, constantly typing on a computer, or using vibrating tools like jackhammers. If you have suffered this type of injury at work, you should consult a personal injury lawyer in Knoxville to find out if you have a potential workers' compensation claim.

Respiratory Issues

Another common complaint when it comes to workers' compensation claims is respiratory failure. Although access to protective equipment has improved over the years, the use is inconsistent, and many employers need to improve when it comes to insisting on the right safety precautions when working around small particles. When working with materials that produce fine dust, such as stone or concrete, particles are often inhaled for hours each day. This can lead to various respiratory conditions, including asthma, inflammation of the lungs, or pneumonia. There has also been a great deal of attention on Silicosis, a life-threatening condition caused by exposure to airborne silica dust. There has been a spike in the number of workers involved in manufacturing countertops filing lawsuits relating to this condition. If you believe you have a respiratory illness caused by your workplace, talk to a personal injury lawyer in Knoxville about your next steps.

Slip, Trip & Fall Injuries

While slips, trips, and falls may sound fairly inconsequential, the truth is that the resulting injuries can range from bruises and broken bones to traumatic brain injuries. The severity of the injuries will depend on how far the individual has fallen, the surface they landed on, and whether or not they were wearing protective gear. Slip, trip, and fall injuries are very common in the workplace, as they can occur in a number of different situations. For example, office workers might trip over a filing cabinet that has been left open, while a construction worker may trip over construction debris that has not been correctly cleaned up. Regardless of the circumstances that led to your injury, a personal injury lawyer in Knoxville can help you to seek compensation from your employer.

Heat Exhaustion & Over Exertion

The agriculture and construction industries have a high number of workers' compensation claims due to heat exhaustion and over-exertion. When working in high temperatures doing physical labor, it is important to take steps to avoid over-exertion and dehydration. According to the National Safety Council, exertion is the second most common workplace injury.

Crush Injuries

If you work in an industry that routinely uses heavy machinery or vehicles, you may be at a greater risk of sustaining a crush injury. This is when a body part is trapped under or between two surfaces. Depending on the weight pressing on the body and the length of time the crush lasts, the resulting injuries may include broken bones, nerve damage, compartment syndrome, and even amputation. The workplace must take steps to reduce the risk of such injuries by using safety equipment and providing adequate training. If you have sustained a crush injury at work, talk to a personal injury lawyer in Knoxville to determine if you have a viable worker's compensation claim.

Exposure to Hazardous Materials

In certain industries, workers will be required to handle hazardous materials. This can often lead to exposure to carcinogens. These are absorbed through the skin and can also be inhaled, and prolonged exposure can significantly increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Military personnel, firefighters, and airport staff using AF firefighting foam are all examples of the type of workers who have been exposed to these toxic chemicals and then went on to be diagnosed with cancer. When hazardous materials are handled in the workplace, appropriate safety measures must be implemented to protect workers. If you believe you may have been affected by this type of injury, talking to a personal injury lawyer in Knoxville is important.

Hearing Loss

Exposure to high-decibel noise levels without proper ear protection can often lead to hearing loss in one or both ears. This is commonly seen in people who work in construction, factories, mining, or airports, where there is often a lot of noise. It is also possible to experience hearing loss after a single event, like being in close proximity to an explosion. Loud noises have been proven to cause permanent damage to the inner ear and auditory nerve, resulting in difficulty hearing softer noises and distinguishing speech. If your employer has failed to provide adequate protection for your ears while working in a noisy environment and you are experiencing hearing loss, you could have a case for workers' compensation, and you should consult with a personal injury lawyer in Knoxville.

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Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 865-637-3531.

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