Every year, fractures (broken bones) account for tens of thousands of work injuries across the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Certain fields such as construction are particularly at risk, but a fracture can occur at any time in any workplace, especially among older workers.

Employers are responsible for maintaining safe premises and protecting their workers from the risk of fractures. That’s why it’s so important to know the causes of broken bones:

• Falls: even a slip or trip and fall can result in a fracture, though the more dangerous falls are from ladders or other elevated surfaces. Employers need to maintain their workspace to prevent falls and provide personal protective equipment to limit the risk of serious injury.
• Struck by/against accidents: when a worker is hit by a falling object or slammed into a hard object with force, bones can experience significant trauma.
• Machinery accidents: some types of machinery can crush hands or feet that are caught in them, or twist a limb with such force that bones are broken.
• Work-related car accidents: depending on how the crash happens, a motor vehicle accident can break nearly any bone in the body. Workers may break their arms when bracing for impact or their legs when the cab of a vehicle crumples around them.
• Repetitive motion injuries: the vibration of certain power tools can cause stress fractures in the hands and wrists over time.

Other types of incidents, such as workplace violence, can also occasionally result in broken bones. Regardless of the cause, a fracture is a significant injury that requires immediate medical attention — and will have a significant effect on the worker’s ability to do their job.

The high cost of a fracture at work

Simple fractures can be treated with a cast or splint to hold the bone in place while it heals, but more serious breaks may require more invasive treatment. An orthopedic surgeon may have to operate on the broken bone to put it back together and insert metal screws or plates to hold it in place, with follow-up surgery required months or years later to take the hardware back out. Certain types of breaks may require traction, a process where weights are used to slowly realign the bones. Patients in traction may be bedridden for several weeks or more. Moreover, because broken bones have to be immobilized while they heal, physical therapy is often needed to regain the full range of motion and strength of an affected limb. During the recovery period, the injured worker may need to use assistive technologies such as crutches or a wheelchair to get around, depending on which bone is broken.

Depending on which bone is broken and the nature of the injured worker’s job, a broken bone may require weeks or months away from work. A worker who can perform some but not all of their responsibilities while a bone heals may have to take on a “light duty” role with less pay. Depending on the type of break, there may be permanent damage that will have long-term effects on the injured worker’s career.

An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can protect your rights

Workers’ compensation pays for a percentage of your lost wages if you are unable to work due to an injury, plus the full cost of all reasonable and necessary medical treatment for the injury — surgery, pain medication, medical devices, physical therapy, and so on. If you are able to return to work on “light duty” with fewer hours or less pay, workers’ comp likewise pays a percentage of the difference between your new wage and your pre-injury wage. However, navigating the system can be a complex and difficult process with potentially thousands of dollars at stake. You don’t have to deal with the workers’ compensation system alone. Contact the Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl today for a free consultation.

Employers must take responsibility for employee safety

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change a victim’s life forever, and unfortunately, too many of these permanent injuries happen at work. Every employer in every industry needs to be mindful of the risk of TBI and take proactive measures to protect employees. Here are a few reasonable steps employers should take to minimize the risk of TBI.

Fall prevention

Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury and account for nearly half of TBI-related emergency room visits. The risk is higher in jobs where workers are frequently up on ladders or other elevated surfaces, such as construction, but falls can and do happen in any workplace.

Employers need to take fall prevention seriously by maintaining the physical workspace to minimize hazards. Trip hazards must be repaired, railings must be maintained, and spills must be cleaned up promptly to reduce the risk of a slip and fall. Any unavoidable hazards should be clearly marked, such as with a wet floor sign. Lighting, too, plays a role in trip and fall accidents, especially among older workers who may have declining eyesight.

In workplaces with particular fall risks, employers need to ensure that workers use personal protective equipment (PPE) to both prevent falls and protect the head and brain in the event of a fall. Harnesses, guardrails, lifelines, and footwear with adequate traction all play a role in preventing falls, and protective gear such as hardhats can minimize the injury to the brain if a fall does happen. In outdoor environments, employers also need to be mindful of the weather and provide appropriate gear for the conditions.

Struck by objects

Being struck by or against an object can cause the head to experience significant blunt trauma, which in turn causes brain injury. Protective gear such as hardhats can mitigate the risk in dangerous work environments, though it needs to be properly maintained to work. Properly maintaining the work environment itself to stop objects from falling on workers is also a critical preventive measure. Employers need to be mindful of the conditions, make sure tools and objects are cleaned up promptly, and train employees and supervisors on awareness and safety.

Work-related car accidents

During a car crash, it’s common for an occupant’s head to strike a window, windshield, chair, or another object on the interior of the car. Sometimes, car accidents can cause concussions even without direct trauma to the head; if the head moves forward and back with sufficient speed, the brain can hit the inside of the skull, causing damage.

While employers cannot control other motorists’ actions on public roads, there is a great deal they can do to reduce the risk of a work-related car crash on their employees’ side. Company vehicles need to be properly maintained to address mechanical issues that could cause a crash. When planning work-related travel by car, employers need to ensure their employees are well-rested and sober and make sure sufficient time is given for the trip so the driver isn’t under pressure to speed. They also need to take weather into account — avoid sending out employees on non-essential errands when it’s snowing, for instance. Finally, employers need to create and enforce an organization-wide distracted driving policy.

Responding appropriately to a concussion at work

If a worker has a suspected or confirmed concussion, the employer needs to put safety first. Injured workers need to get an immediate medical evaluation in order to confirm the diagnosis. Managers need to set a clear expectation that injuries should be reported immediately and encourage workers to get medical care. Just as importantly, the employer needs to follow the worker’s doctor’s instructions and make reasonable accommodations at work or provide time off to avoid the risk of reinjury. A second concussion before a previous concussion has healed can lead to second impact syndrome, a potentially fatal complication.

If you hit your head at work, you need to do three things right away: report the injury to your employer, get medical attention, and contact us. The long-term cost of a work-related brain injury can be substantial, and you need an experienced attorney on your side to help you navigate the workers’ compensation system. Schedule your free consultation with The Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl today.