Workplace injuries in Homestead and other Florida communities are a serious concern. They cause everything from pain and suffering to fractures, crushing injuries, head trauma, and many other types of life altering and even fatal injuries. No one goes to work expecting to be injured, but this is still a reality for many employees in South Florida and across the country.
Fortunately, workers can do several things, starting this Labour Day, to reduce their risk of injuries:
No one goes to work expecting to be seriously injured, and yet each year workers in Hollywood and across South Florida end up going to the hospital at the end of their work day or may not even come home. Unfortunately, serious injuries are common across all industries. Even seemingly simple work with numbers or with paperwork can lead to severe and debilitating injury.
Since no one expects to be injured at work, many workers don’t know what to do when they are injured. This leads to common mistakes such as:
When many people think of workplace injuries and workers’ compensation claims in Homestead and Florida, they tend to think of high-risk occupations in industrial settings and factories. However, office workers also face a range of serious injuries and workplace accidents.
If you work in an office, there are many situations where you may be exposed to toxic chemicals or unsafe conditions. You can suffer from back injuries, head trauma, repetitive strain injuries, falls, and other serious injuries.
Aggression in a Homestead or Florida workplace can lead to injuries or at the very least, a toxic environment. Employers have an obligation to provide a reasonably safe environment for employees, and that means having systems in place to prevent anger and violence. Workplaces can do that with these tips:
Staff working in nursing homes in Homestead and Florida often love the chance to make a difference with their work. Unfortunately, injuries among staff at these facilities is higher than many people realize. These injuries may also be on the rise, as seniors live longer and as staff are expected to deal with patients who are more seriously ill. Patients who would have required hospitalization years ago can now live in assisted living facilities and nursing homes, thanks to medical advancements. Unfortunately, this can place added strain on nursing home staff.
Work injuries for Homestead and Florida nursing home staff can include:
While construction workers and other employees working with heavy machinery have high rates of workplace injury, many people are surprised to find office workers in Homestead and other communities also sustain on-the-job injuries with some frequency.
There are several reasons why office work can lead to injuries:
At this time of year, many workers take on seasonal jobs. In Southern Florida, retail, agricultural, and construction sectors, especially, hire seasonal workers. If you are among those hired at this time of year, do you understand your rights under Homestead and South Florida workers’ compensation rules? Do you know what to do if you are injured on the job?
Seasonal Workers and Workplace Injury
As a worker, including as a seasonal worker, you have the right to be paid for your work and you have the right to a safe workplace. Unfortunately, seasonal workers do tend to have higher rates of injuries when compared with full-time workers working year-round. There are a few reasons for this:
Retail workers face high rates of injury. Although their jobs do not usually include heavy equipment, in some years the rate of retail worker injuries is on par with the injury rate in the construction industry. Unfortunately, at this time of year, retail workers may be especially at risk.
If you are a retail worker in Homestead or anywhere in South Florida, worker injuries are a real concern at this time of year for a few reasons. Retail workers during the holidays are often hired as seasonal workers, and this may mean they are less used to the hazards of the workplace. Since this is the busiest season for retail, workers may also be more likely to deal with crowds, aggressive shoppers, long hours (leading to on-the-job fatigue), and large stacks of inventory.
At this time of year, many people in Hollywood and South Florida look for seasonal work to earn extra money in time for the holidays. More jobs open up in the retail and even manufacturing sectors during the holiday rush as more customers shop.
While a seasonal job can mean more money, however, seasonal workers run the risk of serious injury. Unlike full-time workers, seasonal workers may not get a chance to get used to their work environment and may get less training when compared with traditional, full-time employees.
Nursing homes are staffed with nurses, caretakers, administrators, and other professionals whose job it is to care for elderly patients. These workers train for an extended period of time and hope to make a difference in seniors’ lives by offering them the care family is unable to give.
Unfortunately, workers in nursing homes can face challenging conditions and even dangers. Workplace accidents in Hollywood and Florida nursing homes are not uncommon and they can cause staff to face high medical bills and lost time at work. When that happens, workers’ compensation is meant to offer benefits that can help.
Florida Injury Lawyer Blog