North Carolina nurses, at risk for workplace injuries

Whether you have recently graduated from a North Carolina nursing school or have been working the floors of a large hospital for years, job safety is no doubt one of your number one concerns. Your employer is, of course, obligated to provide proper training and equipment to help you keep the job hazard risk as low as possible. While many do not think of nursing as a dangerous profession, if you are employed in the industry, you’re at risk for numerous workplace injuries.

Most employers must purchase workers’ compensation insurance. If you suffer injuries on the job, you are able to file a claim, which may enable you to collect benefits. Such benefits can cover medical expenses, as well as replace lost wages during recovery. It’s not uncommon for complications to arise when navigating the system, which is why it’s a good idea to know where to seek additional support, if needed.

North Carolina nurses often suffer workplace injuries from overexertion

If you have worked as a nurse for any length of time, you understand that there is a lot of bodily movement involved with the job. From assisting the mobility of a patient, to changing bed linens, bending, twisting, reaching and more, such exertion can result in neck or back injuries, at any time.

Like most nurses, you have probably worked long hours, without much time for rest. Fatigue and overexertion of the body can weaken your ability to avoid injury. More than 45% of workplace injuries in the nursing industry involve bodily overexertion issues.

Have you suffered workplace injuries after a slip, trip or fall?

In a nursing environment, you may come and go from various rooms and areas of a hospital, numerous times, throughout an average work shift. If a floor is wet, debris is lying in a walkway or electrical cords are obstructing your path, you are at great risk for workplace injuries.

There’s often a lot of construction going on in a hospital environment, as well, which may present numerous safety hazards to workers, visitors and patients. If you slip, trip or fall while carrying out your duties as a nurse, you could suffer moderate to severe injuries, including sprains, broken bones, spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries.

There are many toxins in a nursing environment

Hospital staff members often use highly toxic chemicals to clean and disinfect the environment. If you develop a rash, headaches, blisters or other adverse symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting, toxins in the workplace might be the cause.

Any type of workplace injuries may necessitate immediate medical attention and time off work to recover. If you are one of many North Carolina nurses who have suffered an injury at work, your condition might even prevent you from returning to work, either temporarily or on a permanent basis. Knowing how to file a workers’ compensation claim and where to seek guidance and support, as needed, can help ensure that you obtain the care and treatment you need and are able to achieve as full a recovery as possible.