Conversations regarding workers' compensation injuries often involve discussions of what are commonly known as "repetitive stress injuries." There are multiple different types of jobs that could cause these issues, and the symptoms may manifest in a few different areas. So, what exactly is a repetitive stress injury, and how do you know if you have one?
U.S. meatpacking workers suffering high rates of injury
Almost 15 years ago, the Human Rights Watch organization began documenting and investigating the abuse of the rights of workers in the United States meat and poultry industries. What they found was disturbing, to say the least. These workers present some of the highest rates in the country of workplace injury and illness.
Construction, transportation lead state in workplace fatalities
Accidents can happen in any kind of workplace, but some kinds of workplaces are more hazardous than others. A worker can suffer a broken arm after tripping and falling at an office building, but tripping and falling at a construction site can easily lead to much worse injuries. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the deadliest industries in North Carolina are private construction, transportation and warehousing.
Dealing with the disruption caused by an on-the-job injury
Most people in North Carolina who get up and leave for work in the morning expect to return to the same place they left: home, safe and sound. However, there are many people who face daily danger on the jobsites they visit. Some workers are aware of the dangers they face and attempt to take the proper precautions. Others, like office workers, don't think of their work environments as being unsafe. Unfortunately, across the spectrum, injuries can occur on-the-job and can disrupt life in a major way.
What is a herniated disc?
A person's backbone is made up of several smaller bones called vertebrae, all of which surround the spinal cord, which is arguably the most important nerve in the body. To prevent the vertebrae from rubbing against each other, there are softer tissues between the vertebrae called discs. These discs work a lot like the brake pads on one's car in that they prevent the wear and tear of two hard substances grating against each other. A herniated disc is a common type of back injury that probably affects many people in the Charlotte area.
What if I got hurt after I mishandled some equipment?
As any Charlotte worker knows, people often make mistakes while on the job. Errors at work are almost inevitable, even when the culture of the workplace is solid and the workers themselves honest and diligent.
Worker killed in construction site accident
Accidents can happen at any type of workplace, but the hazards at construction sites are especially dangerous. At a busy work site where heavy equipment and materials are moving around, any accident can easily turn deadly.
The costliest types of work-related accidents
There are many ways workers in Charlotte can get hurt while on the job. However, statistics show that there are some common causes of workplace injury accidents. While an insurance carrier compiled these statistics, the information comes from a variety of sources, including the federal government and a think tank. According to these statistics, the primary source of workers' compensation and related costs involve accidents with lifting or otherwise moving objects. These claims cost over $13 billion a year.
Common causes of back injuries
One of the most vulnerable parts of a person's body is their back. The back is the home of the spinal cord, arguably the most important network of nerves in the body. It also has a large number of muscles, ligaments and bones, all of which can cause a great deal of pain if injured.
Deadly jobs list includes usual suspects, some surprises
A recent list of this country's deadliest lines of work includes some occupations that people in Charlotte, North Carolina, probably have for a long time recognized were dangerous.
