When you are injured at work, you may feel overwhelmed or confused about your next steps. It’s likely you haven’t faced this type of situation before and that can lead to additional stress. Further complicating matters is the fact that workers compensation claims can vary widely in severity and complexity, meaning there are rarely cut and dry scenarios. However, there are a few common categories in which many of the claims fall. Below are three of the most common types of workers compensation claims.

Trip/Slip and Fall

These injuries tend to happen on wet or slick floors. However, these types of injuries can also be caused by rough or uneven surfaces (such as broken pavement) or defective stairs. When a worker slips, or trips, and falls, it can cause many different injuries. Broken bones, pulled or torn muscles/ligaments or nerve damage are all possible. These types of claims can also be classified as personal injury claims; however, those incidents occurring while an employee is on the clock and job site are considered workers compensation cases, with few exceptions. In personal injury, there has to be fault proven, though that isn’t necessary when the case is workers compensation.

Overexertion

Nationally, this is one of the most common types of injuries. These injuries usually occur from pushing, pulling, lifting, throwing or carrying. The most common types of injuries include pulled or torn muscles and ligaments. Joints forced beyond their normal range of motion can also be injured. These injuries tend to be complex to diagnose and treat. Effects from overexertion on muscles, nerves, ligaments, or joints can be long-lasting. Not having a finite end to this type of injury means early insurance settlements can be very detrimental. Speaking with an attorney who has experience dealing with this type of injury case will help the worker to be able to correctly address the claim and not be stuck with unexpected, long-term expenses.

Bodily Reaction

These injuries can be caused by free bodily motion, such as slip without actually falling, repetitive movements, or remaining in unnatural positions. Free motion often results in sprained ankles or knees. These injuries can happen anywhere, but they often happen in areas cluttered by machinery or other objects, in tight spaces, or in unusual environments. In addition, these types of injuries are ones that may have been avoided with proper equipment or instruction. Regardless of the type of workers compensation claim you are dealing with, you will need to be able to know the next steps in your claim process and be able to get reliable guidance throughout your injury and recovery process. Make sure that you find an attorney you trust to handle your specific situation, and remember to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible to improve the outcome of your case.