Accidents can take place anywhere and without warning. No one anticipates a sudden fall, an equipment malfunction, or a painful back injury that changes everything. Yet, for thousands of employees across Chicago and beyond, these moments happen without warning. When they do, understanding your rights becomes just as important as your recovery.
Workplace injuries can occur in offices, construction zones, factories, or retail stores. Regardless of the setting, you have legal protections designed to help you regain stability after an accident. Knowing the common workplace accidents eligible for compensation allows you to identify when to take action and seek the support you need.
Common Workplace Accidents
While there are different types of workplace accidents, some are more common than others. Here are some of the most common workplace accidents:
- Slips & Falls
Slips and falls account for almost a third of all workplace-related injuries. Statistics show that over a million injuries take place each year in the US.
Several factors can cause slips and falls, such as damaged or slippery floors, debris on the floor, or other obstructions. Someone else’s neglect mainly causes these accidents and can be quite dangerous, and you may be eligible for workers’ compensation.
Speak with a workers’ compensation lawyer to explore your rights.
- Manual Labor
Suppose you work in a construction environment, where you have to perform tasks like carrying, pulling, pushing, heavy lifting, or even moving. In that case, you are more susceptible to heart-related problems, muscle injuries, broken bones, and back injuries.
Speak to your employer if you have any concerns. Assessing manual labor activities and controlling risks is the responsibility of your employer to ensure that all workers are safe.
- Working With Heavy Machinery
If your job requires you to work in a setting where there is heavy machinery and vehicles, you are at risk of getting injured by items falling from the vehicles or machinery.
Workers who operate these vehicles are at risk as well. Vehicles suddenly turning over due to unbalanced loads or even crashes can result in serious injuries. Driving accidents can lead to broken limbs, concussions, head injuries, and neck injuries.
- Workplace Dangers
Depending on the type of work you’re tasked with, there are chances that you might be susceptible to serious workplace injuries such as; burns, explosions, and other physical damage.
However, you can’t always avoid jobs that are assigned to you in a hazardous environment. Several guidelines are in place to make sure that employees can complete the task efficiently and safely by mitigating these dangers.
Hire Expert Legal Help
After a workplace injury, dealing with insurance adjusters and paperwork can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to make mistakes that delay or reduce your compensation.
Working with an experienced attorney simplifies the process and protects your rights from the start. Legal professionals gather evidence, negotiate settlements, and handle all communications, so you can focus on healing instead of fighting bureaucracy.
At Costa Ivone, our team of workers’ compensation and personal injury attorneys in Chicago has helped countless employees pursue rightful claims against negligent employers. We focus on protecting your rights and helping you move forward after an injury.
If you’ve suffered from common workplace accidents that are eligible for compensation, reach out for a free consultation today. Our attorneys are ready to review your case, explain your options, and guide you toward the recovery you deserve.