Hospital Workers and Workplace Injuries in Connecticut: All You Need to Know

Working in a hospital can take a toll on the body, and workplace injuries among hospital workers are common. Hospital workers and workplace injuries in Connecticut are so common that many people end up needing a lawyer to help navigate complicated workers’ comp laws and to handle their workers’ compensation cases. If this sounds familiar, you deserve to speak with a tenacious workers’ compensation lawyer who can pursue the compensation you are owed.

What Workplace Injuries Do Hospital Workers Face?

The rate of hospital workers and workplace injuries in Connecticut is high, often exceeding construction or manufacturing jobs, with top risks including musculoskeletal disorders from lifting patients, slips/trips/falls, and bloodborne pathogen exposure. Common on-the-job injuries include sprains, strains, back injuries, needlestick lacerations, and injuries from patient violence.

The costs of these injuries can be devastating. Every year, hospital worker injuries cost United States hospitals nearly $3 billion annually, with average direct costs per claim ranging from $15,860 to over $39,000. These injuries, often involving back, shoulder, or knee strains, cause significant financial burdens. There are also costs to calculate, such as lost time and indirect costs.

Contributing factors to these hospital workplace injuries include:

• High-patient demand: Frequent, physically demanding patient handling tasks
• Fast-paced environment: Increased risk of accidents in urgent situations
• Long shifts: Contributing to fatigue and reduced physical activity

If you are a hospital worker and you have sustained injuries in the workplace, you can face high medical costs and time off work to recover. As a result, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits that can relieve you of some of the costs you have incurred.

Treatment Costs for Workplace Injuries

2023 data from the National Safety Council placed the cost of workplace injuries at $176.5 billion, or about $1,080 per worker, and $43,000 per medically consulted injury. Total costs include medical expenses, lost wages, and administrative overhead, while fatal injuries average around $1.46 million per incident. A Connecticut workers’ compensation attorney can help you calculate damages in your case.

Top causes of costly hospital-related injuries include:

• Head/central nervous system
• Fractures/dislocations
• Burns
• Falls/slips

Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to significant compensation. When you are trying to recover from work-related injuries, it can be difficult to heal if you are worried about job security and how you are going to pay next month’s bills. At Morizio Law Firm, P.C., we understand how important securing workers’ compensation is to your recovery process.

Hospital Workers and Workers’ Compensation

If you are a hospital worker with a workers’ compensation case, you are not alone. Hospital workers are entitled to workers’ compensation for injuries or illnesses sustained on the job, covering medical treatment, lost wages, and rehabilitation. Common claims include back injuries from lifting, strains, and injuries from patient violence.

When it comes to workers’ compensation for hospital workers, immediate reporting to employers and seeking authorized medical care is essential to receiving benefits. In addition to notifying your supervisors and visiting approved healthcare providers, it is also important to document everything along the way to keep records of the incident in Connecticut.

Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

At Morizio Law Firm, P.C., we are committed to protecting your rights and pursuing the benefits to which you are entitled under workers’ compensation laws. When you hire a workers compensation lawyer at our firm to handle your workers compensation case, you are hiring someone with years of dedicated legal expertise to back their work.

By using our skills, resources, and most up-to-date legal strategies available, our firm will work to protect your rights while processing complicated paperwork, handling insurance companies, and representing your case in court, if necessary. If you are hurting physically, financially, and emotionally, we are here to help lift the burden off your shoulders.

When you work with our Board-Certified Expert Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, you are prioritizing your health and livelihood. Even before your Stratford workers’ compensation case enters the local Bridgeport District Office of the Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC), our dedicated Connecticut workers’ compensation attorney can be there every step of the way, providing guidance and answering any questions you may have.

FAQs

Do Hospitals Report Workplace Injuries?

Hospitals are required to report work-related injuries, particularly severe cases, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Employers must report inpatient hospitalizations, amputation or loss of an eye within 24 hours, and fatalities within 8 hours. Although mandatory for serious incidents, studies indicate potential underreporting of minor injuries.

What Is the Most Common Work-Related Injury for Healthcare Workers?

The most common work-related injuries for healthcare workers are sprains and strains, primarily caused by overexertion from lifting and repositioning patients. These musculoskeletal injuries account for over 54% of missed work days, often affecting the back and shoulders. If you have suffered from these common injuries, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.

How Long Do You Have to Report a Work Injury in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, you must report a work-related injury to your employer immediately to be eligible for benefits. Legally, you have up to one year from an accidental injury date, or up to three years for occupational diseases, to file a formal Form 30C with the WCC. Failure to file within one year can result in the loss of the right to claim benefits.

How Much Compensation Do You Get for an Injury at Work?

Work injury compensation, primarily through workers’ compensation insurance, generally covers medical expenses and provides weekly wage-loss benefits. In Connecticut, workers’ compensation generally provides injured employees with 75% of their net average weekly wage, after tax adjustments, for lost wages, along with full coverage for medical treatment and related travel expenses.

Schedule a Free Consultation

If you are looking for a workers’ compensation attorney who covers hospital workers and workplace injuries in Connecticut, look no further than aggressive attorneys from the Morizio Law Firm, P.C. With years of dedicated experience and knowledge of local law, state, and federal laws, we can help you navigate complex workers comp laws and handle your workers compensation case. Contact us to schedule your consultation with our legal experts.