Every year in Pennsylvania and around the country, many workers are injured on the job. Of the injuries that are suffered, the majority result from overexertion of the musculoskeletal system, as revealed by data from both Liberty Mutual and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the 2016 Workplace Safety Index report released by Liberty Mutual, overexertion injuries were the primary cause of disabling workplace injuries in 2013. The company reviewed data from that year regarding the amount of money paid out for injury claims, finding that overexertion injuries made up almost 25 percent of the cost burden. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 32 percent of the work-related injuries during 2014 were musculoskeletal.
Liberty Mutual further reported that the top 10 causes of disabling injury made up 82.5 percent of the total costs for 2013, and the top five accounted for 64.8 percent of such costs. Behind overexertion injuries, other major causes of injuries in that year were falls that happened on the same level, falls that resulted from one level to a lower one and being hit by falling equipment or other objects.
Despite significant safety regulations that are in place to govern workplace safety, it is an unfortunate fact that workplace injuries will continue to take place. Because of the risk that such an injury accident may occur, most employers are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage in order to protect injured employees. Benefits can often include the provision of medical care and treatment as well as a replacement of a percentage of lost wages, and many workers find that the assistance of an attorney can be helpful during the filing process.
