Health care workers are some of the most valuable employees in Michigan, risking their health and safety to provide care and support for the ill and injured. Due to the high-risk and high-stress nature of this type of job, it is no surprise that hospitals are some of the most dangerous places to work.
Despite the inherently risky nature of their jobs, those employed in hospitals have the right to a reasonably safe workplace. Hospital workers also have the right to certain benefits should they suffer injury or become ill due to exposure on the job — benefits that include health care, recovery of lost wages and more.
The hidden dangers of working in a hospital
Hospitals are places where people go for healing and medical care, but they can be quite dangerous for the individuals who provide that care. According to statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, more hospital workers suffer injuries than do workers employed in the construction industry. The top reasons for injuries to people who work in hospitals include:
- Slip-and-falls
- Trip-and-falls
- Overexertion
- Violence
- Contact with dangerous objects
Due to the nature of lifting patients, pushing beds and moving heavy equipment around, overexertion injuries, such as sprains and strains, are quite common. These risks are normal for doctors, nurses and other types of care providers, but when injuries happen, these workers have the same rights as other injured employees.
Workers’ compensation benefits
Injured individuals have the right to seek workers’ compensation benefits, even if they work in a hospital. Depending on the nature of the injuries and the financial losses experienced, the applicant may be able to claim support for the following:
- Medical care
- Pay lost from missed shifts
- Rehabilitation needs
- Therapy
What you may be able to get will depend on the circumstances of your unique situation. With the right help, you can seek to maximize the benefits to which you are entitled and fight for the full amount of recovery you deserve.
Fight back against setbacks
If you are a hospital worker who suffered an injury on the job, you may have to fight for the benefits you deserve. The claims process is complicated, and it can be difficult to navigate some of the potential setbacks you may face. From a denied claim to other issues, you do not have to face any of it alone. An experienced attorney can help you with every step of the process, from the initial application forward.
