No one goes to work expecting to be hurt on the job. But unfortunately, workplace injuries are all-too-common.

In Michigan, most employees and many independent contractors are covered under Michigan’s workers’ compensation insurance. In the event of a workplace injury, workers’ compensation will pay for the cost of medical care and rehabilitation required because of injuries sustained at work. It also provides compensation for lost wages following the accident.

But after many workplace injuries, workers are entitled to additional compensation from a third party. In these cases, it is important to pursue financial recovery from all available sources. Your workers’ compensation benefits alone may not be enough to cover all of your needs.

Common Workplace Injuries

Workers face the possibility of a workplace injury in virtually any working environment in Michigan. Your working conditions and the type of work you do create the risk of injury. Of course, a workplace injury is more likely at some jobs than others.

According to the National Safety Council, the top three leading causes of work injuries in 2020 (the most recent year for which data is available) were exposure to harmful substances, overexertion and bodily reactions, and slips, trips, and falls. These three injury categories accounted for over 75% of nonfatal injuries in 2020. Additional causes of workplace injuries included contact with objects and equipment, transportation accidents, violence caused by persons or animals, and fires and explosions.

Exposure to Harmful Substances or Environments

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the leading cause of work-related injuries and illnesses in 2020 was exposure to harmful substances or environments. In addition to COVID-19, this category of workplace injury includes exposure to:

• Electricity;
• Radiation and noise;
• Extreme temperatures;
• Air and water pressure change;
• Other harmful substances, including contagious and infectious diseases such as COVID-19; or
• Traumatic or stressful events.

People who work in healthcare and social assistance are at the highest risk for exposure to harmful substances or environments.

Overexertion and Bodily Reaction

Common injuries due to overexertion and bodily reactions include:

• Non-impact injuries resulting from excessive physical effort such as lifting, pushing, turning, holding, carrying, or throwing; and
• Repetitive motion injuries caused by tasks that cause stress or strain on the body due to the repetitive nature of the task, usually without strenuous effort.

People who work in the transportation and warehousing industry are most likely to suffer injuries due to overexertion and bodily reactions.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slips, trips, and falls were the third-leading cause of workplace injuries in 2020 and included injuries caused by:

• Slipping and tripping without falling, such as when a worker catches themself from falling;
• Falling on the same level;
• Falling to a lower level, such as when a worker falls from a collapsing structure, through a surface, or from a ladder, roof, scaffolding, or other structure; and
• Jumping to a lower level.

People working in the transportation, warehousing, and agriculture industries were most at risk for injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls.

Contact with Objects and Equipment

Before 2020, contact with objects and equipment was the third leading cause of injury and illness at work. This category of workplace injury includes:

• Workers being struck by moving objects;
• Squeeze, pinch, compression, and crush injuries;
• A worker being struck, caught, or crushed in collapsing structure, equipment, or material;
• Injuries caused by friction or pressure between the person and the source of injury; and
• Injuries caused by vibration.

Steps to Take After a Workplace Injury

If you experienced an injury, there are steps you should take to protect yourself, your family, and your right to compensation.

#1 Notify Your Employer

After a workplace injury, the first thing you should do after seeking first aid is to notify your employer. In most workplaces, your employer will have an accident report you must complete. If your employer does not have an accident report, make one yourself by explaining when, where, and how the injury occurred. Give a copy to your employer and keep one for yourself.

#2 Keep a Record of Everything

Obtaining compensation often turns on seemingly trivial details. To preserve your right to file a lawsuit, keep an accurate record of the details of the accident, your medical care treatment, information about anyone who witnessed the accident, and other circumstances that might be important.

#3 Contact an Experienced Work Injury Lawyer

Understanding your right to compensation after a workplace injury can be difficult. In most cases, you will be entitled to benefits through workers’ compensation. But if a third party is responsible for causing your workplace injuries, you may be entitled to additional compensation through a lawsuit. A lawyer can analyze your situation to determine whether you are entitled to additional compensation.

Benefits of Hiring a Workplace Injury Lawyer

There are complex nuances in the interplay between the workers’ compensation system and a personal injury claim against a third party. The experienced lawyers at Michigan Injury Attorneys can analyze your situation to identify all potential sources of compensation.

In some cases, filing a third-party lawsuit may be necessary. When you file a workplace injury lawsuit, you can seek broader compensation, including payment for:

• Past and future medical expenses, including therapy or rehabilitation;
• Lost wages;
• Reduction in future earning potential;
• Permanent injury or disability;
• Pain and suffering;
• Damage to quality of life;
• Loss of your companionship for your spouse or partner;
• Adaptive equipment or modifications, such as alterations to your home or vehicle to accommodate a wheelchair; and
• Incidental costs, such as the expense of traveling for medical care.

Contact Our Workplace Injury Lawyers Today

A workplace injury can be devastating. If you were hurt on the job, the lawyers at Michigan Injury Attorneys can help by pursuing all avenues of compensation.

We understand that after a workplace injury, hiring a lawyer is often the furthest thing from your mind. Unfortunately, you only have a limited period of time in which to file a claim. Once the statute of limitation expires, you can no longer file a personal injury lawsuit, no matter how serious your injuries were.

We will carefully analyze your situation, explain your options, and protect your rights. Our workplace injury lawyers work hard to achieve a fair and favorable settlement as quickly as possible. But when a lawsuit is the only option, our experienced litigators are well-equipped to represent you at trial.

To learn more about how we can help, contact Michigan Injury Attorneys today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.