When one thinks of being injured in an industrial accident, they may think of injuries such as crush injuries or falls. Yet there are a myriad of injuries an industrial worker in Arizona could suffer while on the job.
For example, depending on what type of product is being produced, workers can suffer lung problems. This is often the case if a worker is brought into contact with dangerous chemicals or irritants that he or she inhales. Similarly, airborne chemicals and other particles can cause eye injuries.
In addition, working near loud machinery can cause hearing loss. This can happen even if a worker uses earplugs or other forms of hearing protection. Hearing loss is often gradual and, thus, easy to miss.
Another type of industrial injury that workers can sustain is hand injuries. This is especially true if an employee works on an assembly line or other position in which they use repetitive hand movements for a long time. Also, workers who have to lift or carry heavy objects could suffer from back pain or hernias.
Finally, mental stress while on the job can lead to a heart attack. Heart attacks due to stress on the job may occur anywhere, even outside the workplace.
Industrial workers who suffer any of these injuries could find their lives turned upside down, going from good health to poor health over the span of many years. They may eventually find themselves unable to perform the job duties that they have been doing for years. This could result in a loss of income, not to mention the medical expenses that they incur in treating their injuries. In some cases, they may be unable to return to work altogether.
When this happens, workers may want to pursue workers’ compensation benefits. Doing so may allow them to seek the financial benefits they need to treat their injuries.
Source: FindLaw, “Workers’ Compensation: Questions and Answers,” accessed Nov. 17, 2014
