Common Workplace Injuries

Most employers honestly have their employees’ best interests at heart. But, whether it is due to an oversight, a poorly thought-out workplace policy, or an employer prioritizing profit over worker safety, accidents happen. When they do, injured workers can pursue a Charlotte workers’ compensation claim to obtain meaningful benefits that can cover their medical expenses and lost wages.

At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, we’ve assembled a team of work injury lawyers who effectively and efficiently pursue benefits on behalf of employees in every industry. We offer free consultations to all prospective clients, so give us a call if you are interested in learning more about the most common workplace injuries and whether you may be eligible for benefits.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Worker's compensation is an insurance-based system that provides wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment while limiting an employer’s potential liability. The North Carolina workers’ compensation program is a no-fault system, meaning it is irrelevant who caused the injury; the only question is whether a worker’s injury or illness was caused by or related to their employment.

North Carolina is a hub for certain industries, such as food processing and manufacturing, furniture manufacturing, energy, tourism and textile manufacturing. So, while every job presents its own unique risks, the most common workplace injuries are those that are most likely to occur in North Carolina’s largest industries. Below is a list of some common occupational injuries in North Carolina:

Occupational Diseases: Workers may develop illnesses related to their work environment or occupational exposure, such as asbestos-related diseases, cancer, COVID-19 or occupational asthma.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Workers may experience physical, emotional, cognitive, or behavioral symptoms after being exposed to a traumatic event. Some workers experience these reactions right away, but others may not notice any symptoms until weeks or months later.

Overexertion Injuries: Overexertion injuries include soft tissue injuries and musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff injuries, tendinitis, epicondylitis, muscle strains, and sprains. Overexertion injuries are typically caused by sudden or prolonged exposure to force, repetitive motion, or vibration.

Degenerative Disc Disease: Degenerative disc disease is a condition in which wear-and-tear on a spinal disc causes pain, instability, and other symptoms. Employment can contribute to the development or exacerbation of degenerative disc disease in several ways, particularly in occupations involving prolonged sitting, heavy physical labor, repetitive movements, and frequent exposure to vibration.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that typically affects one of the limbs and usually occurs after an injury or trauma to that limb. Injuries sustained at the workplace, such as fractures or sprains, can trigger the onset of CRPS. CRPS can also develop as a result of a repetitive stress injury.

Nerve Damage: Nerve damage, or peripheral neuropathy, is a condition in which the nerves become damaged or diseased, resulting in symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and other sensations. Those workers whose occupations involve repetitive motion, exposure to toxins or vibration, or frequent pressure placed on the nerves are most at risk.

While these are some of the most common workplace injuries, there are many other less common occupational injuries that can make you eligible for benefits.

If you or someone in your family was recently hurt in a work accident, the Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys at the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, are here to assist you. At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, we have decades of combined experience obtaining maximum benefits awards for workers across all industries. We command a deep knowledge of the workers’ comp laws, which we rely on as we efficiently investigate, prepare, and submit your claim. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with one of our Charlotte work injury lawyers, give us a call at 704-405-2580. You can also reach our Cabarrus County workers’ compensation attorneys at 704-918-4747. We proudly represent clients in Charlotte, Concord and Kannapolis, as well as throughout Mecklenburg, Gaston, Iredell, Rowan, and Union Counties.