Healthcare Worker Injuries: Increased Risk for Nurses and Hospital Aides

Working as a nurse or hospital aide gives you a chance to help others when they need it the most. On the other hand, these healthcare professionals face plenty of risks each day that can lead to serious injuries. This line of work has some of the highest amounts of non-fatal injuries amongst workers, with 562,000 reporting non-fatal injuries in 2023 alone.

Even if you follow safety rules, getting into a workplace accident is sometimes beyond our control. Learn more about the common risks nurses or hospital aides face and what to do if you’re ever injured on the job.

Why Nurses and Hospital Aides Face Higher Injury Risks

Being a nurse or hospital worker is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. The long shifts and permanent understaffing also create an environment where an accident might happen at any time. Some of the most common injuries you might see could be:

• Back and neck injuries from lifting patients or equipment
• Slips, trips, and falls in hospital settings
• Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs)
• Bruises or physical wounds from patient violence
• Injuries from sudden movements
• Exposure-related injuries (needlesticks, toxic fumes, etc.)

Are These Injuries Covered By Workers’ Comp In NY?

In most cases, the state’s workers’ compensation system covers these injuries. It also doesn’t need to be a major accident. Even a minor repetitive strain injury could be enough to qualify, as long as you have the evidence to connect it to your workplace. However, you’ll need to ensure the accident or injury is clearly related to your job duties. This includes showing evidence, such as medical records or accident reports, that document how the injury occurred.

Steps To Take After Your Workplace Injury

Seek Medical Help

Getting medical help as soon as you can should be your first step. Doing this ensures you start a paper trail of what actually happened. Also, many injuries, like strains, don’t appear until weeks or months after the accident. Having a doctor evaluate you can help you stay safe and prevent it from getting worse.

Aside from health, documentation is an important part of your case. Insurance companies are almost always trying to reduce payouts. By having medical evidence, you’re protecting yourself against any scrutiny about how the injury happened.

Report The Incident & File Paperwork

Once you’re safe, report the incident to your supervisor and file your paperwork immediately. New York gives you up to 30 days after your injury to submit a C-3 Form and up to two years to file a claim.

It’s tempting to wait until the last minute, but we recommend you do it as early as possible. Filing near the deadline could trigger some suspicion from the insurance company, which may try to downplay your injuries or say they’re not connected to the accident. Doing this early prevents delays or other issues later.

Gather Evidence

Any sort of successful claim is backed by evidence. Whether it’s photos, witness statements, or medical documentation, you need to show the link between your workplace accident and your injuries. Proving that these two are connected increases the chance of a more favorable outcome in your case.

File Your Claim With Our Workers’ Comp Attorneys

Nurses and hospital aides are constantly being exposed to workplace hazards. If you work in one of these roles and were recently injured, you may be eligible for benefits while you recover. Our Long Island workers’ compensation lawyers have decades of experience helping injured healthcare workers protect their rights and guiding them through this process. Contact us online or at 855-208-9438 to schedule your free consultation with us today.