When you think of common workplace injuries, you may think of a construction worker falling off a ladder or a truck driver hurt in a car crash. Those may be common injuries for workers in America, but the most common workplace injury may surprise you. Knowing the risks is the first step for American workers to protect themselves and their livelihoods every day. The Alberhasky Law Firm is here to help with trusted workers’ compensation legal services for those who have been injured. Read on to learn more in today’s blog.
The Most Common Workplace Injury in America is Hearing Loss
It may come as a surprise, but the most common injury that American workers face today is hearing loss due to workplace conditions. More than 22 million American workers are estimated to work under conditions that are hazardous due to occupational noise. Annual workers’ compensation claims in the United States are estimated to top $224 million for workplace injury and disability due to hearing loss. Every worker should be aware of just how common the risk of hearing loss is.Why is Hearing Loss So Common in the Workplace?
It can be difficult to pin down specific risk factors across so many industries and workplaces. Knowing the risk is the first step to protecting yourself from physical and financial damages, so identifying risk factors is very important. One identifiable risk factor for hearing loss is the accumulation of minor damage to hearing over a long period of time. Noise levels that might not cause discomfort may still be loud enough to be hazardous to your hearing over time. Employees and employers may underestimate the need for protective equipment if the noise level doesn’t seem loud enough to damage hearing. This is why workplaces with moderate noise levels can be more harmful than workplaces with severe noise levels. Protective equipment can save workers from a debilitating workplace injury that can ruin a hard-earned professional career. If you have been injured in this way, speak to a workers’ compensation attorney and discuss your options.How to Reduce Risks and Prevent Hearing Loss
The most important way to protect yourself and prevent hearing loss is to understand the risks. Especially for those in workplaces with constant exposure to moderate noise levels, it is important to know that even if the noise isn’t loud enough to hurt now that doesn’t mean it won’t hurt later after months and years of accumulated damage. So wear hearing protection equipment, even if the noise level is only moderate. Communicate with your employer about noise levels; it will save you and your co-workers from injury, and it will save your employer the cost of workers’ compensation expenses and lost labor due to injured workers.Knowledgeable Workers’ Compensation
At Alberhasky Law Firm, our experienced and trusted team of workers’ compensation attorneys are here to defend the rights of injured American workers. We are always pursuing the most up-to-date knowledge of workers’ compensation claims across all industries and injuries, so we are always ready to provide the best legal representation for our clients. Contact us today to find out how we can help you!About the Author
When it comes to workers’ compensation cases, Randy Alberhasky has over 25 years of experience. During his legal career he has personally tried over 200 workers’ compensation hearings and jury trials in courts throughout the State of Missouri. Many people who have suffered from a workplace injury and illness are unaware of the legal action they can take to receive the financial compensation that they’re entitled to. The Alberhasky Law Firm, P.C. is proud to help our clients receive the compensation they deserve.
