What Are the 7 Most Common Workplace Injuries?

From typing-related pain to an excruciating (and humiliating) slip-and-fall, workplace injuries are painfully common. They're so common, in fact, that one in five American adults say that they have suffered an injury while on the job, according to a recent FindLaw survey.

Here are the seven most common employment-related injuries, according to the survey:

1. Musculoskeletal injuries. More than one in three workers (37 percent) reported sustaining musculoskeletal injuries, according to the survey. Musculoskeletal disorders often result from overexertion, lifting heavy objects, typing, and other run-of-the-mill job-related tasks.
2. Slip-and-fall injuries. Of those surveyed, 31 percent suffered slip-and-fall injuries related to their employment. If you take a nasty spill at work and get hurt, you can potentially get workers' comp for your injuries, even if they resulted from your own negligence. This is because worker's compensation is a no-fault system.
3. Repetitive motion injuries. Have you ever suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome at work? If so, you're not alone: 20 percent of those surveyed reported suffering work-related injuries caused by repetitive motion -- a specific sphere of musculoskeletal injury. Fortunately, repetitive motion injuries are typically covered by workers' compensation.
4. Injured by machinery or struck by object. Some 17 percent of surveyed individuals reported injuries related to potentially dangerous office equipment, machinery, and objects. From defective machinery and equipment to improper maintenance, employees who suffer injuries from such items can look into workers' comp as well as product liability claims against the manufacturer.
5. Motor vehicle accidents. Twelve percent of surveyed workers reported suffering on-the-job injuries related to car accidents. Even if you were in your own car, you may receive workers' comp for injuries that you suffered while on the clock or in the scope of employment.
6. Workplace violence. According to the survey's results, workplace violence, such as physical assault from a co-worker, is a hazard that 5 percent of surveyed individuals reported experiencing. Those concerned about workplace violence should encourage their employers to take preventative measures.
7. Burns. About 3 percent of surveyed workers sustained heat or chemical burns at work. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that several types of burns may occur at work, including thermal burns, electrical burns, and chemical burns. Employers are required to follow workplace safety rules set forth by OSHA and provide protective equipment, if necessary.

For extra guidance on work-related injuries, you may want to consult an experienced employment lawyer near you.

Related Resources:

• Workers' Compensation: Can I Sue My Employer Instead? (FindLaw)
• Legal How-To: Filing a Workers' Comp Claim (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
• Workers' Comp Not Working For Low-Wage Employees (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
• 100 Sled Dogs Killed: Man Gets Workers' Comp (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)