The 5 Most Common Workplace Injuries Revealed

As we all know, the workplace is rife with safety hazards. In fact, one in five American adults say that they have suffered an injury while on the job, according to a new FindLaw.com survey.

What's more, the survey found that certain work-related injuries occur much more frequently than others.

Here are the five most common on-the-job injuries, according to the survey:

1. Musculoskeletal injuries. According to the FindLaw.com survey, 37 percent of workers have reported sustaining musculoskeletal injuries affecting the back, neck, shoulders, and limbs. Musculoskeletal disorders often result from overexertion, lifting heavy objects, typing, and other ordinary job-related tasks.
2. Slip-and-fall injuries. Of those surveyed, 31 percent had suffered slip-and-fall injuries related to their employment. Employers should note that worker's compensation is a no-fault system, which means even if workers slip and fall due to their own negligence, they may very well still be entitled to workers' comp for their injuries.
3. Repetitive motion injuries. About 20 percent of those surveyed reported suffering work-related injuries caused by repetitive motion -- a specific sphere of musculoskeletal injury that includes repetitive stress injuries (RSIs), cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), and repeated motion injuries (RMIs). Repetitive motion injuries include common work-related medical conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and are typically covered by workers' compensation.
4. Injured by machinery or struck by object. Employers should also be concerned about workplace safety issues related to potentially dangerous office equipment, machinery, and objects: 17 percent of surveyed individuals reported injuries related to these items. Like slip-and-fall injuries, such incidents could expose employers to premises liability.
5. Motor vehicle accident. About 12 percent of surveyed workers reported suffering on-the-job injuries related to car accidents. When you permit employees to drive company cars (or even their own vehicles) while on the clock, you can potentially be held liable for injuries related to the accident.

For more information on employers' obligations when it comes to on-the-job injuries, you may want to consult an experienced employment lawyer near you.

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Related Resources:

• Legal to Discipline an Injured Employee? (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
• Workers' Compensation: How to Handle an Injured Worker (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
• Small Business Workers' Compensation: 5 Things to Know (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
• 3 Things to Know When Injured Workers Return (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)