Springfield Medical Professionals Work Injuries Lawyer
Helping Healthcare Workers Secure Missouri Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Healthcare professionals are an essential part of our society, providing invaluable services to our communities. However, the nature of their work often exposes them to a wide range of occupational hazards, making them susceptible to various types of injuries.
People who work in the healthcare industry face some of the highest rates of workplace injury. However, the hazards facing a physician, nurse, radiology technician, emergency medical technician, or other healthcare worker might not be as obvious as those faced by construction, transportation, or factory/warehouse workers in extremely high risk environments.
Nevertheless, understanding the risks and the cause of medical professional injuries can highlight the importance of workers' compensation for healthcare workers.
If you work in the healthcare industry and you've been hurt on the job, you need the experienced and informed counsel of our workers’ compensation lawyers at Webster & Carlton. We offer free consultations to discuss the details of your situation and can outline your options for moving forward.
Types of Injuries Healthcare Workers Face
Healthcare professionals can be exposed to several types of injuries due to the nature of their work.
These can include but are not limited to:
- Back injuries: These can occur from lifting and moving patients, such as from beds to wheelchairs.
- Needle sticks: Sharp objects such as needles, scalpels, or other medical instruments can cause injuries, exposing healthcare professionals to various blood-borne diseases.
- Slips, trips and falls: Wet or slippery floors, cluttered work areas, or improper footwear can lead to slip-and-fall accidents.
- Violence from agitated patients: These outbursts can lead to bruises, sprains, falls, dislocations, and even fractures.
- Infectious diseases: Healthcare workers are at high risk of contracting infectious diseases, including COVID-19, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and HIV.
- Chemical exposure: Exposure to harmful chemicals used in medical procedures can cause burns, respiratory illnesses, and other health problems.
- Latex allergy: A latex allergy is an immune system reaction to the proteins found in natural rubber latex, often leading to various symptoms such as skin rash, hives, eye tearing or irritation, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
- Stress: High-stress environments, long working hours, and dealing with patient deaths can lead to psychological issues such as job burnout, anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
Get in touch with our office by using our convenient contact form or by calling us at (417) 545-3775.
Stay In The Know
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Why Do I Need a Missouri Workers’ Compensation Attorney?A workers’ compensation claim can take several months, even years, to resolve, especially if you continue to suffer from the effects of your work-related injury. Your employer and its insurance company will be represented by highly skilled attorneys who know how to exploit an injured employee. You need to level the playing field by hiring a Missouri workers’ compensation lawyer who will fight on your behalf.
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What Happens If My Employer Denies Me Workers’ Compensation Benefits?In many cases, your employer or their insurance company will promptly pay any workers’ compensation benefits. But if they deny benefits–or stop paying them before you receive what you believe you are entitled to under the law–then you have the right to file a claim with the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation. An administrative law judge appointed by the Division will review your claim and either conduct mediation between you and your employer, or alternatively hold a formal hearing to determine your right to compensation.
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What Kinds of Injuries Are Covered?
Under Missouri law, workers’ compensation only covers injuries that arise “out of and in the course of employment.” This includes accidents that occur during your work shift. It also includes “occupational diseases” contracted at work, provided workplace exposure was the “prevailing” cause.
Workers’ compensation is not necessarily limited to injuries suffered at your normal workplace. If your job requires you to travel–i.e., make deliveries or conduct on-site work with clients–you may be compensated for injuries sustained in the course of such travel. However, Missouri workers’ compensation law specifically excludes injuries sustained while commuting from home to work and back, even if you use a company-owned car.
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