What are the Most Common Workplace Injuries in Illinois?

Workplace injuries are not uncommon throughout Illinois. However, even though work injuries happen all the time, victims regularly struggle to secure the compensation they are entitled to. Here, we want to discuss the most common types of work injuries that occur in this state. We also want to discuss what type of compensation injury victims should be entitled to through the workers’ compensation system in Illinois.

Work Injury Statistics

When we examine data available from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, we can see that there were 5,333 total workplace injury fatalities reported across the country during the latest year of data on file. Additionally, there were 2.8 million total non-fatal workplace injuries or illnesses reported during that same year of data.

Common Workplace Injuries in Illinois

Workers in Illinois sustain a wide range of on-the-job injuries. Regardless of what type of industry we look at, we can see that any type of workplace presents certain risks for workers. Some of the most common Illinois workplace injuries include the following:

• Slip and fall injuries. Slip and fall incidents can occur at any type of workplace, which is why these injuries are not uncommon amongst Illinois workers. Some of the most common slip and fall injuries include broken or dislocated bones, severe sprains or strains, concussions, back injuries, and more.
• Repetitive stress injuries. It is not uncommon for Illinois workers to have to repeat the same motions and exertions over and over again throughout the workday. Over time, repetitive stress injuries can develop and significantly debilitated a worker. The most well-known type of repetitive stress injury is carpal tunnel syndrome, but there are certainly others that can lead to long-term complications.
• Vehicle accident injuries. There are all types of workers in Illinois that operate vehicles as part of their job-related duties. This includes police officers, truck drivers, public transportation drivers, salespeople, and more. Vehicle accidents are regular occurrences in Illinois, particularly in crowded metro areas.
• Lacerations. Lacerations can occur in various types of industries, particularly in restaurants, construction, manufacturing, and factory work. Lacerations can take some time to heal and often result in individuals having to take time off of work.
• Contact with an object or equipment. Anytime workers in Illinois operate around larger equipment and heavy machinery, there is a risk of coming into contact with these objects and sustaining an injury. This includes getting caught in between objects, which often results in crush injuries.
• Occupational exposure injuries or illnesses. When workers are exposed to various types of occupational hazards, they can sustain long-term injuries or illnesses. Some of the main hazards in Illinois workplaces include exposure to harmful particulates in the air, loud noises, extreme temperatures, and more.

Recovering Compensation After an Illinois Workplace Injury

Any person who sustains an on-the-job injury in Illinois should be able to recover compensation for their medical bills, most of their lost wages, and even disability benefits in some cases. However, it is not uncommon for workers’ compensation insurance carriers or employers to push back against injury claims. Any person who sustains a workplace injury in Illinois and struggles to recover compensation should work with a skilled Illinois work injury attorney who can handle every aspect of their claim.