When Colorado Doctors & Nurses Are Hurt On The Job: Workers’ Compensation for Healthcare Workers
When doctors and nurses are the ones injured on the job, the Babcock Law Firm helps them get the compensation they deserve.
When doctors and nurses are putting in long hours helping their patients, things can sometimes go wrong. While most people think about injuries in the context of a doctor or nurse accidentally harming a patient (medical malpractice), those medical professionals can suffer their own injuries in some instances.
In Colorado, when nurses or doctors are hurt on the job, they are entitled to some recovery. In order to get the compensation they deserve, an injured worker must properly file their workers’ compensation claim from the start.
Given the vital role that medical professionals play in society, it’s critical that they get the best possible legal representation when they themselves are hurt on the job. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can make sure you’re protected if you fall into this category.
Common injuries for nurses and doctors
You may be surprised to learn that hospitals rank among the most dangerous workplaces in the U.S. In 2019 alone, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported 221,400 cases of work-related injuries and illnesses in hospitals, a rate of 5.5 incidents for every 100 full-time workers. Remarkably, this rate was nearly double that of the overall private sector.
Below are some of the top causes of injuries to nurses, doctors and other healthcare providers.
Overexertion
Some of the most common injuries for medical professionals are related to overexertion. Simply put, working in the medical field is difficult and stressful. It is common for nurses, in particular, to develop musculoskeletal disorders when they have to put in long hours. Many will experience back and neck problems, for instance. These conditions can be associated with lengthy periods of standing and walking.
Contact with objects
Contact with heavy or sharp objects is a prevalent source of injury within the healthcare sector, often leading to accidents among staff. Whether it’s due to mishandling medical equipment, collisions with mobile carts, or encounters with sharp instruments, such incidents contribute significantly to the workplace hazards faced by healthcare professionals.
Exposure to hazardous substances
Exposure to hazardous substances is another common cause of injury in the healthcare environment, posing significant risks to the well-being of medical staff. From handling medications and disinfectants to encountering biological hazards like bloodborne pathogens, healthcare professionals navigate a minefield of potential exposures daily.
Slips, trips and falls
Slips and falls are also a major concern. While most hospitals do their best to keep working environments safe and clean, no facility is perfect. Wet floors, cluttered hallways and uneven surfaces can lead to these accidents, often resulting in significant injuries.
Violence
Violence is a serious threat to healthcare workers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses and other healthcare workers face a significantly higher risk of workplace violence like battery and assault, being 5 times more likely to experience such incidents compared to workers in other sectors.
In environments where stress levels are high, such as emergency rooms and psychiatric units, nurses frequently encounter situations where patients who might be distressed, suffering from mental health issues, or under the influence of substances can become aggressive.
These confrontations not only threaten the physical safety of nurses but also impact their emotional and mental well-being.
Overview of Occupational Diseases and Injuries
Learn how to get workers’ comp benefits for occupational diseases like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Workers’ comp for nurses and doctors in Colorado
What can a medical worker do to get compensation after an on-the-job injury?
Colorado has a system of workers’ compensation designed to provide certain benefits for employees who are hurt on the job.
Rather than filing a lawsuit against your employer (as you might have done without the benefit of workers’ comp), healthcare workers who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses due to their job can file a workers’ compensation claim.
With workers’ compensation in Colorado, you can receive benefits for your medical expenses, lost wages, vocational rehabilitation, and more.
The system is designed to be fair and efficient without the burden of having to prove that anyone was at fault for your injury or illness to receive compensation. Despite this design, you may benefit from having a lawyer to help ensure that you follow all necessary procedures and adhere to filing deadlines.
Encountering problems with workers’ compensation
While a perfect world would see all doctors and nurses get prompt payment when they are hurt on the job, hospitals and the insurance companies that cover them are often difficult to deal with.
Hospitals and insurance agents can sometimes delay in order to investigate the claim. They may accuse you of committing workers’ comp fraud. They may simply refuse to pay out the claim in a timely manner.
If your injury claim is denied or taking too long, hiring a good lawyer should be your next step. You’ll benefit from the legal expertise an attorney can offer, as well as the lawyer’s ability to move your claim along more quickly. When you’re out of work, getting your payment in a hurry is a major concern.
Trying to navigate the workers’ compensation system on your own will often lead to delays and mishaps. A good lawyer can ensure that hardworking medical professionals get what they need so they can get back to good health — and continue healing others.
Contact the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at the Babcock Law Firm today for your free consultation.
Workers’ Comp Benefits for Injured Colorado Airline Workers
A complete guide for airline workers injured on the job, including the necessary steps to file a workers’ comp claim in Colorado.
