Nurses have an important job and provide vital services to injured and sick patients in need of medical assistance. While this job is a noble pursuit, it can also be very dangerous due to how physically demanding the healthcare industry is on nurses in both the public and private sectors. Nurses are also often injured by the very people they are trying to help heal.
According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nurses are exposed to the highest number of non-fatal occupational injury risks than workers in other industries. The following are common injuries among nurses:
- Slips and falls
- Sprains and strains
- Needle sticks
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Infections
- Bloodborne infectious diseases
- Slipped discs
- Overexertion/repetitive stress
Can Nurses File for Workers’ Compensation?
If you are a nurse who suffered a serious injury while performing work-related duties, you can file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. If your claim is successful, your workers’ compensation benefits can be used to cover your medical expenses and recover lost wages. However, to recover the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to, you will need to prove that the injury is the direct result of the work you performed as a nurse.
You do not have to prove that the hospital you work for was negligent to recover workers’ compensation benefits. If your injury is so severe that you become disabled either permanently or temporarily, you can file for total disability benefits to recover additional compensation.
Ready to Consult with an Experienced Lawyer?
Have you or someone you know who works in the healthcare field suffered a serious injury at work? If so, our lawyers are here to answer all of your questions and to guide you through the legal process to ensure your interests are protected.
Call Smolich and Smolich today at (916) 571-0400 to request your free case review.