Occupational Diseases and Injuries from Traffic Accidents

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How Occupational Diseases and Injuries Occur from Traffic Accidents
Injuries that originate at work and those that are caused by traffic accidents are among the most common in the general population.

It is important to note that both types of situations have consequences on people’s job performance according to the degree of severity. Rest periods, lost wages and permanent limitations are just some of the consequences that the occurrence of these circumstances can leave.

Occupational diseases, occupational diseases, occupational injuries or injuries at work, are health conditions that occur as a consequence of work activity, either due to the routine of movements and efforts made by the worker or due to the occurrence of an accident during their labors.

According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) statistics, around 3.3 million workers experience occupational injuries or illnesses, and an even greater number are at risk of some type of occupational disease from continued exposure. toxic chemicals.

The reasons why occupational diseases are generated are diverse. They depend in the first place on the nature of the work activity and its implications, as well as the risks to which the worker is exposed.

Many times, failures in the prevention of said risks by the employer or the worker, give rise to occupational accidents or the appearance of chronic diseases that are a direct consequence of the professional activity, generating in turn absenteeism from work, compensation claims and medical costs, among others.

On the other hand, car accidents also tend to cause health damages that impact the working lives of the victims, with costs similar to those mentioned above.

Laws Related to Work Injuries and Car Accidents in Washington State
The state of Washington provides protection to workers who have suffered injuries on the job through the Department of Labor and Industries.

Depending on each particular case, a worker can receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages or total or partial disability.

If you suffer an accident at work or develop an occupational disease, you should immediately seek medical attention and tell your doctor that it is one of these cases. You should also report the situation to your employer.

Occupational disease may be due to violations of safety standards by your employer. In this case, it is recommended that you contact a work injury attorney for advice on this matter.

If you have been in a car accident in Washington state, you should file a police report. The responsibility for the loss will be determined according to the Washington Comparative Negligence Law, and according to the result, you will be able to obtain compensation equivalent to your degree of not guilt.

The Most Common Work Injuries and Injuries Caused by Traffic Accidents
Among the most common workplace injuries and damages caused by traffic accidents, generally are the following:

Knee injuries These types of conditions were the second most common in 2010 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) resulting in at least one day of absenteeism from work. Repetitive knee movements, moving heavy loads, slips, trips, bumps, and falls are the most common ways a worker can injure their knee.

Ligament tears, bursitis, tendinitis, chondromalacia, and cartilage disorders are common among occupational diseases, while fractures, sprains, sprains, and torn menisci are among the main consequences of workplace accidents.

On the other hand, knee injuries caused by car crashes usually occur from the impact of the knee on the dashboard of the vehicle, when being pushed towards it. Among the most common injuries are the rupture of the patella and the rupture of the meniscus.

Brain injuries. In the work environment, these types of incidents can occur as a result of a fall from a considerable height, such as a scaffold or a high floor of a construction site. Also due to slipping or hitting other objects.

With regard to car accidents, a brain injury normally occurs due to the impact of the victim’s head with the windshield or the dashboard of the car, generating two types of injuries: a primary one (fracture, contusion, clots, nerve damage) and a secondary one (brain swelling, hematoma, fever, high / low blood pressure, heart and lung conditions).

Shoulder injuries At the work level, the shoulder can suffer what is called degenerative rotator cuff disease, as well as subacromial bursitis.

These injuries result from performing tasks with the elbows up, or those that place stress on the tendons such as lifting or reaching for objects and other repetitive movements that involve the arms.

In a collision, on the other hand, damage to the shoulder occurs because the seat belt only covers one of them, putting pressure at the moment of impact and generating bruises, sprains and torn ligaments.

Herniated discs and bulging discs. These are damages to the spinal column that are produced by compression and displacement of the intervertebral discs.

Occupational hazards associated with these ailments include activities that require lifting, pulling, or pushing heavy objects, but also low-activity jobs in which the person remains seated, without adequate lumbar support.

Also during an accident, the force of the collision can cause the intervertebral tissue to swell or break, causing severe pain, loss of sensation and muscle control in the arms and legs.

Broken bones (fractures). Falls and bumps are the main cause of fractures at work, especially in the construction sector, where workers carry out their activities at high altitudes and often have equipment, tools and objects around them that represent a high risk to their safety.

Whereas, in a vehicle collision, fractures are very frequent due to the very nature of the accident. Basically any bone in the body can be broken due to the strong impact received.