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Workplace safety issues in Minnesota

On Behalf of | Mar 31, 2015 | Uncategorized |

Despite the fact that the overall number of workplace injuries has declined, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicating that there are an average of 3.3 million work-related injuries and illnesses annually compared to double that number 20 years ago, there is still a lot of room for improvements. Although progress has been made in a number of industries in Minnesota and around the country thanks to improved safety regulations and training, many occupations, such as those in the construction and oil industry, can still be fairly dangerous.

Additionally, there are a number of professions that are seemingly safe that still present risks to workers. For example, members of the nursing profession often suffer ergonomic injuries related to moving patients. Numerous jobs also cause work-related injuries due to repetitive motion, with carpal tunnel syndrome being a well-known concern.

Aside from the loss of productivity to an employer and the suffering of the employee, work related injuries are expensive. Research done by a professor of health economics at the Center for Healthcare Policy and Research at the University of California, Davis, has determined that these injuries and medical conditions cost an approximate $250 billion to businesses and taxpayers every year.

If someone is injured due to a workplace accident or develops a medical condition as a result of their job, they are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits cover lost wages and medical treatment as well as offering payouts for temporary and permanent disabilities. A lawyer can be of assistance during the claim filing process as well as in subsequent hearings should the claim be disputed or denied by the employer or its insurance carrier.

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