Norwich, Connecticut, is home to many nursing homes and facilities. Workers in these facilities perform extremely vital services for patients and their family members.
When a work injury or illness sidelines critical nursing home workers, they need to heal quickly and return to their patients. The workers’ compensation program ensures injured employees get swift medical attention with minimal disruptions in their duties.
Nursing home injury hazards for employees
Working in the healthcare industry comes with many injury risks, including physical damage and mental health issues. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), these are some of the most prevalent injury hazards for nursing home staff:
- Musculoskeletal conditions. Workers in this industry frequently suffer muscle and skeletal injuries from manipulating and handling patients and equipment.
- Fall injuries. Many situations arise in nursing homes that lead to dangerous slip and fall accidents. Examples include wet floors, the presence of debris and working in busy environments.
- Exposure to illness. Getting stuck with a dirty needle or working near sick patients can put workers at increased risk of contracting illnesses, infections and diseases. Tuberculosis and hepatitis are two examples of contagious conditions.
- Workplace violence. Nursing home patients with mental conditions or dementia can sometimes behave violently and injure staff members.
- Exposure to hazardous substances. From medicines to cleaning products, nursing homes typically contain many dangerous substances that could lead to an illness or injury.
You deserve the benefits a successful workers’ comp claim can provide. If you are having trouble with your claim or it was denied, learning more about workers’ compensation laws can ensure you find a solution.
