Most workers are entitled to claim workers’ compensation if injured at work. Or if they pick up an illness at work. One of the categories of employees most at risk of these two things is nurses.
Here are some of the specific dangers nurses must negotiate on an everyday basis:
Infectious diseases
If someone has an infectious disease, the place they go to get it diagnosed and treated is typically a hospital or health care center. For the nurses that work there, there is always a chance they catch the contagious diseases people bring as they have to be in close proximity to their patients.
Dirty needles
Those with drug addiction problems may need to visit a hospital for all sorts of reasons. They might forget they have a used needle in their pocket, or be too out of it to even realize. A nurse could easily come into contact with the sharp end of the needle when moving the patient, and any infection on the needle could transfer into their bloodstream.
Back injuries
Moving people is part and parcel of the job for a nurse, no matter how small they are and how large the patient is. It’s not like lifting a static box where you can take your time, bend your knees and so on. Nurses may need to move someone fast and from an awkward position, perhaps while the person continues to move or flail. This can increase the risk of injury.
Learning how to build a solid claim can increase the chance you get the total amount of compensation you are due.
