Lifting and Moving Patients Leaves Nurses with More Injuries than Construction Workers

Nurses throughout the U.S. play a significant role in caring for individuals and families in their time of need — and even more so in the last several years since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether they work in emergency rooms, hospital units, nursing homes, or a doctor’s office, ensuring basic healthcare needs are met, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nurses suffer nonfatal job-related injuries and illnesses at a rate that is “significantly greater than the rate for all occupations.”

Our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys at Waple & Houk, PLLC understand the challenges our North Carolina nurses face daily. This is why we are here to help them navigate complex claims that impact their ability to seek the benefits they are entitled to from the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation system.

North Carolina Healthcare Workers Routinely Face Workplace Injury Risks

Highlighted as “One of America’s Most Dangerous Jobs” by the Washington Post, it was reported that “lifting and moving patients leaves nurses with more injuries than construction workers.” This article and others made it more explicit that nurses faced extraordinary workplace risks, even before (and still after) placing themselves on the frontline of a worldwide pandemic.

Based on the BLS’s data, the most prevalent risks of all injuries and illnesses for nurses are:

• 6%: Overexertion and bodily reaction.
• 0%: Falls, slips, and trips.
• 2%: Violence and injuries caused by other persons.
• 8%: Contact with objects or equipment.
• 8%: Transportation incidents.
• 3%: Exposure to harmful substances or environments.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s acting Regional Manager said, “Our nation’s caregivers have made extraordinary sacrifices in recent years, and we owe it to them to ensure their employers are doing all they can to protect their employees.”

At Waple & Houk, PLLC, our workers’ compensation attorneys for nurses could not agree more. If you work at a North Carolina healthcare facility and have been injured at work, we want to help ensure you have access to the benefits you are entitled to to regain control of your life.

What are the Eligibility Criteria for North Carolina Nurses Pursuing Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

The essential eligibility criteria for North Carolina nurses to pursue workers’ compensation benefits include:

• The injury or illness is job-related.
• The nurse is an “employee” and not an “independent contractor” of their organization.

Contact Our Experienced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina Today

If you have been hurt while working as a nurse in North Carolina, contact our dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys in Charlotte today by phone at (704)-954-8697 or schedule a free consultation online to learn more about how we can help you pursue the best outcome for your injury claim.