Why does falling from a height lead to many workers’ compensation claims?

Any fall has the potential to lead to serious injuries. When workers fall from ladders, roofs or scaffolding, the harm they suffer is often even more severe. What should you know about the risks that falling can create?
How many workers suffer serious injuries in a fall?
Every year, many workers file for compensation due to injuries from falls at their workplaces. Falling from heights is one of the main reasons for these claims. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that in 2020 alone more than 200,000 workers to spend time away from work for to recover from a fall.
Hundreds of falls each year also have fatal consequences. Even a fall from a smaller height can prove deadly, with many falls from as little as six feet off the ground resulting in a death.
4 common fall-related injuries
Falls – especially falls from ladders, scaffolding and other elevated areas – often leave employees unable to work because of the serious injuries they can cause. Some of these injuries include:

Broken bones: Falling from a significant height can easily break bones. The most common fractures happen in the arms, legs, and back. These injuries can be very painful and take a long time to heal.
Head injuries: When workers fall and hit their heads, they can suffer from concussions or even more severe brain injuries. These types of injuries can affect their ability to work and perform daily activities.
Spinal cord injuries: A fall can damage the spinal cord, which can lead to partial or complete paralysis. This type of injury can change a person’s life drastically, often requiring long-term medical care.
Sprains and strains: Not all fall injuries are life-threatening, but even less severe injuries like sprains and strains can keep a worker off the job for weeks.

Thankfully, workers’ compensation can provide benefits to injured workers that pay for medical expenses, to make up for lost paychecks and support families if they lose a loved one in a workplace accident. These benefits can be key for people who have suffered a fall or other serious accident on the job.The post Why does falling from a height lead to many workers’ compensation claims? first appeared on Foote, Mielke, Chavez & O’Neil, LLC.