Even when performing simple tasks like changing a light bulb or opening the mail, there is a chance of suffering a hand injury. For those who work in the oil and gas industry in New Jersey, the risk of a serious injury to that part of the body is even higher. It is estimated that an oil or gas worker must use 30 to 40 percent more effort to grip a slippery item without dropping it.
Therefore, it is not surprising to learn that an average worker will lose 25 days per year to carpal tunnel syndrome. Although a gloved hand may be at a reduced risk of injury at work, a lack of regulation and varying product quality means that a worker may not have this basic form of protection. The loss of productivity because of worker injuries may hurt employers as much as the injury hurts workers.
In one case, a worker was out of work for 94 days because of a thumb injury. Workers’ compensation and other direct costs of the injury totaled $24,000. However, indirect costs such as hiring and training a replacement worker added another $120,000 to that total. Overall, the cost of the accident negated almost an entire month’s worth of profits.
A worker who suffers an injury during the course of his or her employment may be entitled to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can include the provision of necessary medical care as well as a portion of wages lost if the injury prevents the victim from returning to work for a prolonged period. An attorney who has experience with these matters can often be of assistance to a worker in the preparation and submission of the claim.
