COMMON TYPES OF
PORTLAND WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS

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Different Types of Accidents at Work in Portland

Common Types of Workplace Accidents

What Are the Most Common Types of Work-Related Accidents in Portland

Every accident is unique, but there are certainly some types of accidents that occur at workplaces more frequently than others. Of all accidents and workplace injuries, here are a few of the most common injuries.

Construction Site Accidents in Portland

From scaffolding to power tools, construction sites represent a significant danger for workers, even under the best of conditions. These risks are even higher when property owners and contractors fail to maintain proper safety protocols on the site.

Lifting, twisting, and maneuvering around a construction site often create the risk of torn ligaments or tendons, as well as injuries to the spine, like herniated or bulging discs. Many construction workers are also at the mercy of the elements, having to perform highly skilled and physically taxing work in freezing cold conditions or extreme heat.

A few examples of common yet serious construction site injuries include:

  • Falls from scaffolding
  • Respiratory exposure/chemical exposure
  • Ladder injuries (falls or strikes to the head while being carried)
  • Electrocution

Portland Slip & Fall Accidents

Workplace falls are one of the most frequent types of injuries that result in workers’ compensation claims. In fact, they are also the most common accidents that tend to result in OSHA violations against employers.

Falls can happen anywhere – not just a construction site. Employees in office jobs, factories, hospitality careers, healthcare, or just about any other type of job can suffer a fall. Something as simple as an unlevel or wet surface can present a risk. Common falls include:

  • Ladders
  • Step stools
  • Slip and fall
  • Trip on an object or uneven surfaces
  • Wet surfaces
  • Ice or snow-related falls
  • Falls while carrying objects
  • Falls from elevations

Machinery/Equipment Accidents in Portland

Hydraulic, gas-powered, or electrical tools and equipment used in factories and manufacturing plants tend to present a uniquely severe threat of harm to operators and those who work on or around the equipment. Even simple hand tools can cause injuries. Common machinery injuries include:

  • Smashed arms, fingers, legs, and feet
  • Injuries from power trucks and forklifts
  • Amputations
  • Crushing injuries
  • Cuts and deep lacerations
  • Electrocutions

Portland Car Accidents

We often think of car accidents as something that happens on our way to or from work. But many people drive for work or as part of work. Truck drivers, mobile salespersons, sales agents, traveling nurses, and caregivers, as well as plenty of other careers, require employees to operate a vehicle on a regular basis.

Of the millions of auto accidents nationwide each year, there were 37,461 lives lost on the road in 2016 alone, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). With so many crashes happening, workers who must drive for a living are far more likely to be involved in a collision, simply by virtue of driving more.

If a person is hurt in a car crash while on the job, that worker may have a right to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of who was at fault. A few common examples of situations where a person may have a claim based on a car accident are:

  • Truck driver hurt in an accident
  • Caregiver traveling between assignments
  • Couriers
  • Sales agents on their way to or from a client meeting
  • Utility workers injured in their work trucks
  • Construction workers traveling for the purpose of work

Physical Attacks and Assaults in Portland, OR

While assaults and physical attacks are generally considered intentional acts, as opposed to workplace injuries, there are times when the two are one and the same.  Jobs that involve personal security or working in or around law enforcement facilities or places that serve alcohol are generally at a higher risk of exposure to physical attacks.

For instance, the following types of employees may be at risk of injury due to assaults or attacks:

  • Bouncers
  • Bodyguards
  • Security guards
  • Prison or corrections staff
  • High-conflict positions dealing with the public
  • Bartenders and nightclub staff

Of course, just about all workers could potentially become the victim of an attack. Depending on the specific circumstances, there may be times where an assault could be classified as a workplace injury.

Animal Bites or Similar Injuries

Professions that work with animals on a regular basis often suffer a lot of injuries, from scratches and bites to deep cuts and infections or worse. Common jobs that may encounter animal bites are:

  • Zoo employees
  • Veterinary techs and other staff
  • Groomers
  • Pet boarding
  • Pet walkers or sitters
  • Pet store employees

Understanding Your Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Portland

If you are hurt at work, you must report your injury to your employer right away. There are strict deadlines on filing a claim for benefits, and if you are denied, you do not have a lot of time to file your request for reconsideration with the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division.

If you have a serious injury and you need to be compensated for your medical bills, time off work, lost income, and disabilities caused by the injury, then you should not take chances with your case.  Did you know, even if you are denied initially, you have a right to dispute the denial? Here are just a few examples of things you, as the injured worker, can dispute:

  • Timing of the denial
  • Whether all the evidence was properly reviewed
  • Length of temporary benefits authorized
  • Appropriateness of award
  • Denial of permanent disability
  • Reasonableness of medical care
  • Accuracy of a diagnosis

Getting Experienced Assistance From a Work Accident Attorney in Portland Throughout the Workers’ Compensation Process

Do not trust your case to just any attorney. Hire a workers’ compensation lawyer with decades of experience handling claims and appeals for injured workers. The Law Office of Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C. handles claims for seriously injured workers throughout the State of Oregon.

You and your family should be forced to suffer needlessly at the hands of your employer’s insurance company. Their goal is to find ways to avoid paying you. Rest assured the insurance company has plenty of lawyers working hard to keep you from being compensated. Balance the equation by putting our office to work for you today, call or contact us today for a consultation!