Common Work Injuries that Affect Women | Bloomington Work Comp Lawyer

More women are in the workforce than ever before, and although men still suffer more injuries on the job, women suffer fatal work injuries at a higher rate than their male counterparts. Work injuries are not unique to men, and in fact, certain injuries are more likely to affect women. Below, we take a look at some of the most common injuries suffered by women in the workplace, and how they can receive compensation.

Leading Causes of Work Injuries To Female Employees

Here’s a look at some of the more common injuries that regularly or disproportionately affect women.

1. Carpal Tunnel Injuries – Carpal tunnel and repetitive stress injuries are common for women who use their hands and fingers to type or perform data entry on computers. These injuries are also common for women who work in manufacturing plants or on assembly lines performing the same movements day in and day out. If you performed repetitive tasks in the past, but are suffering the effects later in life, you may still be eligible for workers’ compensation.

2. Stress-Related Injuries – Every job comes with its own stresses and pressures, but some of these are unique to women. They may face stresses from strict time constraints, gender bias and unreasonable productivity expectations. Women face unique pressures on the job, and this can lead to stress-related injuries stemming from lack of focus, trying to do too much, or other ways in which stress can harm us physically and emotionally.

3. Psychological Injuries – Women who are dealing with depression, anxiety or fatigue are more likely to suffer an on the job injury, according to findings published in Science Daily. Taking care of your mental health can help keep you physically safe on the job, so if you aren’t in a good head space, consider asking for help or seeking professional assistance.

4. Chemical Exposure – More women are pursuing careers in biotechnology and chemical engineering, and these industries require you to work closely with potentially dangerous chemicals. Exposure to toxic fumes or having an irritant come in contact with your skin can lead to serious injuries.

5. Slips and Trips – Slip and fall injuries happen to both males and females, but there’s one industry where they are much more common for women – the service industry. Women are more likely to work as wait staff in restaurants and bars, which can be hectic work environments. People are moving everywhere, the floor can get wet and slippery, and servers are often carrying hot or heavy dishes, all of which can contribute to injury.

6. Healthcare-Related Injuries – Women are also more prevalent in the healthcare industry, and they are often asked to perform a number of tasks that can lead to injury. From regularly being exposed to sick patients to having to help lift patients onto beds and operating tables, muscle strains and tears are common among nurses and nursing assistants. They are also on their feet a good portion of the day, which can result in back and foot injuries if they aren’t careful.

If you’ve been injured in Minnesota and are wondering about your compensation options, consider reaching out to Dean Margolis at his team at Margolis Law Firm today.