Injuries on the job happen, despite the best efforts by employers, supervisors, and employees to keep everyone safe. Most employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance to provide coverage for employees who suffer from work-related injuries and illnesses. The injury does not necessarily have to occur at the workplace. If it’s job-related, it will be covered. An Urgent Care facility is often the best choice for the treatment of non-emergency work-related injuries. They provide expert medical care without the lengthy wait times often found at hospital emergency rooms.
Common Work-Related Injuries
Most injuries sustained during normal business operations are covered by workers’ compensation unless the injury is caused by drug or alcohol use or failure to comply with a company’s safety procedures. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Soft tissue injuries: Back, shoulder and neck injuries can be caused by repetitive movements and overexertion. But it’s not just lifting heavy objects that can lead to soft tissue injuries. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive stress injury common in employees who spend most of their time working at a computer.
- Slips trips and falls: These are probably the most common workplace injuries for workers’ comp claims. Wet surfaces, spills, poor lighting, and uneven flooring can lead to injuries that can range from minor sprains to more serious broken bones and head trauma.
- Machinery Accidents & Falling Objects: Improper handling of equipment, mechanical malfunctions, and falling objects can cause serious injuries to eyes, hands, and limbs as well as broken bones and head trauma.
- Crashes and collisions: If you are driving a vehicle on work-related business and are involved in an accident, you are entitled to workers’ compensation insurance for the injuries you’ve sustained. Injuries from accidents with other moving vehicles at a workplace, such as a forklifts, backhoes and excavators are also covered.
What Do I Do If I Experience a Workplace Injury?
If you have a work-related injury, the most important thing is to seek immediate medical treatment even if the injury does not seem severe. Delaying treatment can worsen the injury and lead to complications and longer recovery times. Medical emergencies require treatment at a hospital emergency room, but a local urgent care facility is a great alternative for less severe work-related injuries. They have shorter wait times than ERs and don’t require an appointment while still providing quality care by trained medical professionals. And they will ensure that all the required paperwork is submitted for compliance with state workers’ compensation insurance regulations.
What Medical Expenses Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
In the event of a job-related injury, workers’ comp insurance will cover the expense of immediate care such as an ambulance ride and visit to an emergency room or urgent care clinic. A wide range of medical treatments and procedures deemed necessary by the physician are covered including examinations, diagnostic tests, surgeries, hospital stays, prescriptions, and medical equipment such as crutches and wheelchairs. It’s important to note that workers’ compensation regulations vary by state. For more information on Florida’s workers’ compensation laws, visit the Division of Workers’ Compensation website for information and FAQs.
Why Visit MedOne St. Augustine for Worker’s Compensation Services?
MedOne St. Augustine is your local alternative to a hospital emergency room with highly trained medical professionals and state-of-the art diagnostic equipment. We treat a full range of work-related injuries from fractures and breaks to cuts and lacerations and have experience dealing with workers’ compensation insurance regulations and forms. We accept walk-ins or call us at 904-907-2229 to schedule an appointment.
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