Nurses play a crucial role in the healthcare industry, dedicating themselves to the well-being of their patients.
However, their demanding profession has inherent risks, including the potential for sustaining severe injuries from duties such as constantly lifting patients.
What kind of nursing injuries are common?
Nursing involves physically demanding tasks, such as lifting and moving patients, which can lead to injuries over time. The repetitive nature of these actions puts strain on nurses’ backs, shoulders and other musculoskeletal structures. The weight of patients, combined with the need for quick and frequent movements, increases the risk of accidents and injuries.
Nurses often experience back injuries due to heavy lifting, transferring patients between beds and wheelchairs or helping them move in various ways. These injuries can range from sprains and strains to more severe conditions like herniated discs.
The repetitive motion of lifting and supporting patients can also cause shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff tears and tendonitis. These conditions can significantly impact a nurse’s ability to perform their duties effectively.
What benefits are available to injured nurses?
The Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) is responsible for administering workers’ compensation claims in the state. They help ensure injured workers, including nurses, receive the necessary benefits and medical care to aid their recovery and maintain financial stability during rehabilitation.
The ICA recognizes that nursing involves substantial physical exertion and acknowledges the potential risks of lifting patients regularly. To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, the injured nurse must be an employee of the healthcare facility, such as a hospital or clinic where the injury occurred.
What’s more, the injury must have resulted from job-related duties, including patient lifting and other tasks directly associated with nursing responsibilities. And finally, but most importantly, the injured nurse must promptly report the injury to their employer to initiate the workers’ compensation claim process.
If you’re a nurse or another medical professional who has been injured on the job, there is legal help available that can help you get the compensation and benefits you need to recover.