Federal employees face the same injury risks as those in the private industry and different areas of the public sector. Those risks can be serious. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that approximately 124 federal employees suffered fatal accidents in 2013.
Based on the BLS, the top causes of fatal injuries among workers are:
A federal worker who suffers a job-related private injury or illness (or even families of these employees who have been lost) can seek benefits through the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). These benefits include coverage of wages that are lost because of permanent or temporary disability. They also have death benefits for eligible survivors.
The following is a closer look at the most common leading causes of accidents among federal employees:
Transportation Incidents
Many federal jobs require travel between offices or even as a main function of the job. Postal work is the apparent example. Truck and car accidents, which are usually as a result of driver error, can be fatal or result in serious injury. In cases where another driver is at a motor vehicle's error caused an accident or fault, a worker may consider filing an injury claim in addition to seeking workers' compensation benefits.
Violence
Unfortunately, federal employees may also be hurt by violence. Incidents of violence include attacks by other creatures and dogs as a cause of harm. In acts of violence, the perpetrator or an animal's owner may also be held responsible for the employee's injury, which adds to compensation for the employee's losses.
Struck by Object or Equipment
There are many ways from being struck by an object or equipment, a worker can suffer a head injury, eye injury, fracture, internal organ injury, cut, bruise or alternative injury. By way of instance, materials and tools can drop from above in a storeroom or roll off a truck. Material stacked can collapse. Debris could be ejected by means of a power tool. By, or a man who excursions can fall and hit at them, make them fall and be hurt.
Falls, Trips or Slips
Slipping or tripping onto a floor or falling off a ladder, scaffolding is a common source of injury in all walks of life. Falls can lead to broken bones, brain injuries, back and spine injuries and much more. In the workplace, using scaling ladders, step stools or other gear puts a worker in danger of falling. Meanwhile, as workers leave equipment or leave slippery and moist floors, this can result in falling accidents.
Harmful Substance Exposure
From being exposed to certain harmful substances such as chemicals, A worker can suffer catastrophic injuries such as burns. A worker may also create health issues from repeated exposure to asbestos, smoke, diesel exhaust or other dangerous substances.
Fire and Explosions
Compressed gases, flammable liquids, open-flames and chemicals are fire and explosion risks. At car depots with petrol or gasoline pumps for automobiles, trucks or equipment, fuel can be ignited. Some metals and synthetic substances that are organic in addition to many natural can form. Third-and-fourth-degree burns, if survived, typically require treatment that includes several surgeries and rehab and leave the sufferer disabled.
Caught-in / Caught-between Accidents
Employees involved in "captured" accidents can endure fractures and tearing accidents if their body parts or clothes become caught in machinery, or even when the worker is crushed between objects or torn from moving components. Caught-in accidents consist of trench, excavation or construction collapses, which may cause devastating injuries in addition to injuries.
Overexertion
Pressure and the stress from overexertion can harm nerves muscles and tendons in the neck, upper extremities and back. Work activities which can result in such musculoskeletal injuries include lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying and holding materials, tools and other objects. They can also be caused by bending, reaching working in awkward body positions and doing similar jobs repetitively or the exact same. Employees can suffer harms that cause numbness, swelling and debilitating pain and sprains, strains, tears, pinched nerves, herniated discs, hernia, carpal or tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Electrocution / Shock
Workers who come into contact may suffer electrocution, which can be death, or jolt, which encircles burns and other accidents caused . Electrical currents can also cause explosions, fires, arc flash and arc blast -- each of which might cause burn injuries. Shock and electrocution may be caused by contact with bare wires , damaged fixtures, overhead power lines or faulty equipment or gear.
Seek Federal Benefits
It can be difficult for people people who have never before applied to document a federal workers' compensation or disability benefits claim. The principles regulating benefits available to employees are lengthy and complicated. Workers who are eligible for numerous advantages may realize that they offset each other, so your total benefit might be less than what you deserve if your claim is organised improperly.
Various experts will allow you to sort through the confusion and work to pursue the advantages or reimbursement you deserve. They can work throughout the country with federal employees.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .By Dr. Alex Jimenez
References: Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC)
Additional Topics: Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common symptoms reported among the general population. While back pain can occur due to a variety of injuries and/or underlying conditions, a work accident has often been associated as a frequent origin of back pain issues. Back pain can affect an individual at least once throughout their lifetime. Fortunately, federal employees who experience back pain, such as symptoms of sciatica, can benefit from programs like FECA.
