Workplace Hazards for Healthcare Workers in Chicago

Healthcare workers face serious hazards in Chicago. Whether you’re a doctor, a nurse, or another medical worker, you could suffer severe injuries while helping your community. A greater understanding of these hazards may make it easier to work safely. However, some injuries are truly unavoidable. You may need to consider a workers’ compensation claim if you were injured while working at a hospital in Chicago.

Risk Factors for Healthcare Workers 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a list of top “risk factors for healthcare workers” in the United States. These include dangerous drugs, diseases, stress, violence, and burnout.

Work stress and burnout is particularly common among healthcare workers due to the strained nature of the healthcare system in Illinois. This work can be extremely physical, involving repetitive motions that can cause joint issues, back problems, and much more. Psychological stress may make these injuries worse. You have the right to pursue compensation for repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) through workers’ compensation in Illinois.

What if I Detect Illnesses After Retiring From My Healthcare Job?

 If you discover that you have developed a health issue that you believe is connected with your past work as a healthcare worker, you still have the right to pursue a workers’ compensation claim.

Many of the most dangerous hazards in a healthcare setting cause long-term organ damage, infertility, cancer, and many other issues that are not immediately obvious. For example, you might discover that you are infertile 10 years after leaving your job as a nurse. Your exposure to certain cytotoxic or antineoplastic drugs may be to blame.

You might also develop cancer due to exposure to various drugs during your time working at a hospital. Perhaps you were accidentally exposed to the HIV virus, hepatitis C, or another bloodborne pathogen. Whatever the case may be, you have the right to explore the potential connection between your past work and your diagnosis.

An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer may be able to help you gather evidence of this causal relationship. Once you establish that your diagnosis was caused by your past work, you can pursue compensation. This is true even if you haven’t worked in the healthcare sector for many years.

Healthcare Workers Get Access to Workers’ Compensation in Chicago 

As a healthcare worker in Chicago, you have access to the workers’ compensation program. Like most other employees, you are protected by this no-fault system. You can file a claim and pursue compensation for a portion of your lost wages and 100% of your medical expenses. Depending on the circumstances, you may also qualify for free vocational rehabilitation under the workers’ comp program.

Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help Healthcare Workers in Chicago? 

A workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago may be able to help injured healthcare workers in Chicago. All kinds of injuries and accidents can occur at hospitals and medical facilities. Some of these accidents could be life-altering, and you deserve the right to pursue compensation. With help from Connolly Injury Law, you can make sure you get your fair share. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.

Sources:

 cdc.gov/niosh/healthcare/risk-factors/index.html#:~:text=Common%20risks%20include%20exposures%20to,eliminate%20risks%20in%20your%20workplace.

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17424-repetitive-strain-injury