Workplace injuries happen far more often than most people realize.
Roughly 11 million people go to work each day in Florida. And, unfortunately, a percentage of them get hurt on the job each day too.
Whether someone works in construction, healthcare, retail, or even an office, accidents and injuries can occur across nearly every industry.
Some are sudden, like a fall or machinery accident. Others develop slowly over time, like repetitive motion injuries. No matter the cause, these incidents can leave employees dealing with pain, medical bills, and lost wages.
Workers’ compensation is designed to provide financial support and medical coverage for those who are hurt on the job. However, not every employee knows what types of injuries are covered or when they should file a claim. Understanding the most common workplace injuries is a good first step in recognizing your rights and making sure you get the benefits you’re entitled to.
It’s also important to remember that workers’ comp isn’t just for severe accidents. Even what seems like a “minor” injury can become serious if it affects your ability to do your job or requires ongoing treatment. That’s why knowing the common types of work-related injuries, and how they can impact your life, is so valuable.
Common Workplace Injuries That Lead to Florida Workers’ Compensation Claims
Here are some of the most common types of workplace injuries that lead employees to file claims.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slips, trips, and falls are some of the most frequent workplace injuries. A wet floor, cluttered walkway, uneven surface, or poor lighting can quickly turn into an accident. These injuries range from sprained ankles to broken bones or even head trauma. While many people associate slip and falls with retail or restaurant jobs, they can happen in almost any workplace setting. It’s one of the main reasons why injured workers call our attorney.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Not all injuries are caused by one single accident. Many workers develop injuries over time from repeating the same task every day. Typing, lifting, bending, or even using certain tools repeatedly can strain muscles, tendons, and joints. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or chronic back pain often fall into this category. These injuries may take months or even years to show up, but they can still qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
Machinery Accidents
For employees working with heavy machinery or industrial equipment, accidents can be especially serious. A mechanical malfunction, lack of proper safety guards, or moment of distraction can lead to devastating injuries such as crushed hands, amputations, or deep lacerations. Employers are required to provide training and maintain safe equipment, but even in well-run workplaces, accidents still happen. We’ve helped injured workers with their claims in many towns in Florida, including Tamarac, Deerfield Beach, Margate and Lauderhill.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
If your job involves driving, whether it’s delivering goods, traveling between job sites, or transporting passengers, you face the risk of being in a motor vehicle accident while on the clock. Collisions can cause anything from minor whiplash to life-changing injuries. In Florida, if the accident occurs while you’re performing work duties, you may be eligible for both workers’ compensation and possibly a separate claim against the at-fault driver.
Construction Site Accidents
Construction sites are filled with hazards. Falls from scaffolding, ladders, or rooftops are unfortunately common and often severe. Workers may also be struck by falling debris, injured by heavy equipment, or caught between materials. Because of the inherently dangerous nature of construction, these claims tend to involve serious injuries that can keep workers off the job for extended periods of time.
Assaults or Attacks
Not every workplace injury comes from an accident. In some cases, employees are harmed due to violence on the job. This might involve a dispute with a co-worker or an attack from a customer or member of the public. If the incident occurs while you’re performing work duties, you may still have the right to workers’ compensation benefits, even though the cause wasn’t a typical “accident.”
Toxic Exposure
Workers in certain industries face exposure to hazardous chemicals, dust, or fumes. Prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory conditions, skin damage, or even long-term illnesses like cancer. In other cases, a single high-level exposure can cause immediate harm. Toxic exposure claims can be complicated, but they’re important because the health effects are often serious and long-lasting.
Burns and Electrocutions
Workplaces that involve electrical systems, heat sources, or dangerous chemicals carry the risk of burns and electrocutions. Even a brief moment of contact with electricity or fire can cause permanent injury. Burns may require extensive medical treatment and long recovery periods, while electrocution injuries can be life-threatening.
Lifting Injuries
One of the most common workplace injuries involves lifting heavy objects. Strained backs, pulled muscles, and herniated discs happen every day in environments where workers are required to move boxes, equipment, or supplies. Even workers who try to lift carefully may find themselves injured over time due to repetitive heavy lifting.
Falling Objects
Finally, injuries caused by falling objects remain a constant risk in warehouses, construction sites, and other busy workplaces. Tools, boxes, or materials that fall from shelves or heights can cause head, neck, or back injuries. Something as small as a dropped tool can cause major damage if it strikes the wrong place at the wrong time.
Protecting Yourself After a Workplace Injury
No matter how an injury occurs, it’s important to report it promptly and seek medical attention. Florida law requires employees to notify their employer within 30 days of the incident, but the sooner you report, the better.
Workers’ compensation is there to cover your medical bills and lost wages, but navigating the process can be tricky.
Hire a Work Comp Law Firm
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand your rights, avoid mistakes with paperwork or deadlines, and fight for the benefits you deserve. Whether your injury happened in an instant or developed gradually over time, you don’t have to go through the process alone.
At Adam Baron Law we’ve spent decades helping injured workers across Florida secure compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and more. If you’ve been hurt on the job, don’t wait to get legal guidance. Call our office today for a free consultation and learn how we can protect your rights and help you move forward.
The Law Offices of Adam Baron, P.A. have represented hurt workers and accident victims for over 30 years. We understand how frustrating and challenging this time can be and we know how to help you through it. Our Florida work injury attorneys are aggressive when it comes to obtaining compensation and justice on behalf of our clients. We help injured workers all across Florida, including Miami, Coral Springs, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Delray Beach and many others areas.
If you were injured or became sick while working, we can help. Call Adam Baron at 954-247-HURT now for a Free, No-Obligation Case Review.