Types of Industrial Injuries

Injuries from industrial accidents range in severity and the treatment required for recovery. Most injured industrial workers will miss some work for doctor visits and rehabilitation. Years of repeated injuries can lead to chronic pain and permanent damage. In the most severe cases, employees are unable to return to work and must find other sources of financial support. The most common types of industrial injuries in Houston include:

• Amputations
• Head Injuries
• Neck, Back, and Spinal Cord
• Burns
• Eye Injuries

Recovering damages caused by industrial injuries is more than just medical bills. If you have lost wages at work and suffered mental anguish, the industrial accident attorneys at Richard J. Plezia & Associates can help fight for your financial recovery. If you suffered any of the following injuries, contact our office today for a free consultation.

Amputations

Amputations and severed limbs can be the most severe and life-changing types of injuries suffered by any worker. Losing a limb changes more than a worker’s career path. Suffering an amputation means major life changes in activity level and access. How do amputations happen in the industrial workplace? The most common activities associated with loss of limb involve an employee working in close proximity to the moving parts of heavy machinery:

• Machine setup
• Machine maintenance
• Clearing machinery jams
• Cleaning machines
• Lubricating machines
• Changing parts and tools

Head Injuries

Can head and brain injury be prevented? Wearing headgear and helmets is a start, but even when employees wear protective gear, serious head injuries can still occur. The human brain is not capable of absorbing the impact of heavy industrial equipment. Minor “dings” to the head can carry serious consequences. If you have suffered workplace head trauma, look for these symptoms of a potential brain injury: loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, changes in mood, changes in speech or physical ability, sleep changes, and chronic headaches.  See a doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms.

Neck, Back, and Spinal Cord Injuries

Industrial workers often complain of back soreness and stiff necks. Are these “part of the job” or symptoms of a more serious injury? Working with heavy equipment exposes industrial workers to the hazards of neck, back, and spinal cord injuries. Employers who fail to offer safe lifting and machine moving alternatives are placing workers at risk for permanent muscular, orthopedic, and nerve damage.

Burns

The medical community classifies burns into four categories. If you have been burned in an industrial accident, look over these descriptions of burns to determine the severity of your injury:

• First Degree Burn: Skin is usually very red and painful, not unlike a sunburn without blisters. Healing occurs in three to five days and hospitalization may be required for pain control.
• Second Degree Burn: Second degree burns are divided into two categories– partial and full thickness. Partial thickness burns heal in 10-21 days without grafting. Full thickness second degree burns require excision and grafting to heal.
• Third Degree Burn: All layers of the skin are destroyed and damage extends into subcutaneous tissue. Burned areas can look black or white and will be dry.
• Fourth Degree Burn. These burns extend all the way down into the muscle and/or bone.

Eye Injuries

Eye protection is critical for eye safety. Wearing proper fitting glasses and face masks can help reduce the occurrence of industrial eye injury. Is your employer offering eye protection, eyewashes, and safety training? Do posted safety signs remind employees that eye protection is required in certain areas of the workplace? If your employer is not providing these protections, you may have a case for negligence if you are hurt on the job.