What are common workplace injuries for Illinois nurses?

According to recent data from the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), registered nurses (RNs) and nursing assistants face some of the highest workplace injury rates in the nation.

In 2023, health care and social services accounted for 375,111 workplace incidents out of 2.6 million nonfatal work-related injuries and illnesses in the U.S. RNs specifically accounted for over 8% of the total, with nursing assistants nearly 5%. Only laborers, freight handlers, stockers and order fillers had higher injury rates.

6 common nursing injuries

Nurses play a vital role in healthcare but face numerous physical risks while performing their duties. The demanding nature of nursing, including constantly walking, bending, stretching and standing, exposes nurses to several hazards despite their training and awareness of safety protocols.

The most common nursing injuries include:

• Overexertion and bodily injuries: Nearly half of all nursing injuries stem from excessive physical effort, repetitive motions, twisting, bending and lifting patients. These often result in back injuries, muscle strains and joint problems.
• Falls, slips and trips: Accounting for about 25% of all RN injuries, these commonly occur due to wet floors, cords and other walking obstacles in fast-paced health care environments.
• Violence from patients or visitors: Nurses face three times more violent incidents than other professions, with many cases going unreported due to time constraints or concerns about employer response.
• Needlesticks and equipment injuries: While less common statistically, accidental needlesticks pose serious risks of blood-borne infections, including HIV and Hepatitis B or C.
• Transportation injuries: Moving patients between beds, wheelchairs and stretchers can lead to falls or back strains for both patients and nurses.
• Exposure to harmful substances: Nurses regularly encounter chemicals, sterilants, medications, pesticides and latex that can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation or more serious health problems.

These injuries affect nurses’ health and can impact their ability to continue working in their chosen profession.

Workers’ compensation helps nurses recover

Illinois nurses qualify for workers’ compensation benefits regardless of fault. Report any workplace injury to your supervisor immediately. State law requires notification within 45 days but sooner is better.

Workers’ compensation covers medical expenses, including emergency care, doctor visits, surgery and rehabilitation. You may receive temporary disability benefits equaling two-thirds of your average weekly wage during recovery.

For injuries preventing you from returning to your current role, vocational rehabilitation benefits can provide training for alternative employment. Permanent disability benefits apply in severe cases.

Many nurses face claim denials based on pre-existing conditions, though you may still qualify if work worsens your condition. However, insurance companies try to minimize payments or deny claims entirely.

Consulting a skilled workers’ compensation attorney familiar with healthcare injuries is advisable to ensure proper paperwork filing and counter insurer tactics, so you receive full benefits while focusing on your recovery.