Every year in Nebraska a large number of workplace injuries occur in the healthcare industry. Due to the physically demanding nature of the work, registered nurses and certified nursing assistants made up a large portion of those injuries. Many cases involve spinal and back injuries during lifting and transferring of patients.
Proper lifting and repositioning is essential to diminishing the chances of a work related injury. This link is to the American Nurses Association gives guidelines regarding proper lifting techniques. Unfortunately many nursing homes and hospitals put its employees at risk of injury by failing to provide adequate help or proper lifting apparatus.
If you are a registered nurse or certified nursing assistant and have been injured on the job, you should contact our office as soon as possible to discuss your particular situation. Remember to always report your injury to a supervisor and seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Any delay in notification and treatment can be used against you to deny your claim. Also, please see our link to discussions regarding your choice of physician options in Nebraska. It is always best to see your own family physician.
If an injury is ongoing, often times employers will persuade or pressure nurses back to work under alleged “light duty” work. Many of these “light duty” positions are not that light after all and can cause further injury. Don’t let a supervisor endanger you further. Call or email our office to discuss your options with this typical situation.
Unfortunately, a common theme with injuries to registered nurses or CNA’s is the inability to return to work due to permanent injuries. This is especially common with back, neck, and spinal injuries. However, please remember that you must prove that you have suffered a permanent injury and the injury is causally-related to your work injury. You should treat with your own personal physician versus a company-paid doctor.
There are several benefits available for injured nurses in addition to medical care and payments for lost time at work. No matter where you are in the process, call or email Putnam Law Offices for a free case evaluation. Find out what rights apply to your particular situation.
