If you have been injured while working, you are not alone. Tens of thousands of American workers are hurt on the job each and every day. Those in the nursing profession face inherent risks daily. If you have been hurt while working, you most likely are eligible to claim workers' compensation benefits. Workers' compensation offers medical benefits and covers a portion of lost wages while the injured employee is unable to work. Every state sets its own workers' compensation laws, so the benefits and laws can vary significantly. National Nurses United As the United States's largest organization for registered nurses, National Nurses United was created to give registered nurses an organizing power and national voice. The organization is known for backing a Medicare for All, single-payer health care plan for the U.S. The organization has held several protests. The union brought together three organizations, the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, United American Nurses and Massachusetts Nurses Association. The California Nurses Association alone has more than 90,000 members. If you are a nurse who has been injured at work and you are a member of National Nurses United, your representative from the organization can help you file a claim for workers' comp benefits if you have been hurt on the job. Common Workplace Injuries Nurses face a variety of work hazards. Examples of injuries that can result include being pricked by a needle that contains infections or different diseases. These diseases could require extensive medical care or be in chronic in nature, lasting a lifetime. Nurses could become ill from coming into contact with diseases and illnesses. A slip and fall on a wet hospital or clinic floor could lead to nerve damage, spinal injuries, or even brain trauma. Any of these injuries can lead to months away from the job and require in-patient physical rehabilitation services. Medical bills can quickly add up for any of these kinds of injuries. Lifting patients and equipment can cause back injuries. Repetitive hand movements can lead to traumatic injuries, such as carpal tunnel. This might require surgical intervention or the need for long-term treatment and services. Nurses can also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental and emotional issues if they treat patients following a disaster. Your National Nurses United representative can help you with the process of seeking workers' comp benefits after an injury at work. Special union negotiations might have impacted this process. What To Do If You Have Been Hurt On the Job If you have suffered injuries while at work, you need to preserve the evidence and protect your rights to pursue a workers' compensation claim. Here are some tips for an injured worker. Notify your manager or supervisor of your injuries. Detail how you were hurt. Get a copy of any accident report filed. Your employer will complete a report, but if 911 was called the responding officer will also file a report. Get medical care for any injuries that you suffered. Even injuries that don't seem serious could be worse than they appear. Contact your representative with National Nurses United. Your representative will help you get your workers' comp claim started. Protect Your Legal Rights You should do everything you can to protect your rights. Don't sign any documents given to you by the insurance company because you might be giving away important benefits. Instead, consult with an experienced workers' compensation lawyer and work with your National Nurses United representative. The association's bargaining might have involved speeding up the claims process for members. Additional Resources Nurses and Workers' Compensation How Much is Your Claim Worth? *Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against your employer, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
