New Jersey Rehabilitation Facilities Injury Attorneys

Work injuries among occupational therapists (OT), physiotherapists (PT), and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are common and are often the result of heavy lifting, standing in awkward postures, standing for long periods in a static posture, and performing repetitive tasks. In short, work conditions can put therapists at an increased risk of work-related injuries, and in situations where they may file a workers’ compensation claim seeking compensation for their injuries. 

Rehabilitation settings such as free-standing rehabilitation hospitals, rehabilitation units in general hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities are staffed with OT, PT, and PTAs. OTs, PTs, and PTAs can be found in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and other facilities and are crucial members of the team. They can be found in New Jersey nursing homes, hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living facilities, and other locations.

Types of Incidents That Can Occur at a Rehabilitation Facility

The most common injury sustained by therapists in rehabilitation facilities was back injuries. On average, these injuries meant dealing with pain and discomfort anywhere from 24 hours to a week. However, these types of injuries also occur at least every 2 to 6 months. Of interest was an older study showing that therapists who sustained injuries did have mechanical patient lifts, but fewer than roughly 50 percent used them either before being injured or after being injured.

Therapists are routinely lifting patients, lifting heavy objects, often in awkward stances with their back and neck in a chronic flexed position, and do repetitive forceful tasks such as gait training, transfers, and repositioning a patient. This can result in upper extremity pain, lower extremity pain, neck and back pain. The majority of injuries for therapists were caused by patient transfers. It is not surprising that work injuries in a rehabilitation facility are common, as the physical work therapists perform is often done for many hours during their workday.

It is not just lifting, repositioning, and transferring patients that cause injuries. The repetitive manual therapy performed involving soft tissue work, orthopedic techniques, passive range of motion / stretching, and joint mobilization can also cause pain and injuries.

While safe patient handling is important when assisting someone in recovering from an injury, if the therapist does not use the mechanical tools available to help transfer and move them, they expose themselves to more frequent and painful injuries. It is important to know that if a worker is injured as a result of not following established safety protocols, this may affect a workers’ compensation claim. 

It is also important to realize that OTs, PTs, and PTAs work in a variety of settings, meaning they would be exposed to different work injury issues depending on the work environment. Hospital therapists deal with complex medical cases, transfers, gait training, and assisting with daily living activities. 

Those who work in an outpatient facility assist patients with more mobility who may need splint fabrication and manual therapy. Pediatric therapists may be found in school systems helping children adapt to their environments.

Common injuries sustained by OTs, PTs, and PTAs may include:

• Overexertion
• Equipment injuries
• Head injuries
• Neck and back strains, sprains
• Violence in the workplace – caused by patients or staff
• Shoulder injuries (e.g., torn rotator cuff, labrum tear, frozen shoulder, etc.)
• Broken bones
• Respiratory hazards
• Sprains and strains – affect the lower back
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Herniated discs
• Exposure to hazardous substances
• Non-supportive workplace environment
• Contagious diseases
• Concussions
• Injuries from contact with equipment, or falling objects
• Chemical reactions

If you are injured on-the-job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, and at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, our workers’ compensation attorneys help you obtain benefits for slips and falls, overexertion accidents, back strains and sprains, broken bones, coming into contact with equipment, slipped discs and other types of accidents. These accidents are the leading ways in which workers are hurt on-the-job.

Workers’ compensation is complicated and confusing, and retaining a skilled workers’ compensation attorney at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm helps you make a valid, supported-by-evidence claim. We have experience handling workers’ compensation claims seeking benefits for workplace injuries.

The healthcare industry has one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses that increase yearly. In 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in injuries and illnesses totaling 806,200 cases. 

What To Do If Hurt While Working as a Rehabilitation New Jersey Worker 

If you were hurt on-the-job working in New Jersey as an OT, PT, or PTA, immediately report any accident to your supervisor. Keep track of the time, place, injuries, and name of the person you reported your accident to. Once reported, the employer must provide notice of the injury to initiate a workers’ compensation claim.

Go for medical care immediately. See an employer-approved doctor if that is required by your employer. If required, you must see an approved doctor or your workers’ compensation claim can be denied.  Keep accurate records of all medical care you receive. That includes all expenses, doctor’s appointments, and other associated costs, such as going for physical therapy sessions or surgery.

This applies even if you work in health care or think you can deal with the injury yourself. Delaying medical care or shunning it may mean not being able to connect the injury to your work duties, thus reducing the chances of being able to file a workers’ compensation claim. 

Do exactly what a doctor suggests, making sure to keep all records and receipts about the accident, the injury, and what medical care was received. Make sure you show up for all medical appointments and finish the course of all ordered therapy. Keep detailed records and receipts of everything related to your injury accident. 

Complete all of your therapy and do not stop or miss any steps required to recover completely. Not completing the therapy before the official end of a recovery period can mean losing your workers’ compensation benefits. If treatment is stopped before the end of therapy, it indicates you have recovered and can return to work. Realistically speaking, that may not be the case, and not obtaining a medical release can affect any workers’ compensation claim you may have and may also end any benefits.

Why You Need to Hire a Rehabilitation Facility Injury Attorney

At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we discuss your situation in great detail, outline what is possible and what your legal rights are, and assist you with gathering all the necessary details and paperwork to file a workers’ compensation claim. 

Fatigue, as a result of long work hours, changing staffing patterns, and shift work, may result in injuries and stress among staff. The physical work environment, staff work habits, and institutional and organizational policies and characteristics play a significant role in stress and injuries. The more stress there is in the workplace, the greater the exposure to occupational hazards. 

Since each case is different, with different outcomes, at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we thoroughly discuss every aspect of your accident incident while at work.

Contact the Rehabilitation Facility Injury Attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm Today!

At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we have counseled and represented many clients who are injured on-the-job as administrative and support staff at hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and nursing home facilities. We can help you recover the workers’ compensation benefits and medical care that you are entitled to for your work injury, and help get your life back on track after being hurt while working as support or administrative staff in the healthcare industry. Our workers’ compensation lawyers will help you navigate the complexities of the process, so you can focus on your recovery. We have recovered over $100 million for our clients and can effectively negotiate on your behalf with even the largest insurance companies. We have successfully served thousands of clients throughout New Jersey.  To learn more about how we can help you pursue a workers’ compensation claim, give us a call today at (973) 920-7900 to request a FREE and confidential consultation. You can also connect with us through our online form. There is never a fee unless we win. We have two conveniently located offices in Denville and Morristown, New Jersey.