New Jersey Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) Injury Attorneys

Being a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is a rewarding job caring for people who need help. However, it is also one of the toughest jobs there is, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicating nursing has one of the highest rates of occupational injuries in the nation.

In 2020, there were 78,740 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses nationwide, resulting in at least one day off work among nursing staff in private industry. This was a 290.8-percent increase, or four times the number of cases, compared with 2019, with 20,150 cases.

New Jersey, as of 2022, employed 16,220 LPNs and LVNs in various facilities, including nursing care facilities, home health care services, continuing care retirement communities, private homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities for the elderly, psychiatric and substance abuse facilities, and outpatient care centers.

Licensed Vocational Nurses Injury Statistics

In New Jersey, the Garden State, nurses as a collective whole, including RNs, LPNs, and LVNs working in a hospital setting, are more likely to sustain injuries than workers in most other professions. Nurses exhibit a higher-than-average risk of sustaining musculoskeletal disorders. In 2021, approximately 657,200 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses were working nationwide.

The largest employers of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses were:

• Nursing and residential care facilities, 35 percent;
• Hospitals statewide, 15 percent; 
• Home health care services, 14 percent;
• Doctor’s offices, 12 percent; and
• Government, 7 percent

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows two common injuries healthcare workers experience that disproportionately affect nurses more versus other occupations:

• Overexertion – Nursing staff faced 46 percent, while other occupations made up 34 percent
• Violence and Other Injuries – Nursing staff made up 12 percent, while other occupations faced 4 percent

It is important to remember that should you be injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, and at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, our workers’ compensation attorneys are here to help you claim benefits for injuries related to lifting, pushing, slips and falls, collision, and other types of accidents in the workplace. 

It is also important to know that injuries on the job while working as a healthcare worker are, in some instances, considered to be occupational hazards. This may include physical hazards, chemical hazards, biological hazards, and psychosocial hazards. This is why it is wise to retain a skilled workers’ compensation attorney at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm. We have the experience to assist you with your workers’ compensation claim for benefits as a result of a workplace injury.

According to a 2020 survey of occupational injuries and illnesses by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more workers are injured in the healthcare and social assistance industry sector than any other.

This industry has one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses, and it continues to rise unabated. In 2020, the industry reported a 40 percent increase in injuries and illnesses for a tally of 806,200 cases. To learn more about workplace injuries in hospitals, visit HERE.

Common Types of Nursing Injuries

Common injuries sustained in the nursing profession include:

• Sprains and strains – affect the lower back
• Overexertion and the body’s reaction to it
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Radiation sickness
• Respiratory hazards
• Exposure to waste anesthetic gas
• Contagious diseases
• Equipment injuries
• Transportation incidents – moving patients
• Exposure to harmful substances
• Exposure to hazardous substances
• Needle sticks – blood-borne infectious diseases
• Latex exposure
• Sterilants
• Drugs
• Laser hazards
• Herniated discs
• Chemical reactions
• Broken bones
• Head injuries
• Concussions
• Violence in the workplace – assaults caused by patients or staff
• Contact with equipment or other objects
• Neck and back strains, sprains
• Shoulder injuries (torn rotator cuff, labrum tear, frozen shoulder, etc.)

If you were hurt on the job in New Jersey, immediately report the incident to your supervisor and keep a note of the time, place, and name of the person to whom you reported. Once reported, the employer is mandated to provide notice of the injury to open 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.

Do not wait to seek medical treatment, even if you work in a healthcare facility or feel you can deal with the injury on your own. Waiting to see a doctor can mean it is difficult to connect the injury to work activity, lessening the chances of being able to claim workers’ compensation benefits. Do whatever the doctor suggests needs to be done, and keep all records and receipts relating to the accident, injury, and care received. 

If you have questions about the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim, or got pushback from your employer or the insurance company (who may contest or deny your claim), contact our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm. We know the answers. We can help you. We can handle your case, advise you of your legal rights, and provide legal representation.

Contact the Licensed Vocational Nurse Attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm Today!

At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we have counseled and represented many plaintiffs involved in on-the-job injuries while working as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, and have significant experience obtaining maximum financial compensation. Our firm can help you recover the workers’ compensation benefits you need to get your life back on track after being hurt while working as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. 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.