How do work-related injuries occur?
- Through a single event, such as falling and hurting your back or getting burned while cooking for the client.
- Through repeated activity or contact, such as back strain from daily assisting with transfers; asthma from repeated exposure to animals, dust, or cleaning products; or a skin rash from using chemicals or repeatedly washing hands.
Tips
What to do if you get hurt on the job
- Get medical treatment. If it’s a medical emergency, call 911 or go to an emergency room right away! Make sure to tell the doctor that your injury happened at work.
- Report the injury promptly to your client and your employer, if you work for an agency or company.
- Talk to your client or agency to figure out how you can make your workplace safe to prevent future illnesses or injuries.
Find help
- Find out if you’re eligible for workers’ compensation that can cover medical care and some lost work time.
- Ask your employer for information about the benefits you may be entitled to.
- Contact your union, if you have one. Your union might also be able to provide information about any benefits you might be entitled to.
- You can contact the Workers’ Compensation office in your state. Look in the front of your phone book for State Government pages. Look for a listing for Workers’ Compensation. If you can’t find it, try calling 411.
Reference: “Caring for Yourself While Caring for Others” by Center for Disease Control’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
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