JENKINTOWN PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

Are you a nurse? Do you end your shift with aches and pains? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurses, nurses’ aides, and orderlies are more likely to suffer musculoskeletal injuries than people in any other profession, including firefighters. In fact, 38 percent of all nurses have experienced a back injury.

Musculoskeletal Injuries Associated With Nursing

• Back pain
• Back injury
• Neck injury
• Shoulder injury
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Sprains and strains
• Muscle tears

Most musculoskeletal injuries in nurses are caused by overexertion while lifting, transferring, and repositioning patients. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than one third (37.5 percent) of American adults are obese. In most industries, a 90-pound load would be considered heavy. For nurses, a 90-pound patient is light weight compared to the average 178-pound adult. But hospitals often treat patients who weigh 200, 300, and even 400 pounds (or more). Over a typical workday, a nurse will typically lift 1.8 tons or more.

American Nurses Association has been lobbying for federal standards to protect nurses from injuries. Right now, safety standards are created by the hospitals and vary from place to place. But, nurses continue to suffer musculoskeletal injuries at an alarming rate. The organization has created a list of safety standards that have been adopted by more than 3,000 hospitals across the country. They are hoping that these standards will soon become mandatory.

The watchdog organization Public Citizen agrees. In their July 2013 report, “Health Care Workers Unprotected,” Public Citizen called on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to develop safety standards for nurses and to perform more inspections to make sure these standards are met.

Until national standards are passed, nurses will continue to suffer musculoskeletal injuries. Unfortunately, nurses have little legal recourse. They cannot sue the hospital for failing to provide the necessary equipment and they cannot sue the patient for being overweight. All they can do is hope that workers’ compensation will cover the injury and missed work.

If you are PA nurse who has been injured on the job, call Mednick, Mezyk & Kredo, P.C., at 888-807-WORK (9675) to learn about your rights.