Filing a disability claim as a nurse

When we bring up the topic of dangerous occupations, you might think about construction work, deep-sea diving or transporting crude oil. While all of those occupations do come with more than a moderate amount of risk, other jobs can also be dangerous. Nursing is one occupation that includes many dangers that you might not think about.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 35,000 nursing professionals every year experience work-related injuries severe enough to keep them them from some amount of work. In fact, those who work as orderlies or nursing assistants are three times more likely to experience a back injury than those working in construction jobs. A leading cause of such issues is lifting or moving patients.

What do you do if you are a nurse who is injured on the job? As a health care professional, you know that you should first seek evaluation and treatment for a possible injury. As an employee, you should also report the incident to your supervisor or through appropriate channels.

If the injury is severe enough that you will miss some work, you can probably file a workers’ compensation claim to help pay for treatment and cover lost wages. If the injury is so severe that you will be out of work longer than workers’ compensation will cover, then you might want to file an individual disability claim.

Every disability claim is unique, and it’s important to understand how to file one for optimal chances at success. Working with a legal professional experienced in filing claims for nurses can be one way to set yourself up for a better chance at success. Our firm understands the unique needs of health care professionals and can help you through all of the details.