For nurses, nursing assistants, and other healthcare professionals, lifting and turning patients is part of everyday work. However, without adequate lift equipment or team support, these routine tasks can lead to serious musculoskeletal injuries.
When employers fail to provide proper assistance or safety tools, injured workers have the right to seek compensation. PLBH can help you file a workers’ compensation claim and ensure your medical and financial needs are met.
The Risks of Manual Patient Handling
Patient handling is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries in healthcare. Even when performed with proper body mechanics, repeatedly lifting or repositioning patients can strain the back, shoulders, and knees.
Common injuries include:
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Lower back sprains and strains
- Rotator cuff and shoulder injuries
- Knee or hip joint damage
- Chronic pain from repetitive lifting
Over time, these injuries can worsen and prevent healthcare workers from continuing their careers.
When Lack of Lift Assistance Becomes Employer Negligence
Hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers are legally required to provide a safe work environment. This includes having adequate staff and equipment for patient handling. Unfortunately, understaffing and poor management often force workers to perform lifts alone.
Employer safety failures may include:
- Not providing mechanical lift devices
- Ignoring safe patient handling policies
- Failing to train employees on lift techniques
- Pressuring staff to move patients without help
When these failures result in injury, workers’ compensation should cover medical care and lost wages. However, proving that lack of lift assistance contributed to your injury can be challenging without legal support.
How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
If you’ve suffered an injury from turning or lifting a patient, take these steps to protect your rights and strengthen your claim:
- Report the injury immediately. Notify your supervisor as soon as possible, even if pain develops gradually.
- Seek medical attention. Choose a doctor familiar with occupational injuries who can document the cause.
- Document your workload. Note staffing levels, shift details, and whether lift equipment was available.
- Consult PLBH. Our team will help you gather the necessary evidence and file your claim accurately.
Proving That the Injury Is Work-Related
In healthcare, insurers often argue that back or shoulder pain is due to age or previous injuries. That’s why clear medical evidence is essential.
Evidence that supports your case includes:
- Doctor’s reports linking the injury to patient handling tasks
- Witness statements from co-workers
- Records showing repeated lifting duties without assistance
- Employer safety logs or incident reports
PLBH can help ensure your documentation clearly demonstrates that your injury was caused by unsafe working conditions.
What Benefits You May Receive
If your workers’ compensation claim is approved, you may be entitled to:
- Full medical coverage for treatment and rehabilitation
- Temporary disability benefits during recovery
- Permanent disability benefits for lasting injuries
- Vocational retraining if you can no longer perform patient care duties
Protecting Those Who Care for Others
Healthcare professionals dedicate their lives to helping others—but that doesn’t mean they should risk their own well-being in unsafe conditions. If you’ve been injured while lifting or turning patients without proper assistance, contact PLBH at (800) 435-7542. Our team will fight to secure your benefits so you can focus on healing and returning to work safely.