Healthcare workers keep our communities healthy, but the job often comes with serious physical and emotional risks. Nurses, nursing assistants, technicians, therapists, and support staff face some of the highest workplace injury rates in Washington State. From lifting patients to exposure to illness and workplace violence, injuries can happen suddenly or develop over time.
If you work in healthcare and have been hurt on the job, Washington’s workers’ compensation system, managed by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), may provide medical care, wage replacement, and other benefits. Below, we break down the most common injuries in healthcare jobs and explain how to file an L&I claim if you’re hurt at work.
Why Healthcare Workers Face a Higher Risk of Injury
Healthcare settings are fast-paced, physically demanding, and often understaffed. Workers frequently perform repetitive tasks, lift or reposition patients, work long shifts, and respond to emergencies under pressure. Hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare environments all present unique hazards, especially when safety protocols or staffing levels fall short.
Common Injuries in Healthcare Jobs
Musculoskeletal Injuries from Lifting and Repetitive Motion
The most common injuries among healthcare workers involve muscles, joints, and soft tissue. Lifting or transferring patients can lead to back injuries, herniated discs, shoulder tears, knee injuries, and chronic pain. Even with proper training, repeated strain over time can cause serious damage that worsens without treatment.
Repetitive tasks, such as charting, positioning equipment, or assisting patients, can also result in carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and other overuse injuries.
Slip-and-Falls
Healthcare workers spend long hours on their feet, often moving quickly between patients. Wet floors, spilled fluids, cluttered hallways, and poor lighting increase the risk of falls. These accidents can cause fractures, sprains, head injuries, and long-term mobility issues.
Falls don’t only happen in hospitals; home healthcare workers are especially vulnerable when entering unfamiliar or unsafe environments.
Needlestick and Sharps Injuries
Exposure to needles and sharp medical instruments is a serious hazard in healthcare jobs. Accidental needlesticks can expose workers to bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV. Even when no illness develops, these injuries often require testing, treatment, and time away from work.
Workplace Violence Injuries
Violence against healthcare workers is a growing concern. Nurses, mental health professionals, emergency department staff, and caregivers may experience physical assaults from patients, residents, or visitors. Injuries can include bruises, broken bones, head trauma, and psychological conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Under Washington State law, both physical and certain mental health injuries caused by workplace violence may be covered by L&I.
Exposure-Related Illnesses
Healthcare workers may be exposed to infectious diseases, toxic chemicals, or hazardous medications. Occupational diseases can develop over time and may not be immediately linked to work. Respiratory conditions, skin disorders, and stress-related illnesses may qualify as occupational diseases under L&I when a clear work connection exists.
What Is an L&I Claim in Washington?
An L&I claim is a workers’ compensation claim that provides benefits to employees injured or made ill by their job. Most healthcare workers in Washington are covered, including full-time, part-time, and many temporary employees.
If your employer is not self-insured, L&I manages your claim. If your employer is self-insured, the process is similar, but the employer handles claim administration.
How to File an L&I Claim as a Healthcare Worker
Report the Injury or Illness Immediately
Tell your supervisor as soon as you are injured or believe your condition is work-related. Delaying a report can lead to disputes or denied benefits, especially if the injury worsens over time.
Seek Medical Treatment
See a medical provider right away and tell them your injury or illness is work-related. In Washington, your provider will typically file a Provider’s Initial Report with L&I or the self-insured employer. Make sure all symptoms are documented, even if they seem minor at first.
File a Report of Accident (ROA)
You must file a Report of Accident (ROA) with L&I or your self-insured employer. This can usually be done online, by phone, or on paper. Accuracy matters describe how the injury happened and all affected body parts.
Know the Filing Deadlines
For traumatic injuries, you generally have one year from the date of injury to file a claim.
For occupational diseases, you usually have two years from the date a medical provider formally tells you your condition is work-related.
Follow Medical and Claim Instructions
Attend all medical appointments, follow treatment recommendations, and respond promptly to L&I requests. Failure to comply can delay or jeopardize benefits.
Benefits Available Through an L&I Claim
Depending on your situation, L&I benefits may include:
- Medical treatment related to the injury or illness
- Time-loss compensation (wage replacement) if you cannot work
- Permanent partial disability (PPD) awards
- Vocational rehabilitation services
- Survivor benefits for fatal workplace injuries
Common Challenges Healthcare Workers Face with L&I Claims
Healthcare workers often face claim denials due to pre-existing conditions, delayed reporting, or disputes about whether an injury is work-related. Occupational diseases and mental health claims can be especially difficult to prove without strong medical and legal support.
When to Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If your L&I claim is denied, benefits are cut off early, or you’re pressured to return to work too soon, it may be time to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. A lawyer can help gather medical evidence, file appeals, and protect your rights, especially when your health and livelihood are at stake.
Protecting Yourself After a Healthcare Workplace Injury
Healthcare workers dedicate their careers to caring for others. If you’re injured on the job, you deserve support, medical care, and fair compensation. Understanding common healthcare injuries and the L&I claim process is the first step toward protecting your future.
If you have questions about your rights or need help navigating an L&I claim, speaking with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation professional can make all the difference.
