Every year, 8.6 million people in the United States suffer a sports injury. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that in 2019, non-fatal injuries and illnesses caused in the workplace affected millions of workers. While these numbers include many people who’ve sustained an injury, injuries are widespread and can happen anywhere. Injuries aren’t limited to physical wounds, either. When a person experiences physical or psychological damage or a violation of their legal rights, they have sustained an injury.
The amount of time and care needed to recover from an injury can vary widely based on the nature of the injury and its source. If you’ve sustained an injury, consider these options to ensure you recover fully.
What are the common causes of physical injuries?
Physical injuries are wounds that affect any part of your body. In the workplace, workers are most commonly affected by slips and falls, overexertion, or equipment injuries. Workers can also sustain repetitive stress injuries from performing the same tasks repeatedly.
Common sports injuries include concussions, sprains, tennis elbow, and shoulder injuries. Although many sports require participants to use safety equipment to reduce the chance of injury, sports are one of the most common causes of physical injuries.
Millions of people are injured each year in motor vehicle accidents. Whiplash is common, mainly if the injured person is inside a vehicle that is struck from behind. Individuals can also suffer lacerations from broken glass or debris. Airbags can sprain wrists or elbows. In severe cases, airbags have fractured bones in hands, wrists, and elbows.
Every day people are injured in their homes. People suffer burns when they come in contact with boiling water or hot burners. It’s possible to sprain or break an ankle from tripping on loose paving stones or area rugs. Other common household injuries include bruises from bumping into furniture, repetitive stress injuries from repeated tasks, and internal injuries from ingesting poison.
How can you manage discomfort from physical injuries?
Injuries vary from mild to severe. If you bumped your forehead on a cabinet door, you may be able to apply ice and take over-the-counter painkillers to reduce your discomfort.
You can also use pure CBD tincture to ease physical distress. Cannabidiol (CBD) products—such as tinctures, gummies, and ointments—may be able to provide some relief from any discomfort. You may also experience some relief if you have occasional anxiousness due to your injury.
Severe injuries may require professional care. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to reduce your injury symptoms, or they may refer you to a physical therapist. Physical therapists develop treatment plans to help patients increase their mobility and regain the use of limbs. They can also help patients manage the pain from their injuries.
Should you see a medical professional?
Medical doctors are qualified to assess your physical condition fully. Your doctor can send you for tests to ensure you receive a comprehensive diagnosis. Unless you’re dealing with minor injuries, such as a stubbed toe or bruise, you can ensure you treat all injuries immediately with a medical exam.
If you’ve injured a specific part of your body, you may opt to make an appointment with a specialist. For example, if you sprained your ankle or are having other ankle problems, you can google “foot and ankle specialists in Mechanicsburg, PA” to find an expert in your area who can treat your injuries. These experts can determine if you need ankle surgery and can perform the surgery if it’s required.
Your doctor may also recommend you see an occupational therapist or physical therapists who can treat mobility issues and pain. Occupational therapists help individuals recover the ability to perform routine tasks, such as buttoning shirts and tying shoes. If you’ve had a stroke or if the bones in your hands or wrists have been fractured, you may benefit from treatment from an occupational therapist.
Should you talk to a lawyer about your physical injury?
Workers’ compensation lawyers can help protect your legal rights if you’ve been injured in the workplace. You may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation payments if you’re unable to work for some time due to your injury. In some cases, employers can be held legally responsible for workplace injuries, and you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses. A lawyer who specializes in this area may also be able to secure financial compensation if you need to retrain for a different career or have had your quality of life permanently affected by your injuries.
Personal injury attorneys represent individuals who are injured outside the workplace. Whether you’ve been in a car accident, fallen in a store, or suffered a sports injury, you may also have a legal case for compensation if someone’s negligence caused the injury. Personal injury attorneys can help you receive compensation for medical expenses and personal expenses. These experts can also advise you about the benefits you may qualify for while you recover.
What are the common causes of psychological injuries?
Psychological injuries can be caused by verbal statements, written comments, and physical incidents. For example, people who are in a car accident may suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in addition to physical injuries. It’s also possible for people who experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to develop an anxiety disorder.
Your psychological health may impact your quality of life and, in some cases, can prevent you from returning to work or participating in activities you used to enjoy.
How can you promote your psychological well-being?
A therapist can help you process the events that led to your injury and how your injury impacts your life. In some cases, professional counseling may help you develop coping mechanisms to resume activities or decrease your anxiety. Psychological distress can also cause insomnia, and a psychologist may prescribe medication to treat that symptom.
You can also help promote your psychological health by engaging in self-care. Self-care can involve engaging in preferred activities or enjoying favorite foods. You may also opt to take a vacation to remove yourself from locations and people who remind you of your accident.
You may also feel your injury has made you unattractive, which can cause you to feel depressed. One way to address this is to invest in a new wardrobe. Buying petite dresses, jeggings, dresses, tunics, and accessories that accentuate your best features can help restore your confidence in your appearance. You may also appreciate new comfortable, flexible clothes if your injury is still causing you physical discomfort.
Should you talk to a lawyer about your psychological injury?
Individuals who suffer from PTSD, anxiety disorders, or psychological distress may be eligible to receive compensation. A personal injury lawyer can evaluate your situation to determine if you have a legal case you should pursue. Some individuals with PTSD and anxiety disorders are considered disabled, which means you may also be eligible to receive disability benefits.
Are there other injuries you can receive compensation for?
Injuries can also involve violations of your legal rights. For example, if a person enters your property and cuts down a tree, you have not sustained a physical or psychological injury. However, you have still sustained an injury because your property rights have been violated. If a service provider violates their privacy policy, you have also sustained an injury. This can be serious if your personal information has been disclosed, and you may need to take legal action to protect your rights. If a colleague with the same standing you have in the workplace earns more money because they’re a different gender or race, you have experienced an injury. When your legal rights are violated, you have legal grounds to proceed with a claim against the offender.
