No one goes into work expecting to get injured. No matter the career, every job comes with a certain risk of injury. However, manufacturing jobs tend to have a higher risk of injury. Researching common workplace injuries in furniture and manufacturing plants in Hickory, NC, can help you stay safe.
Hire a Manufacturing Work Injury Lawyer to Represent Your Case
When recovering from your injury, you deserve to have a lawyer on your side that you trust. Attorney Helton of Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, knows the devastating effects a workplace injury can have on victims and their families. For
For more than two decades, Attorney Helton has focused on workers’ compensation law and personal injury law. His goal is to protect his North Carolina neighbors and community members during their most difficult moments in life.
Nine Common Manufacturing Workplace Injuries
In 2024, some of the top employers in Hickory included Corning Optical Communications, CommScope, Pierre Foods Inc., GKN ePowertrain, and Century Furniture LLC. That same year, there were 64,200 workplace injuries and illnesses throughout North Carolina’s private job industries.
There were 2.2 workplace incidents per 100 full-time workers in the manufacturing industry. Manufacturing jobs come with a high risk of injury, and understanding the common injury types can help you stay safe in the future. These injuries include:
- Overexertion. Because of the stress put on workers’ bodies during their shifts, joints, nerves, and muscles may experience injury over a long period of time. Using proper lifting and moving techniques is key to protecting yourself.
- Falling objects. Head trauma and other bodily injuries caused by improperly secured objects in the workplace can be life-threatening to workers.
- Repetitive stress injuries. While any job can cause a repetitive stress injury, the types of repetitive motions used during a manufacturing plant job can have a higher risk for workers.
Common repetitive stress injuries include tendonitis and carpal tunnel, caused by repetitive motions on the hand, elbow, arm, and wrist. When a worker repeats repetitive motions every day, it can cause long-term damage and chronic pain if left untreated. This type of injury can be difficult to prove was caused by work, as it often takes a while to present symptoms.
- Ear damage. Every year, 22 million workers throughout the nation are exposed to damaging levels of noise. Manufacturing plants tend to be loud, which can cause tinnitus and other types of ear damage to workers. Noise over 85 decibels can cause permanent damage, and wearing proper ear protection is essential.
- Machine injuries. Machine injuries are common in industrial plants, whether from a faulty machine, a worker’s body part, or clothing snagging in a machine and crushing or cutting them, or workers not adhering to safety protocols and the lockout-tagout procedure.
- Slips and falls. This is one of the most common types of workplace injury, with 48,308 people throughout the nation dying from a fall at home or work in 2024.
- Burns and electrocution. Manufacturing jobs typically come with a higher risk of burns or electrocution due to the heavy machinery being used. Furniture plants have a high risk of fire due to the wood, mineral spirits, and oils being used.
- Cuts and lacerations. This type of injury can range from a simple paper cut to an amputation caused by a buzz saw. It’s important to always stay vigilant when working around tools in the plant.
- Exposure to dangerous substances and chemicals. Industrial plants often use chemicals during the manufacturing process, and improper safety measures can lead to workers developing illnesses due to frequent exposure.
Workers’ Compensation Laws in North Carolina
After being injured at work, you’ll need to seek immediate medical attention. Your health and safety are the priority. You’ll then have 30 days to inform your employer of the incident, both verbally and in writing.
Once you file your workers’ compensation claim, your employer will either approve or deny it. If approved, you could access workers’ compensation benefits while you recover. Be sure to hire a manufacturing work injury lawyer to help you understand your rights as a North Carolina worker and navigate your workers’ compensation case.
FAQs
What Happens if My Workers’ Comp Claim Gets Denied?
In North Carolina, if your workers’ comp claim gets denied, you have the legal right to file a request to appeal the denial. Claims are often denied when the employer’s insurance company doesn’t believe the injury was caused by work. Your lawyer can represent your case to the judge to advocate for your benefits.
What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Can I Get After a Work Injury in North Carolina?
After experiencing a work injury in North Carolina, you can get two main types of workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits include full medical treatment and rehabilitation services, as well as a part of your wages while you recover. The wages will be approximately two-thirds of what your weekly wage is on average and are paid to you weekly.
How Do I Prove My Injuries Happened From My Job?
To prove your injuries happened from your job, you’ll need to gather evidence such as your medical records, where your doctor has noted the cause of your injuries. Take photos and videos of the incident site, your injuries, and the cause of the incident, such as a faulty machine. Security footage of the incident and testimony from eyewitness coworkers can provide clarity.
Can I File a Manufacturing Work Injury Claim Against My Employer for My Workplace Injury?
You generally cannot file a manufacturing work injury claim against your employer for your workplace injury unless their reckless or intentional actions caused the incident. However, you could file a legal claim against a third party if they were responsible, such as an independent contractor. Filing can be completed at the Catawba County Courthouse, located at 100 Government Drive in Newton.
Choose Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, to Take on Your Case
Get in touch with Attorney Helton of Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, today to learn how he can help you during this difficult period in life. He can offer clear legal knowledge, providing you with the tools you need to regain control of your life after experiencing destabilization. Our firm represents clients living throughout Catawba, Burke, and Caldwell counties.
