Of the injuries you can suffer on the job, some of the most common are lacerations. Lacerations can happen almost anywhere. A clerk filing paperwork could get cut on a filing cabinet, a person in a factory could suffer an accidental amputation from a sharp blade on a piece of machinery or a driver could get into an accident and cut themselves on the glass.
There are so many ways that you could suffer from these wounds, but if they occur on the job, they should be covered by your workers’ compensation insurance.
Make sure you report lacerations
Lacerations are deep cuts or tears in the skin. Some lacerations are so deep that they can lead to amputation, where the body part is separated from the rest of the body.
Lacerations range in severity. Some may be minor, requiring a stitch or two and some bandages, while others may be so serious that surgery is needed to clean and close the wound.
Lacerations are normally irregular and jagged. They may be contaminated by bacteria or debris from whatever caused the cut. For example, the clerk who cut herself may have a small piece of metal, bacteria, dust or dirt in her wound.
It is important to report lacerations, because they are more than just a simple cut. They may need medical attention, surgical cleansing or other treatments to help them heal correctly. If you suffer a serious laceration on the job, call 911 or go to the hospital. Your employer can help you file a claim, and your attorney can assist in making sure any denied claim is appealed correctly.