Work-Related Injuries Among Surgeons

Health care workers in various different positions, including hospital workers in a wide range of jobs, can be at risk for serious work-related injuries. While studies on hospital and health care worker injuries often focus on nurses and nursing staff, and others who have physically demanding jobs that involve frequent physical contact with patients, the required tasks of surgeons can also be physically demanding in a way that is often less recognized. In addition, surgeons are exposed to many of the same risks as other hospital workers, which can often be serious.

Surgeons who sustain work-related injuries, like other health care workers, can be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. To be clear, workers’ compensation eligibility is not tied to your wages. Even if you are a very high earner, you can still obtain workers’ compensation benefits in the event of a workplace injury. Our Maryland hospital worker injury lawyers can tell you more about the types of injuries that most commonly impact surgeons, and we can help you to seek workers’ compensation benefits when such injuries require time away from work.

Occupational Injuries Impacting Surgeons 

Surgeons, similar to other types of hospital and health care workers, can be at risk of work-related injuries and illnesses. According to a study published in the International Journal of Health Sciences, the following are the most commonly reported work-related injuries and illnesses among surgeons:

• Sharps injuries;
• Exposure to blood borne pathogens;
• Allergic reactions to latex;
• Laser plumes;
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals;
• Exposure to anesthetic gases;
• Equipment-related injuries; and
• Ergonomic injuries.

As that study underscores, “surgeons commonly work with sharp instruments and complex equipment in performing procedures,” which exposes them to various types of injuries, especially affecting their fingers, hands, arms, and wrists. In addition, “surgeons are in close quarters with patients, who may also have infectious illnesses or diseases,” and they also commonly must remain in a static posture for extended periods of time, which can lead to various musculoskeletal injuries.

Ergonomics Challenges Faced by Surgeons 

Ergonomic challenges, resulting in musculoskeletal injuries, are among the most commonly reported types of injury by surgeons. According to the American College of Surgeons (ACOS), performing surgical procedures is physically demanding, and ergonomic injuries are an inherent risk in that work.

Indeed, as ACOS reports, “as many as seven in 10 surgeons in all specialties experience musculoskeletal injuries or pain,” and female surgeons in particular. Pain is often concentrated in the neck, shoulders, back, and jaw. Depending on the severity, these types of repetitive stress or motion injuries can require time away from work for recovery.

Contact a Maryland Workers’ Compensation Attorney

 Highly skilled workers, just like other employees in the health care field, can sustain serious work-related injuries that can impact their ability to perform the requirements of the job. While the wage replacement benefit limits on workers’ compensation ultimately may mean that a surgeon receives only a small portion of their salary, workers’ compensation coverage can cover medical benefits and provide disability benefits. To find out more about seeking workers’ compensation, you should get in touch with one of the experienced Maryland hospital worker injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC. Contact us today for more information.

Sources:

facs.org/for-medical-professionals/news-publications/news-and-articles/bulletin/2022/september-2022-volume-107-issue-9/surgeons-face-unique-ergonomic-challenges/

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4825900/