There are times when you may suffer workplace injuries that have a significant impact on your life. One kind of injury that you hurt you, especially in the long-term, is a lung injury. Lung injuries can be caused by exposure to toxins, direct impacts and other issues in a work environment.
Lung injuries are categorized as either direct or indirect lung injuries. Direct injuries may be caused by:
- Aspiration, such as breathing the stomach’s contents into the lungs
- Shock
- Smoke inhalation
- Near-drowning
- Falls or other physical accidents
Indirect lung injuries can also happen at work. These may include injuries caused by:
- Sepsis from another injury
- Infections from wounds
- Burns
In a work environment, there are a few things that can be done to minimize the risk of lung injuries. The first is to be cautious about the chemicals and cleaning supplies that are used each day. Ammonia and bleach, for example, should not be mixed. If they are, you could have difficulty breathing.
Fire safety is also vital, because even if you’re able to escape the flames, the smoke can cause damaging lung issues as well.
Falls and other traumatic injuries can lead to lung punctures, bruising and other damage, so putting a focus on workplace safety and preventing those injuries is key.
Lung injuries may not be as common as some other injuries, but they can be brought on in the workplace. If you suffer from lung injuries on the job, then you may want to consider filing a workers’ compensation claim. That claim will help you get medical coverage and the financial support you need as you recover.
