Healthcare Professionals

Medical professionals—including nurses, EMTs, and paramedics—face daily hazards that put them at risk of serious injury. From lifting and moving patients to handling violent individuals in high-stress emergency situations, healthcare workers are regularly exposed to physical and psychological trauma.

When injuries occur in the line of duty, medical professionals need legal advocates who understand the full range of benefits and compensation available to them. An experienced law firm can coordinate claims under Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system and personal injury claims.

Trusted by healthcare workers across the state, the attorneys at Meuser, Yackley & Rowland ensure that those who dedicate their lives to patient care receive the compensation and benefits they deserve when injuries impact their ability to work.

Mental Health: PTSD Among Medical Professionals

The psychological toll of working in emergency and healthcare settings is immense. Nurses, EMTs, and paramedics frequently witness traumatic events, including severe injuries, patient deaths, and violent encounters. Over time, repeated exposure to such trauma can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a debilitating condition that affects mental health, relationships, and job performance. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, severe anxiety, depression, and difficulty sleeping, all of which can significantly impair a medical professional’s ability to work and maintain a normal life.

Minnesota law recognizes PTSD as a compensable work-related injury under the workers’ compensation system. Healthcare workers diagnosed with PTSD are entitled to wage loss benefits, medical treatment, and psychological support. Additionally, those who are permanently disabled due to PTSD may qualify for SSDI or PERA disability benefits (PERA benefits are available to Hennepin County Health Care [HCMC] paramedics who are members of the PERA police and fire plan).

Physical Injuries: Wear-and-Tear and Catastrophic Injuries

Medical professionals are at high risk of both acute and chronic physical injuries. The nature of their work requires them to move quickly in emergency situations, lift patients, transport heavy medical equipment, and stand for long hours in high-stress environments. The understaffing of Minnesota’s healthcare facilities further exacerbates these risks, as medical professionals are often required to work longer shifts with fewer breaks, increasing physical strain and exhaustion.

One of the most significant contributors to wear-and-tear injuries among healthcare workers is prolonged standing and walking on hard surfaces for long shifts. This can lead to chronic foot pain, knee damage, hip degeneration, and lower back issues. Many medical professionals develop conditions such as plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and stress fractures, which can severely impact their ability to continue working.

Additionally, catastrophic injuries—such as orthopedic injuries to the shoulders, back, knees, and hips, as well as traumatic brain injuries—are common in medical settings. These injuries can result from lifting patients, slips and falls, equipment malfunctions, and other workplace hazards. Workers’ compensation provides medical and wage loss benefits for these injuries, but securing these benefits often requires legal advocacy to ensure healthcare workers receive full and fair compensation.

Patient Assaults: A Growing Concern for Healthcare Workers

One of the most significant dangers faced by medical professionals is the risk of patient assaults. Nurses, EMTs, and paramedics often work with individuals experiencing mental health crises, drug overdoses, or extreme distress, which can lead to violent outbursts. Medical professionals may be kicked, punched, bitten, or otherwise attacked while providing care, resulting in serious injuries such as concussions, fractures, and soft tissue damage.

The risks associated with patient assaults are significantly heightened by understaffing, which limits the ability of healthcare workers to respond to violent incidents effectively. In many cases, workers must manage these situations with inadequate security or backup, increasing the likelihood of severe injuries.

Minnesota’s workers’ compensation laws cover injuries sustained from patient assaults, but these cases can become complex, especially when multiple claims for physical and psychological injuries arise. An experienced legal team can ensure that injured medical professionals receive the appropriate medical treatment, wage loss benefits, and disability support needed to recover from their injuries.

Injuries from Lifting Patients: A Common Cause of Workplace Disability

Lifting and transferring patients is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries among nurses, EMTs, and paramedics. Medical professionals are often required to lift or move individuals who are much larger than themselves, sometimes in emergency situations where proper lifting techniques cannot be followed. These repetitive motions and awkward positions place extreme strain on the back, shoulders, and joints, leading to serious injuries such as herniated discs, muscle tears, and chronic lower back pain.

Many healthcare professionals develop disabling injuries over time, forcing them to take significant time off work or leave their profession prematurely. Workers’ compensation benefits cover injuries sustained from lifting patients, including wage loss benefits and medical treatment. However, many healthcare workers find it challenging to navigate the claims process while dealing with debilitating pain and potential career-ending injuries. Legal representation ensures that injured medical professionals receive the full benefits they are entitled to, allowing them to focus on recovery and their future.

Infectious Disease Exposure: The Long-Term Consequences

Medical professionals face a heightened risk of contracting infectious diseases due to their regular exposure to sick patients. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the dangers nurses, EMTs, and paramedics face in treating contagious individuals. Many healthcare workers who contracted COVID-19 have continued to suffer from long-term effects, known as Long-COVID syndrome, which can include chronic fatigue, respiratory issues, neurological impairments, and cardiovascular complications.

Workers’ compensation benefits may cover the costs associated with contracting infectious diseases on the job, including medical expenses and wage loss benefits. However, proving that an illness was work-related can be challenging, particularly when insurers attempt to dispute claims based on community transmission. A knowledgeable legal team can help medical professionals navigate these claims, ensuring they receive the care and benefits they deserve.

Conclusion: Protecting Those Who Care for Us

Minnesota medical professionals dedicate their lives to providing care in one of the most challenging and high-risk environments. When they suffer work-related injuries—whether due to PTSD, patient assaults, lifting injuries, or infectious diseases—they deserve comprehensive legal representation to secure the benefits and compensation they need. Navigating the complex web of workers’ compensation, disability benefits, healthcare continuation, and personal injury claims can be overwhelming, especially for those already dealing with a serious injury.

Meuser, Yackley & Rowland, P.A. is the trusted choice for Minnesota medical professionals seeking legal representation. With a proven track record of success, they ensure that first responders and healthcare workers receive the full range of benefits available to them, allowing them to focus on recovery and their future. When injury strikes in the line of duty, medical professionals can count on Meuser, Yackley & Rowland to protect their rights and fight for the compensation they deserve.

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Learn More About Our Work With First Responders

Read Related Articles

The Increased Risk of Work-Related Injuries Faced by Minnesota Medical Professionals

Mental Health: PTSD Among Medical Professionals

Physical Injuries: Wear-and-Tear and Catastrophic Injuries

Patient Assaults: A Growing Concern for Healthcare Workers

Injuries from Lifting Patients: A Common Cause of Workplace Disability

Infectious Disease Exposure: The Long-Term Consequences

Conclusion: Protecting Those Who Care for Us

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Healthcare Professionals

Learn More About Our Work With First Responders

Read Related Articles

The Increased Risk of Work-Related Injuries Faced by Minnesota Medical Professionals

Mental Health: PTSD Among Medical Professionals

Physical Injuries: Wear-and-Tear and Catastrophic Injuries

Patient Assaults: A Growing Concern for Healthcare Workers

Injuries from Lifting Patients: A Common Cause of Workplace Disability

Infectious Disease Exposure: The Long-Term Consequences

Conclusion: Protecting Those Who Care for Us

Request a free Case Evaluation

Click here for a free Case Evaluation

Request a Free Case Evaluation

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