Injuries happen in the workplace more than you think. While they’re supposed to be safe places, accidents can lead to injuries on construction sites, in offices, or even at home while performing job-related tasks. How do you know what qualifies as a work-related injury and where can you get timely care?
Choosing the right urgent care in Michigan can impact your recovery, treatment costs, and long-term health outcomes. Today we’ll talk about the basics of work-related injuries and how Michigan urgent care clinics support injured employees so they can get the treatment they need in a timely manner.
Work-Related Injuries: Explained
A work-related injury involves physical harm or illness that occurs as a result of a job-related task, environment, or condition. In 2023 alone, there were 2.5 million non-fatal work-related injuries and nearly 5,300 fatal work-related injuries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Examples of work-related injuries include:
- Acute injuries: Sudden events (falls, cuts, sprains, fractures)
- Repetitive strain injuries: Conditions that build over time with repeated motion (carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis)
- Overexertion injuries: Muscle or back injuries resulting from heavy lifting
- Exposure-related illnesses: Reactions to hazardous substances, extreme temperatures, or loud noises
- Falls, slips, and trips on flat surfaces or elevated areas
In order to get the treatment you need, file a workers’ compensation claim, and obtain proper documentation, it’s important to know what constitutes a work-related injury.
How Do Urgent Care Clinics Support Workplace Injuries?
No one plans to get hurt on the job. Work-related injuries happen without warning, often requiring a trip to the ER or urgent care setting. A visit to urgent care is often more desirable when you want a quick, effective, and cost-efficient option.
Urgent care clinics in Michigan offer:
- Fast evaluation and treatment for non-life-threatening injuries
- No wait for visits and no appointment necessary.
- On-site x-rays for suspected fractures or significant trauma
- Stitches and wound care for cuts and lacerations
- Splinting and bracing for sprains and strains
- Documentation and work-restrictions for employer and insurance purposes
With extended hours and shorter wait times than emergency departments, urgent care clinics are a more practical choice for many on-the-job injuries – but only if the injury is non-life-threatening.
When to Choose ER vs. Urgent Care For Workplace-Related Injuries
Not all injuries qualify for a trip to Michigan urgent care. Life-threatening or severe conditions warrant a call to 911 or a visit to the ER:
- Heavy bleeding that doesn’t stop
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, or neurological symptoms
- Suspected internal injuries after a fall or accident
- Severe head injuries
If you have sustained a painful injury that is not life threatening, such as a sprain, minor fracture, cut, or strain, urgent care is usually a quicker and more efficient option.
Common Workplace Injuries Seen at Urgent Care
Here are the top seven work-related injuries commonly treated in urgent care:
- Sprained ankles and wrists
- Minor fractures
- Back injuries from lifting
- Cuts requiring sutures
- Burns (first and second degree)
- Workplace falls
- Eye irritation or foreign body removal
Seeking Prompt Care is Critical
When a workplace injury occurs, it’s important to get seen and treated as soon as possible, as delaying care can result in:
- Worsening pain or swelling
- Heightened risk of infection
- Longer recovery time
- Complications affecting long-term mobility or function
Early treatment can also get you faster access to accurate documentation you will need to file a worker’s compensation claim and to schedule potential physical therapy appointments.
Prompt Care Supports Fast Healing
Knowing when and where to seek help forawork-related injury can spell the difference between long wait times and inefficient care. Urgent care clinics in Michigan provide accessible, timely, and cost-effective attention from board-certified doctors that can help with a wide range of work-related issues.
Not only does receiving prompt care support faster healing, it also ensures injuries are properly documented for workplace reporting and insurance purposes.
Contact Specialty Urgent Care
If you’ve sustained a work-related injury and need same-day care, walk in or call us today for efficient diagnosis and treatment. Our Dearborn location is open weekends!