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As employers, it becomes your responsibility to assess and mitigate workplace hazards and implement safety protocols in order to reduce the risk of sprained ankles. Your workers could be at risk of a sprained ankle at work due to an accident or incident involving the lower extremities.
Below, we have compiled a list of some common scenarios in which your employee could be exposed to a sprained ankle injury at the workplace.
Uneven surfaces, wet floors, or objects left in walkways can lead to slips, trips, and falls, causing an individual to twist or turn and consequently sprain their ankle upon impact.
If your employee is lifting or carrying heavy objects incorrectly or without proper body mechanics, it can lead to loss of balance and ankle injuries that could result in an ankle sprain.
Stairwells are a fairly common location for employees getting injured with a sprained ankle. Tripping while ascending or descending stairs can cause the ankle to twist, leading to a sprain.
Work environments with potential hazards, such as construction sites, factories, or warehouses, may have equipment, tools, or materials that could cause an ankle sprain if mishandled or if safety precautions are not followed.
In jobs that involve working at heights, a fall can result in various injuries, including sprained ankles. Landing awkwardly upon descent can lead to the twisting or hyperextension of the ankle.
Jobs that require repetitive movements or prolonged periods of standing, walking, or using uneven surfaces may contribute to ankle sprains.
Wearing inappropriate or ill-fitting footwear that does not provide your feet with proper support at work can increase the risk of ankle injuries.
Workers involved in jobs that require driving or operating machinery may be at risk of ankle injuries if there is a collision or if the vehicle is not properly secured.
The National Safety Council (NSC) provides an estimated figure of anywhere between $1000 to $30,955 for an ankle sprain. As an employee, once you are aware of the type and extent of injury, you get a solid base for pursuing a settlement for a work-related sprain.
The average settlement an employer might have to provide for an ankle sprain depends on multiple factors:
Worker’s compensation is a benefits program that is designed to cover any loss in wages and
medical bills of your employee who is suffering from a work-related injury, such as an ankle
sprain.
For an employee to receive worker’s compensation for a sprained ankle, the injury must be the
direct result of the employer’s negligence. Any worker who is injured on a job can potentially
have a worker’s compensation claim.
Depending on the severity of the sprain, employees may be entitled to receive lost wages,
medical expenses, and any costs of vocational rehabilitation and disability.
Work Partners is where healthcare meets the workplace to ensure the well-being of all employees and employers and the optimization of occupational health.
With a unique focus on the intersection of health and work, the dedicated professionals at Work Partners are adept at identifying and managing workplace-related health issues, promoting preventive measures, and collaborating with employers to create healthier and safer work environments. From addressing occupational hazards to supporting rehabilitation after work-related injuries, we can successfully contribute to the holistic health and productivity of workers across various industries.
Here is what Work Partners can do if your employee or you, as an employee, suffers from an ankle sprain at the workplace.
Abbreviations Used:
IW – Injured Worker
EE – Employee
ER – Emergency Room
HSE – Health & Safety Environment Officer
Provide common sense protection to the affected joint after an ankle sprain to prevent further injury.
Common sense activities as the IW continues to work. May continue to work as tolerated.
*Disclaimer: Work Partners USA is only acting as a safety advisor to the company and its representatives, not the injured worker. When we talk to the injured worker, we are doing it on behalf of the company, not as an advisor to the injured worker.
The EE or Supervisor may contact a doctor at Work Partners at any time should there be any questions or concerns. The doctor at Work Partners should also be contacted if there is a desire to go to a clinic or ER so that they may contact the Supervisor or the HSE and the receiving facility.
