No one plans to get hurt on the job, but for health care professionals, the challenges faced each day make it a distinct possibility. It's vital that you're able to seek the medical care you need if you're injured on the job, and workers' compensation does play a role in getting you the care you require.

As a medical professional, you likely already understand how expensive a life-altering injury can be. It's not just the initial time off work that impacts you, but the extensive medical bills and recovery time. Workers' compensation is there to help cover your losses, so it's important that you make a claim as soon as you can.

Of course, if you could avoid an accident in the workplace, that's worth more than any compensation could ever be. Here are a few ways you could get hurt and what to do to avoid injury.

1. Sprains and strains

Lifting patients is one of the most common reasons for nursing and medical staff members to suffer from sprains and strains. When people are unconscious or paralyzed, moving them takes extreme strength. The angles you need to lift a person can be difficult, too. Hospitals and medical facilities can help reduce the risk of injuries by installing patient lifts, which take away some of the stress that affects the nursing staff.

1. Cuts and punctures

Cuts and puncture wounds are particularly dangerous in a medical environment. Doctors and nurses often come across needles, scalpels and other tools that have the potential to cause serious illnesses and injuries. Avoid these injuries by handling equipment safely and always placing sharps into sharps containers after use.

1. Trauma from other sources

Angry family members, disoriented patients and other hazards in a medical setting pose a real threat to the staff. This is why it's vital to have security at the facility and to have a plan for disarming and defusing dangerous situations. With good planning, it's easier to stop attacks or dangerous patients without harm coming to the staff.

These are a few things to consider about injuries in the medical workplace. If you suffer an injury, workers' compensation should be there for you. Your attorney can help if your claim has been denied or if you need help submitting it.