Castan y Lecca Group
The nature of work activities can generate a number of injuries and situations that can put any employee at risk. That is why it is essential to have a general understanding of the types of injuries you may face while performing your daily tasks.

Overview of Common Workplace Injuries

Neck Injuries

This type of injury can occur in activities that require lifting heavy objects. Neck injuries can also happen due to adverse conditions in the work environment that may cause falling objects or accidental collisions.

Back Injuries

This injury turns out to be much more common than one might imagine because it is associated with a certain kind of movement.  For reference, these are the activities that have the highest rates of back injuries:
  • Construction work
  • High manual labor activities
  • Operating heavy machinery 
  • Petroleum extraction work
However, these types of injuries can occur across several different industries because each situation is completely unique. These injuries can vary depending on the degree of accident intensity, ranging from a minor problem to a permanent spinal injury.

Fractures

The injuries related to bone fractures are usually the ones that take the longest time for the worker to recover from. Therefore, they are the ones that represent a greater monetary compensation. Since carelessness, gross negligence or distraction can cause fractures, these types of incidents undoubtedly occur in any type of work. The most common fractures found in workplace injuries are the following:
  • Hand fracture
  • Leg fracture
  • Wrist fracture
  • Finger fracture
  • Rib fracture
You should keep in mind that although these are the most common, a number of fractures can occur in other parts of the body. Likewise, the treatments and recovery time are entirely different for each one.

Eye Injuries

These types of injuries are often related to a foreign object coming in contact with the eye over the course of a work-related activity. This can include debris, particles, pieces of wood, and dangerous liquids. In addition to that, common eye injuries can also be a result of overexposure to certain types of materials or environments.

Muscular Injuries

Among the injuries that may take a worker more time to recover and return to normal activities are muscle strains, since these injuries, depending on the level of severity, may require much more care and specialized treatments. These injuries include:
  • Muscle strains
  • Torn muscles
  • Sprains 
  • Bruises

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

This injury is one of the most common that workers have experienced in recent years. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when there is constant repetition of forced activities related to the hands. An example of this type of activity would include using a computer keyboard and mouse for hours at a time; the hands are in the same position for a long period and therefore develop injuries as a result. This condition can manifest as a variety of different symptoms in people, such as numbness, weakness, pain, tingling and, in some cases, even loss of mobility or numbness.

Hearing Loss or Injury

Injuries related to hearing or hearing loss are often overlooked. Contrary to what most people may think, this type of injury does not always occur due to a specific type of event. In reality, people in industries who are regularly exposed to loud noise (or who are in an environment where there are blasts or explosions) develop these types of hearing problems.

Burns

The consequences related to an injury of this particular nature are generally irreparable.They leave both physical and psychological impacts that take much more time to be repaired, if at all. These types of injuries may occur due to jobs that require chemical or explosive handling or in high-risk occupations where fires and explosions are faced on a daily basis.

Amputations Due to Injuries

Although the previously mentioned injuries are equally important, an amputation is one of the most permanent consequences that a worker can suffer. In the event of such an injury, a worker will have to readapt to life completely. For this same reason, the compensation that a person deserves to receive due to this injury must be adequate enough to help him/her recover his/her life and financial stability. Injuries that result in amputation usually occur in environments where workers are operating heavy machinery. Activities related to heavy machinery or equipment always put workers’ well being at risk.

Head Injury

Head injuries can have multiple causes and can occur due to the nature of a particular occupation. Specifically speaking, injuries can be caused by objects related to the trade itself (such as construction); these objects can include heavy machinery, wood, or pipes. Sometimes, head injuries can also be a result of work in factories and warehouses. Furthermore, they can also happen due to accidental occurrences like slips and falls.  Whenever any type of  injury occurs, it is a complex situation. However, what makes a head injury complicated is the severity it can represent; they can range anywhere from contusions or hematomas to irreparable brain damage–which could change the victim’s life forever.

What Should You Do In Case of a Workplace Injury?

Common-injuries-in-atlanta

Of course, the injuries listed above are not the only ones that a worker may face in the course of his or her career. There are many more to mention, such as paralysis, repetitive strain injuries, and even psychological conditions due to work-related stress or severity. It is also essential to keep in mind that workplace injuries are not limited to a context where the employee is present inside the office or the building any work activities are performed. Of course, if the work is performed outdoors or if the worker must travel as part of their activities, incidents that occur in these contexts will also count as accidents at work. Regardless of the type of injury or where it occurs, it is important to have the support of an experienced injury attorney. He or she will be able to analyze your situation and give you the guidance you need to receive the appropriate compensation that is right for you and your family. At Castan & Lecca, we are ready to help you address all of your concerns in any personal injury case you may be facing. If you have doubts about whether the injury you or a family member is facing deserves compensation, call us! We are ready to support you and be your best advocate throughout this process.
(864)761-4141

Dustin Thompson

Attorney

Dustin Thompson was raised in rural Camilla, Georgia. Dustin graduated from Georgia Southern University majoring in political science and history. After graduation, Dustin obtained a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta. Before becoming a lawyer, Dustin worked a variety of jobs from a watermelon farm in Mitchell County to a policy think tank in Washington D.C. Dustin has practiced law almost exclusively in the workers’ compensation arena since 2014. For nearly a decade, he worked for a large defense firm in Georgia representing employers and insurers and gaining the invaluable experience and knowledge of how insurers defend claims. In 2023, Dustin joined the firm to use his expertise and litigation skills to help individuals who have been injured as a result of work accidents and third-party negligence.  Dustin has been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” in the practice of workers’ compensation. Outside of work, Dustin enjoys traveling, hunting, and attending sporting events. He and his family are active in Buckhead Church.

MICHAEL BOESCHEN

Attorney

Michael Boeschen (Mike) was born in Wichita, KS and raised in Chattanooga, TN. Mike graduated from The McCallie School and went on to study history, Spanish, and Latin American Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from the University Of Georgia School Of Law. During law school, Mike participated in the Legal Aid Clinic, assisting in the defense of indigent criminal defendants. Mike has been licensed to practice law in Georgia since 2002 and his main practice area consists of representing injured workers as they navigate through the Georgia workers’ compensation system. Mike is also fluent in Spanish. In his spare time Mike enjoys following soccer, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two young daughters. Mike and his family are parishioners of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA

CHRISTIAN PECONE

Attorney

ED DENKER

Attorney

Edward Denker was born in Philadelphia, PA but has made Georgia his home since 1999. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. He then earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia. Edward spent his first years in practice representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death claims. He then spent more than a decade honing his litigation skills representing employers and insurers in workers’ compensation claims, where he gained immense experience and knowledge of how insurers defend those claims. In 2017, Edward returned to his passion of representing people who have been injured at work or through the negligence of others. When he isn’t working, Edward enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children. He is also an avid sports fan, and enjoys cooking and travel

ILIANA DOBREV

Attorney

Iliana Dobrev was born in Bulgaria. After high school, she immigrated to the United States to study law. She graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s in political science concentrating on pre-law and minoring in Spanish. In 2015, she graduated from Georgia State University College of Law. While in law school, Iliana completed a Graduate Research Assistantship in Labor and Employment Law and Employment Discrimination and two externships in Immigration Law. As an immigrant herself, Iliana is passionate about advocating for and defending immigrants. She is delighted to help families stay together and pursue the American dream. Iliana is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and worked in both a fellowship and a firm specializing in immigration law. Iliana is fluent in Bulgarian and Spanish
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KEN THAXTON

Attorney

Ken Thaxton was born and raised in Roberta, GA. When Ken was a child, his father started a trucking business, which Ken ultimately spent over ten years working with through his late teens and twenties. Ken graduated from Houston County High School in Warner Robins, GA in 2001 with a 4.0 GPA. He then studied Business and Information Technology at Macon State College, ultimately graduating with a 4.0 GPA in 2004. After graduation, Ken continued to work with his father’s trucking company, and in late 2005, Ken and his father started an aircraft charter company, Southern Jet, Inc., under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Ken served as President of Southern Jet from 2006 until 2010, when he and his father sold the company. Ken is a Commercially Licensed Instrument, Multi-Engine Pilot. While serving as President of Southern Jet, Ken started Law School at the University of Georgia School of Law in 2009. Ken focused primarily on business and civil law, including Workers’ Compensation, while at UGA. He graduated Cum Laude and in the top 25% of his class from UGA Law in 2012. Ken is a licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia, and he is also a licensed neutral (mediator) in the State of Georgia. Ken represents small businesses in transactional matters and business conflicts, and he also represents injured workers and Plaintiffs injured in cases of negligence. During his spare time, Ken enjoys swimming, cycling, sporting clays, and fishing. He also does charity work with a national scholarship fund
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ALEXANDER LECCA

Attorney

Alexander Lecca (Alex) was born in Miami, Florida to immigrant parents from Cuba and Peru. Alex graduated from Coral Gables High School, where he was a recipient of the Elsa Glazer Award (given to students who graduate with a 3.5 GPA and above). He went on to study marketing at the University of Miami School of Business Administration. At the University of Miami he was also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. In law school, Alex received several book awards and graduated Cum Laude. During law school Alex clerked for the Honorable Beth Bloom, had an internship with the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s office, and clerked for a prestigious litigation law firm. Alex is licensed to practice law in both Georgia and Florida and handles workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. He is also a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Alex is also fluent in Spanish. During his spare time, Alex enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and four children. He also helps coach his children’s baseball, football, basketball, and soccer teams. Alex and his family are parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church

DANIEL CASTAN 

Attorney

Dan Castan is a senior partner at Castan and Lecca, PC in Buckhead and represents injured workers before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation and plaintiffs in State and Superior Courts of Georgia for injuries suffered in accidents. Dan litigated one of the seminal claims securing the rights of undocumented workers to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits in the state of Georgia when injured in the case of Wet Walls, Inc. vs. Ledesma. Dan has successfully fought and settled multi million dollar cases. He was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to immigrant parents from Cuba. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and received his Juris Doctor from The Washington College of Law at The American University in Washington D.C.  Dan was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November, 1993.  He is an active member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta Bar Association and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Dan is a founding member and Director of the Latino Victory Fund Georgia and serves on the Board of The Latin American Association. Dan has been dedicated to getting Latinos elected to local, state and Federal offices in Georgia. He has been a Big Brother through Big Brothers and Sisters of Metro Atlanta and a mentor through The Latin American Association’s mentor/mentee program. Dan is married with two children.