Serious Non-Impact Workplace Injuries: What You Need to Know

Many workplace injuries involve heavy machinery, falling objects, and slips and falls. These incidents often result in blunt force trauma, a major source of catastrophic injuries, but not all job-related injuries are caused by blunt trauma. Some of the most severe and life-altering workplace injuries occur without physical impact, often silently and invisibly, yet they can be just as catastrophic. 

These non-impact workplace injuries may stem from exposure to chemicals, radiation, electricity, or extreme environmental conditions. In many cases, they leave lasting physical, neurological, or psychological damage. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious non-impact injury at work, it’s critical to understand your rights, how liability works, and what steps you can take to seek justice and compensation. 

What Are Non-Impact Workplace Injuries? 

Non-impact injuries are those that do not involve direct physical contact from an object, person, or fall. They can result from environmental exposures, repetitive motions, or internal medical events triggered by unsafe work conditions. Despite the absence of visible trauma, these injuries can be debilitating, life-threatening, or even fatal. 

Common Types of Serious Non-Impact Injuries 

• Severe Electrical Shock or Electrocution: High-voltage contact can cause nerve damage, burns, cardiac arrest, and long-term neurological impairment. 
• Acute Chemical Exposure: Inhalation or skin contact with toxic chemicals can lead to respiratory failure, organ damage, or chemical burns. 
• Thermal Burns: Exposure to high temperatures or steam without direct contact can cause severe internal and external injuries. 
• Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs): Prolonged repetitive movements like lifting or manual labor can result in chronic pain, muscle tears, and nerve damage. 
• Asphyxiation or Oxygen Deprivation: Poor ventilation or toxic gases can cause loss of consciousness, brain damage, or death. 
• Severe Radiation Exposure: Often associated with medical, industrial, or research settings, radiation exposure can cause cellular damage, cancer, and organ failure. 
• Biological Exposure: Healthcare workers and lab technicians may be exposed to infectious diseases through improper handling of biological materials. 
• Seizures or Cardiac Events: High-stress environments, heat exposure, or chemical triggers can provoke medical emergencies in vulnerable employees. 

How Are These Injuries Caused? 

Serious non-impact injuries typically result from unsafe working environments, inadequate safety protocols, poor training, or employer negligence. Some of the most common causes include: 

• Lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Without proper gloves, masks, or suits, workers are left vulnerable to chemical, biological, and electrical hazards. 
• Inadequate Safety Training: Employees may not be educated on how to handle hazardous materials, use protective equipment, or respond to emergencies. 
• Poorly Maintained Equipment: Faulty wiring, broken ventilation systems, or uncalibrated machinery can expose workers to unseen dangers. 
• Improper Storage of Hazardous Materials: Leaking containers or unlabelled chemicals can cause unintentional exposure. 
• High-Stress or High-Heat Work Conditions: Environments like commercial kitchens, foundries, or factories may contribute to cardiac or neurological events without proper monitoring or breaks. 

Employers have a legal duty to anticipate and mitigate these risks. When they fail to do so, and a worker is seriously harmed, they may be held accountable under both workers’ compensation laws and in some cases, civil personal injury lawsuits. 

Symptoms and Consequences of Serious Non-Impact Injuries 

These injuries often come with delayed symptoms, making them especially dangerous. If you’ve been exposed to a harmful environment or substance, early detection is key. Left untreated, many of these symptoms can evolve into chronic conditions.  

Common symptoms to watch for include: 

• Respiratory difficulty or chest pain 
• Severe headaches or disorientation 
• Muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling 
• Skin rashes or chemical burns 
• Sudden seizures or fainting 
• Memory loss or confusion 
• Chronic pain from repetitive motion 
• Visual or auditory disturbances 

Who Can Be Held Liable for Non-Impact Workplace Injuries? 

In New Jersey, most work-related injuries fall under the workers’ compensation system, which provides medical care and wage replacement regardless of who was at fault. However, if third-party negligence played a role, or if the employer committed gross misconduct, you may be able to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit for additional compensation. 

Potentially Liable Parties May Include: 

• Employers (in rare cases involving willful misconduct or unsafe working conditions outside the scope of workers’ comp) 
• Property owners (if unsafe work conditions existed on a job site not controlled by your employer) 
• Contractors or subcontractors 
• Equipment manufacturers (in cases of malfunctioning or unsafe tools and gear) 
• Chemical or product manufacturers (if hazardous materials were improperly labeled or designed) 

Your Right to a Safe Workplace 

Under both federal and New Jersey state law, employers are legally required to maintain a safe and healthy workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces safety standards and investigates violations. In New Jersey, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development provides additional oversight and resources. 

Workers have the right to: 

• Be informed of hazardous conditions 
• Receive proper safety training 
• Be provided with PPE 
• Report unsafe working conditions without retaliation 
• File for workers’ compensation after an injury 

When these rights are violated and someone is seriously harmed, legal action may be necessary to seek justice and prevent future harm to others. 

Injured at Work? Get Help from a Personal Injury Lawyer 

If you’ve suffered a serious non-impact injury at work, you’re likely facing medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about your future. You shouldn’t have to navigate that alone. 

At Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, our experienced personal injury and workers’ compensation attorneys fight for workers across New Jersey who have been harmed by unsafe conditions. We can help you: 

• File and manage your workers’ compensation claim 
• Investigate the cause of your injury 
• Identify all responsible parties 
• Pursue a personal injury or third-party liability lawsuit 
• Secure the compensation you need to recover and rebuild 

Contact Us for a Free Consultation 

Serious non-impact injuries can change your life in an instant, even if the injury wasn’t visible at first. If you or a loved one has been injured on the job due to chemical exposure, electrical shock, oxygen deprivation, or any other unsafe condition, don’t wait to seek help. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. There are no fees unless we win your case. Contact our team today for a free case consultation.