Healthcare workers keep Nebraska's hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and care facilities running — often at great personal risk. Nurses, certified nursing assistants, medical technicians, home health aides, and other healthcare professionals face some of the highest injury rates of any industry in the country.

From lifting patients and handling needles to enduring workplace violence, healthcare workers put their bodies on the line every shift. When an injury happens, you deserve more than just a pat on the back — you deserve full workers' compensation benefits.

At Johnson Tabor & Johnson, we represent healthcare workers across Nebraska who have been injured on the job. Our senior partner spent over 40 years as defense counsel for major insurance carriers. He knows how insurers evaluate healthcare injury claims and what strategies they use to deny or minimize benefits. That experience is now your advantage.

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Common Healthcare Worker Injuries in Nebraska

Healthcare consistently ranks among the most injury-prone industries in the United States. In Nebraska, the education and health services sector is one of the top three supersectors for workplace injuries. The physical demands of patient care, combined with fast-paced environments and understaffing, create conditions where injuries happen every day.

Patient Lifting & Handling Injuries

The number one cause of injury for nurses and CNAs. Lifting, repositioning, and transferring patients causes back injuries, herniated discs, shoulder tears, and knee damage.

Needlestick & Sharps Injuries

Accidental punctures from needles, scalpels, and other sharp instruments expose healthcare workers to bloodborne pathogens including HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

Workplace Violence

Healthcare workers account for a disproportionate share of all workplace violence injuries. Assaults by patients, family members, or visitors can cause serious physical and psychological harm.

Infectious Disease Exposure

Direct patient contact puts healthcare workers at risk for tuberculosis, MRSA, COVID-19, influenza, and other communicable diseases contracted in the workplace.

Other Common Healthcare Injuries

  • Slip and fall injuries on wet hospital floors
  • Repetitive stress injuries (carpal tunnel, tendinitis)
  • Chemical exposure from cleaning agents and medications
  • Radiation exposure for radiology and imaging staff
  • Back and spinal injuries from prolonged standing
  • Shoulder and rotator cuff tears
  • Emotional trauma and PTSD from workplace events
  • Latex allergies and dermatitis from protective equipment

Healthcare Workers We Represent

Johnson Tabor & Johnson represents healthcare professionals at every level of patient care throughout Nebraska, including:

  • Registered Nurses (RNs)
  • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
  • Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
  • Home Health Aides
  • Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
  • Paramedics
  • Medical Technicians and Lab Workers
  • Surgical Staff
  • Physical and Occupational Therapists
  • Hospital Support Staff (housekeeping, dietary, transport)
  • Nursing Home and Assisted Living Staff
  • Dental Professionals

Whether you work in a major Omaha hospital, a rural clinic in Grand Island, a nursing home in Lincoln, or provide home health care anywhere in Nebraska — we're here to fight for your benefits.

Why Healthcare Workers' Comp Claims Are Unique

Healthcare worker injuries present challenges that other workers' compensation claims typically do not. Understanding these challenges can help you protect your claim.

Cumulative Injuries Are the Norm

Many healthcare injuries don't happen in a single dramatic event. Instead, they develop gradually from years of physically demanding patient care. A nurse who lifts and repositions patients hundreds of times per month may not notice the damage to her back until the pain becomes unbearable. Nebraska Workers' Compensation Law covers these cumulative injuries — but insurance companies routinely deny them, arguing the injury is due to aging rather than work.

Understaffing Creates Dangerous Conditions

When hospitals and nursing homes are short-staffed, healthcare workers are often forced to handle patients alone that policy says should require two-person assists. This dramatically increases the risk of injury. Even if your employer was understaffed, you are still entitled to full workers' compensation benefits — and your employer's staffing failures do not reduce your claim.

Workplace Violence Is Underreported

Many healthcare workers don't report assaults by patients because they feel it's "part of the job." It isn't — and the resulting injuries are absolutely covered by workers' compensation. If a patient, visitor, or coworker has physically harmed you while you were working, you have a valid claim.

 We Know How Insurance Companies Fight Healthcare Claims. Our senior partner defended insurance carriers for over 40 years. We've seen firsthand how insurers minimize healthcare worker injuries, dispute causation on cumulative injury claims, and use biased IMEs to cut off benefits. That inside knowledge is what makes us effective advocates for healthcare workers.

 Watch Out for Biased IMEs. Insurance companies frequently send healthcare workers to their own doctor — an Independent Medical Examination (IME) — hoping to get an opinion that your injury isn't work-related. If that happens, you could lose your medical benefits and wage replacement entirely. Our attorneys know how to challenge biased IME reports and protect your claim.

Workers' Comp Benefits for Injured Healthcare Workers

If you were injured while providing patient care or performing job duties at a Nebraska healthcare facility, you may be entitled to:

Medical Benefits

Full coverage for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment — surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions, imaging, and specialist care.

Temporary Disability

Wage replacement benefits while you are unable to work due to your injury, based on your average weekly wage.

Permanent Disability

Compensation for lasting impairments — chronic pain, loss of range of motion, or reduced physical capacity that affects your ability to work.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Job retraining and placement assistance if your injury prevents you from returning to direct patient care or your previous role.

Representing Healthcare Workers Across Nebraska

Nebraska's hospitals, clinics, and care facilities employ healthcare workers in every part of the state. Johnson Tabor & Johnson represents injured healthcare workers throughout Nebraska, including:

  • Omaha — Bellevue, Papillion, Elkhorn, Millard, La Vista
  • Lincoln & Lancaster County
  • Grand Island & Hall County
  • Kearney & Buffalo County
  • Norfolk & Madison County
  • Columbus & Platte County
  • North Platte & Lincoln County
  • Scottsbluff & the Panhandle
  • Sidney & Cheyenne County

Plus all surrounding communities across Nebraska and western Iowa. No matter where you provide care in Nebraska, our attorneys are ready to help you.

Frequently Asked Questions: Healthcare Workers' Comp in Nebraska

Nebraska workers' compensation covers a wide range of healthcare injuries including back and shoulder injuries from patient lifting, needlestick and sharps injuries, injuries from workplace violence, repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel, exposure to infectious diseases, slip and fall injuries, and emotional or psychological injuries arising from workplace trauma.

Yes. Patient lifting injuries are among the most common workers' compensation claims filed by Nebraska nurses and CNAs. Whether the injury occurred from a single lifting incident or developed gradually over time from repeated patient handling, you are entitled to workers' compensation benefits including medical care, wage replacement, and compensation for permanent impairment.

Yes. Healthcare workers who are assaulted, struck, bitten, or otherwise injured by patients, visitors, or coworkers while on the job are covered by Nebraska workers' compensation. This includes physical injuries as well as psychological injuries resulting from workplace violence.

Yes. Needlestick and sharps injuries are covered by Nebraska workers' compensation. This includes the initial injury, all required testing and monitoring for bloodborne pathogens like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, any prophylactic treatment, and any illness that results from the exposure.

Absolutely. Repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and chronic back pain that develop over time from the physical demands of healthcare work are fully covered under Nebraska Workers' Compensation Law. However, insurance companies frequently deny these claims, so having an experienced attorney is especially important.

At Johnson Tabor & Johnson, we handle all workers' compensation cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and no attorney fees unless we win your case. Your initial consultation is completely free.