When you think of on-the-job injuries, you probably picture a construction worker dropping a brick on his foot or a plant worker getting his hand caught in a machine. Manual labor employees do make up the majority of workers’ compensation claims, but plenty of office workers also file claims. Today, we take a closer look at five common types of injuries suffered by office workers, and what you should do if you suffer one of these injuries.
Work Injuries At The Office
Here are five ways office workers fall victim to an on-the-job injury.
1. Slip and Falls – Slip and fall injuries are some of the most common injuries we hear about from office workers. Whether it involves slipping on some spilled water in the break room or losing your balance on some melted snow in the lobby in the winter, slip and fall injuries are pretty common. It’s also worth noting that slip and fall injuries extend to the parking lot, so if you slip on some ice walking to your car after your shift, you can file for compensation.
2. Falls To Another Level – Another type of injury we see from time to time in an office setting is an injury involving a fall from a height. Oftentimes this occurs when an employee trips while going down a flight of stairs, but it can also happen if you’re on a ladder hanging decorations while setting up for the office holiday party. Considering office footwear – especially for women – isn’t always conducive to gripping the floor or climbing steps, it’s no surprise that falls from a height are common in the workplace.
3. Carpal Tunnel – Some people think that you will only receive compensation for acute injuries or injuries that have a “moment of injury,” but that’s just simply not true. Micro-trauma over the course of years or decades can lead to internal health problems that are compensable under Minnesota law. If you have been writing or typing on a computer for decades and your joints are aching, you may be suffering from carpal tunnel, and you may be eligible for compensation.
4. Back Injuries – If you’re seated at your desk for hours a day, it is imperative that you invest in a supportive chair. If your back isn’t supported, the cervical and lumbar portions of your spine will feel the pain, either acutely in the form of a disc herniation, or over the years in the form of disc degeneration. If you’re dealing with back pain after working an office job, reach out to Hey Workers today.
5. Struck By Object – Getting struck by an object or running into an obstacle at the office are somewhat freak injuries, but they do happen. Maybe you were struck by an opening door, you reached up into a cabinet and a stapler fell out and hit you in the head, or you walked into a file cabinet because you were concentrating on the reports in your hands. You don’t need to be embarrassed by these fluky injuries, and remember that you are entitled to compensation.
