Top 3 Causes of Workplace Injuries in Kane County Office Buildings
Workers’ compensation is not just for those in traditionally high-risk blue-collar jobs. White-collar office workers can and do get hurt at work and are equally entitled to workers' compensation protection. While injuries suffered by those with desk jobs tend to be less severe on average, they can still keep an employee out of the workplace for weeks while they recover. If you were injured at your office job, you should take the situation seriously and consider having an attorney help you recover compensation. The costs associated with a workplace injury are compensable whether you operate a desktop computer or a forklift. Some office employees hesitate to file a workers’ compensation claim, but this is a mistake. If you do not file a claim after getting hurt at work, you could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table.
The Most Common Reasons Office Workers Get Hurt on the Job
People with desk jobs tend to view their workplaces as very safe. This can cause people to let their guard down and become more vulnerable to hidden dangers around the office. Some of the most common categories of workplace injuries in office buildings include:
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Slips, trips, and falls - A lot of office buildings use tile or linoleum over carpeting because it is easy to clean. This also makes slip-and-fall accidents more likely - all it takes is a dropped cup of coffee or a missing wet floor sign to cause an accident. Trip-and-falls are also common. It could be a poorly placed power cord or a box of files set on the floor too close to a doorway. Light switches that are not placed where a light can be turned on prior to entering a room can increase the risk of a tripping injury.
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Repetitive stress injuries - Typing all day can be hard on a person’s wrists, fingers, and arms. Problems like carpal tunnel syndrome are extremely common when appropriate ergonomic keyboards and mousepads are not used. Employees with wrist and hand injuries may be unable to perform their job duties.
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Unsuitable chairs - Rolling office chairs cause injuries all the time. These chairs are often unstable. Simply rolling into a misplaced power cord or a bump in the carpet can cause someone to topple over, as can reaching for an item on the floor while seated.
No matter the color of your collar, if you are hurt at work, workers’ compensation is available. You do not need to demonstrate that your employer was at fault for your accident or injury.
Contact a Kane County Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you were injured at your office job, Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. may be able to help you recover Workers’ Compensation funds. Our skilled Aurora workers’ compensation lawyers are dedicated to helping workers of all types receive the compensation they are entitled to after a workplace injury. Call us at 630-907-0909 for a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.osha.gov/ergonomics
