Even a “safe” occupation like office work can result in workplace accidents
Out of all the possible occupations one could have, being an office worker is probably among the safest. However, this doesn’t mean that your office is completely without risk. In reality, the average office holds many potential hazards:
Slip and Fall Hazards: Slip and fall and trip and fall accidents are the most common cause of disabling office injuries. These kinds of accidents can be caused by flaws like wet floors, uneven flooring, loose carpeting, exposed power cords, inadequate lighting in stairwells and parking lots, unsafe railings, etc.
Fire Hazards: Most office fires can be traced back to electrical issues. Offices have lots of computers and other equipment, which means lots of power cords, any one of which could become damaged and cause a fire. Overloading circuits by plugging too many cords into an outlet is another potential fire hazard.
Poor Indoor Air Quality: Many office buildings lack sufficient ventilation or have dirty ventilation systems due to inadequate maintenance. In either case, this can allow an unhealthy buildup of contaminants in the air, such as mold spores, dust, cleaning chemicals, and VOCs. Office workers can suffer from respiratory infections, asthma, headaches, and allergic reactions as a result.
Poor Ergonomics: Office workers spend a lot of time sitting in front of computers. This can put them at risk for repetitive motion injuries. A particularly common type of repetitive motion injury for office workers is carpal tunnel syndrome, which can be caused by the median nerve in the wrist getting compressed by too much typing with the hands resting in non-ergonomic positions. A lack of proper posture and/or quality ergonomic office furniture can cause strains to workers’ necks, backs, and shoulders.
Help for Injured Office Workers
If you have had an accident at work, suffered a repetitive motion injury, or developed a health problem due to work-related toxic exposure, you can and should consider filing for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits are available through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company.
Unfortunately, filing for workers’ compensation benefits is not always a simple matter. If you attempt to go through the process alone, you risk making mistakes that could unnecessarily delay your claim or even result in an outright denial of your benefits. Why risk it when you can get professional help from a workers’ compensation attorney at The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker? We can help you understand if you qualify for benefits and then handle your claim from start to finish. To learn more, call us at 800-333-0000 for a free initial consultation.
