Workplace injuries are most commonly associated with jobs that involve heavy lifting, driving, or high-risk work like construction. However, workplace injuries can happen to people in jobs that seem relatively safe and benign. Specifically, people who spend their days working on a computer can sustain injuries that can qualify them for workers’ compensation benefits.
Computers make almost every workplace more efficient, however, they generally require someone to sit in front of it and control the computer. Millions of people sit in front of a computer for the majority of their workday and can sustain the following type of injuries:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome - Carpal tunnel syndrome develops after repetitive motions of the hands, such as typing. These motions can cause the median nerve in the wrist to become compressed or squeezed. This can result in symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, or a burning sensation in the fingers, hand, and arm. It can also cause weakness in your grip or control of your hand.
- Back pain - When you are working on a computer, you are often leaning forward with your head tilted toward the screen. Having a hunched posture all day can cause chronic back problems that can result in serious pain and can restrict your movement and abilities. One of the main culprits of poor posture at a computer is having a non-ergonomic chair. Having a chair that properly supports the spine is essential, as is having the arm rests at the proper height.
- Computer vision syndrome - Staring at a computer screen can cause this condition to develop in your eyes. Symptoms include chronic dry eyes, blurred vision, double vision, vertigo, chronic headaches, severe eye strain, and more. One study suggests that 90 percent of people who look at a computer for three or more hours will develop computer vision syndrome.
Find Out How Our Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Can Help You
If you have any computer-related injuries due to your job, the Hartford workers’ compensation lawyers at the law office of Leighton, Katz & Drapeau can ensure you receive the financial compensation you need. Please call us at 860-875-7000 for help today.
1http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00005
2https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2011-0149-3165.pdf
