Now that the warmer weather has arrived, neighborhoods around Connecticut will be buzzing with lawn mowers and leaf blowers all to get yards ready for a spectacular spring and stunning summer season of beautiful yards and happy families.
The people that do this work, landscapers, are in an unique position as their roles are generally seasonal, and therefore, they are coming back to their jobs with a little rust in all likelihood. This rust, can lead to an injury which could lead to a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim as the season just starts to get under way.
As a weekend warrior, yard work can, at times, be fun and relaxing, but as a profession it can be stressful, strenuous and often dangerous. Those who are spending day in and day out using heavy machinery and dangerous equipment can put themselves at great risk of injury over the course of the season. Some of these injuries can be long lasting and leave a worker out of a job for a good portion of the season. Common injuries for landscapers include;
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Cuts and lacerations. When dealing with lawn mowers, weed whackers, and clippers, cuts and lacerations are more common than you might think. These powerful and sharp tools can cause serious injury including the loss of limbs which could leave a worker out of a job for good.
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Exposure to toxic chemicals and pesticides. If a landscaper does not take the appropriate precautions when applying chemicals and pesticides she/he can suffer serious respiratory issues which may lead them to not being able to perform the duties of their job.
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Broken bones. When landscapers are asked to climb ladders to perform their duties they are put in situations that can cause them both nervous reactions as well as broken bones in the event of a fall. Falls are often cited as one of the most common injuries in a construction work environment, but the same is true for a worker who is a landscaper.
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Muscle strains. It is part of the job to lift heavy things and when you are doing this all day long, multiple days a week, you can put a large burden on your muscles. If you go too far, you can strain your muscles and be out of work for an extended period of time.
Landscapers do work that is hard and dirty, but in the end it gets yards looking beautiful to enjoy all spring and summer long. However, the work that they do can often lead to injuries that are considered to be Connecticut workers’ compensation claims. It’s not a career that many often think about as having a lot of workplace injury dangers, but it certainly can and if the right safety precautions are not taken it could become detrimental to the people doing the work.
If you are a landscaper who is injured while working, you may need to speak to a board certified attorney who can help you file your claim. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will work with you to protect your long-term interests.
