There are a wide variety of injuries that can occur when you’re in your workplace and as you age there is a chance that these injuries may become more frequent. While there is no guarantee that because you are getting older you will be more likely to become injured while at work, there are certainly some reasons why it may happen. When you become injured, whatever your age, you may need to file a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim that should in no way factor in your age in determining your outcome.
That being said, as you age and get closer to the age at which you’ll want to retire you may want to take some of these reasons into account when you’re thinking about how to keep yourself safe at work. You do not need to verbalize these reasons to anyone you are working with or in any way detail them for your employer, unless you wish to do so, but you should become aware of them for your own well-being so you are able to take steps necessary to avoid injuries that may become more likely due to the following reasons.
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Physical strength. Most people, as they age, lose some of the youthful strength that they once had. Depending on your job you may find your ability to perform all the duties that are required of you to be slightly diminished. This does not mean you can no longer perform the duties of the job, but it may mean that you need to perform your duties in a different way or with more assistance then you otherwise would have required in your earlier days on the job.
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Side effects from medication. As you age you may be prescribed new medications that you have not used in the past. Some of these medications may have side effects that could reduce your ability to perform the role you were hired to do. Your first step when you are beginning a new medication (at any age) is to talk with your medical provider to understand the side effects and how they might affect your day to day life, including the main duties at your job.
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Pre-existing conditions. When you have a pre-existing medical condition that you are aware of, you may find yourself unable to perform certain duties while at work. While these conditions may not be so severe that they keep you from your job all together, they may make it more likely that you get injured while you’re performing the duties of your job. It is for this reason that you should review your medical condition before you take a job and make sure you have a clear understanding of how it might impact your ability to perform certain duties. If you believe it will get in your way of performing your job to the fullest extent you may need to speak with your supervisor to figure out how you can be accommodated while also making sure the work gets done.
There is no reason you should not be able to work until the age that you desire, but there are some things that happen as you get older that may become reasons to have some accommodations made for you while you’re at work. If these accommodations are made and you still become injured you may need to file a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim. When an injury occurs you should contact your supervisor and share with her/him the circumstances of your injury so she/he can start working on your paperwork immediately.
If you’ve been injured on the job, regardless of your age, you may need to speak with a board certified workers’ compensation attorney to help guide you through the claims process. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will speak with you and work with you to protect your long-term interests.
