When people think about Connecticut workers’ compensation claims they often think of injuries that happen on construction sites and in warehouses. This makes sense that this is where your mind might go because often these types of workplaces are where the most common injuries happen, but they aren’t the ONLY places where these types of injuries happen. In fact, there is a serious risk to those that work in an office setting of being injured on the job and some of these injuries can be quite serious, leading to time away from work.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) workers who are in an office setting are 2-2.5 more times likely to experience a disabling injury as the result of a fall than other workers. This staggering number points to the dangerous conditions that often exist in an office setting.
So what is causing all of these injuries in an office? The short answer is the CDC reports that the following types of falls are causing most of the disabling injuries in an office setting.
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Tripping is a common way that many people in offices become injured. When a tripping incident results in a fall injuries can start to get serious. Some of the ways that people in offices trip include things like loose wires, carpeting, an open desk drawer or file cabinet drawer or items left in a common space like a hallway.
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From a seated position falls can happen as well. According to the CDC a major reason that falls occur in the office is that people will often reach for items that are just slightly out of reach from a seated position and that will lead to a tumble which can translate to a dangerous fall.
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Not using the proper equipment to perform certain duties. When you work in an office you may not have a ladder handy to perform a duty that you need to get done so often a chair is used in place of a ladder. This presents a real danger and often leads to damaging falls. If you are working in an office setting you should always use the appropriate equipment that a job requires. If you don’t have access to the right equipment you should wait until you do or find someone who does and can help you with a job.
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Another issue that tends to cause problems in an office setting is low level lighting. Often the lighting in an office is not adequate enough for getting work done and causes workers to take a misstep and fall. These falls can be dangerous and can cause serious harm.
It may not be the first thing you think about when you think about dangers at work, but falls in an office setting can lead to a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim and can cause an injury that can keep you out of work for a long time. In order to keep yourself safe at work you should always proceed slowly through your day and move throughout the office with caution, especially in a setting where you are unfamiliar with the surroundings.
When an accident happens at your workplace you should always immediately notify your supervisor and then seek medical attention as needed. If you are injured and believe you’re going to need legal help navigating the claims process then you may need to contact our office. One of our board certified workers’ compensation attorneys will review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.
