It isn’t just the jobs that require physical labor that can be hazardous to your safety. If you work in an office, you are still at risk of sustaining severe and debilitating injuries. Under Florida workers’ compensation laws, you may be eligible to pursue compensation to cover any injury you might receive.
But what could be so dangerous about working in an office?
Common office injuries
Navigating an office space comes with its own safety hazards. In fact, there are many ways you could get injured at your office job. Some common workplace injuries include:
- Slip-and-falls: An unorganized workspace poses several problems for employees. Cluttered walkways can make it difficult to see around corners or watch where you’re walking. Entryways can become slippery in bad weather. You can catch your hip on an open cabinet or desk drawer. Exposed computer or extension cords can easily trip you up. Falls can result in broken bones, strained or torn muscles and even cuts and lacerations.
- Ergonomic injuries: Many office workers spend long hours sitting at a desk and staring at a computer screen. But spending long hours in one position can lead to acute and chronic pain. Your hips, shoulders, neck and back can suffer due to the long hours you put in.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: Performing the same task over and over again can take a toll on your hands, fingers and wrists. Therefore, carpal tunnel can occur in workers who have spent years typing away at a keyboard or using a computer mouse. Having carpal tunnel can make it painful for you to do daily tasks such as buttoning a shirt or even holding a pen to write.
- Eye strain: Staring at a computer screen for extended periods of time or working in poorly lit environments can affect your eyesight. While doctors recommend you take a 10-minute break for every hour of work you do, most employees don’t in favor of trying to finish their workload for the day.
Get the help you need
Just because an injury isn’t immediate doesn’t mean workers’ compensation doesn’t cover it. While slip-and-fall injuries can be easier to prove, injuries such as carpal tunnel and eye strain can seriously affect your ability to continue working. These long-lasting injuries can have a significant impact on your life and often result in expensive ongoing medical care.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim for an office-related injury can help you cover those financial costs and even lost wages if your injury is bad enough to keep you from your job.