Most people think that workplace injuries only happen in construction sites, factories, and other industrial environments with heavy machinery. The reality is that accidents can happen in virtually any workplace, including an office. Even better, workers injured while on the job in Florida may be eligible to collect workers’ comp benefits, regardless of fault.
Before you file a worker’s compensation claim, you must consult with an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer to assess your injury’s specific circumstances and establish whether filing a claim is necessary. Here are some of the most common office injuries that may lead to a valid workers’ comp claim in Florida.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Repetitive stress injuries are some of the most popular office injuries. These injuries often happen when an employee performs repetitive tasks such as sitting and typing for an extended period daily. For instance, if an employee constantly looks upward at their screen for hours every day due to a low chair, they may develop neck and shoulder pain, which may sooner or later transition to a serious repetitive stress injury. Because a repetitive stress injury takes many years to develop, workers may not notice until it’s too late when they are unable to work. That’s why it is critical for workers to pay attention to anything regarding their job that causes discomfort or pain before it actually turns to a serious office injury. Some of the most common repetitive stress injuries that workers may sustain include the following:
- Raynaud’s Syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Knee injuries
- Herniated discs
- Back strains, spasms, and sprains
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Bone fractures
- Tennis elbow
- Trigger finger
- Ganglion cysts
Struck, Crushed or Caught by or in Equipment
Office injuries may also occur when one gets caught, struck, or even crushed by or in a piece of equipment. While these types of accidents are pretty common in factory and construction jobs, they can also happen in an office environment, especially when an employee fails to follow proper safety protocol. A broken or improperly maintained piece of equipment such as a fan might also cause serious striking, catching, or crushing injuries. If you have been struck, caught, or crushed by or in equipment at the office, you may be entitled to file a workers’ comp claim.
Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries
Falls, slips, and trips are other common office injuries in Florida. A slip will occur when a surface being walked upon has a substance that makes it slippery or slick. On the other hand, a trip accident occurs when there’s an obstacle such as loose cables, debris, or equipment in the way of someone’s feet, causing a slight change in elevation between footsteps. Unlike the two, falls happen from a great height and can occur when someone slips, trips, or loses balance and is unable to regain it.
Although the three types of accidents are different, they may lead to similar debilitating and painful office injuries such as contusions, bruising, bone fractures, bone breakage, sprains, and others that may render you unable to work. If you can prove that the slip, trip, or fall accident occurred due to dangerous conditions on your job site that your employer failed to prevent or fix, you may be eligible to seek compensation through a workers’ compensation claim.
Overexertion Injuries
Overexertion is another common workplace injury. It is usually caused by performing tasks such as carrying, holding, pulling, lifting, or even throwing things for extended periods. It may also happen due to simple tasks like climbs, twists, kneels, bends, and others that require exertion of strength. In most cases, overexertion injuries will begin with mild back pain before transitioning to chronic, debilitating conditions such as osteoarthritis, which are usually expensive to treat. In extreme cases, overexertion may lead to cardiac issues and high blood pressure, particularly if the worker is not allowed to take periodic breaks.
Because overexertion injuries are often avoidable when attended to in the early days, you need to address your condition with your employer and seek medical attention as soon as you notice any symptoms. However, if your overexertion injuries have made it impossible for you to continue working, filing a personal injury lawsuit against your employer might be appropriate. Be sure to consult a lawyer to learn whether that is the right thing to do.
Reach Out to Us for A Free Case Evaluation Today
If you have sustained a work-related injury in Florida, you may be entitled to workers’ comp benefits, regardless of who is at fault. Contact the team at Sternberg | Forsythe, P.A. to learn how we can help. Our experienced Florida workers’ compensation lawyers will work with you to explore all possible ways to get the maximum compensation, including filing a third-party lawsuit if another individual other than your employer or coworker was to blame for the accident. Fill out our online contact form or give us a call at 561-513-4376 to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.