October 5, 2016
Three common office injuries that occur often involve: 1) Lifting, 2) Twisting, and 3) Slipping/Falling. Here are some examples…
LIFTING
The first common office injury can occur when an individual is required to lift an object or a person while at work. Here is a real life example:
Susan G. was a receptionist for ABC Accounting Firm, S.C. Susan’s job required her to lift large files that were in boxes throughout the office. The boxes filled with files weighed anywhere from 5 to 20 pounds. One day Susan went to lift a box that she thought weighed about 5 pounds. Unbeknownst to her, the box actually weighed 20 pounds. Rather than bend her knees and lift the box appropriately, she bent over and only used her arms. As she lifted the box up, she felt a pop in her low back. At that moment, Susan sustained an extremely common office injury. Immediately after the injury occurred, she reported it to her employer and sought treatment at the nearest emergency room. Unfortunately, Susan required surgery. Susan’s common office injury led a formal hearing where she was eventually awarded the benefits she deserved from an Administrative Law Judge.
TWISTING
The second common office injury can occur when an individual is required to twist while at work. Here is a real life example:
Jane T. was an administrative assistant at ABC Nursing Home. Jane’s job required her lift stacks of medical records, twist, and then put them on a metal cart. One day Jane lifted a stack of metal records, twisted her body, and felt a pop in her left knee. She dropped the stack of papers and dropped to the ground. At that moment, Jane sustained an extremely common office injury. She reported the injury to her employer and sought treatment with her primary care physician. Jane had a significant ACL tear that required surgery. Although her surgery was initially denied by the insurance company, Jane sought the assistance of a Worker’s Compensation lawyer for her common office injury and eventually settled her case out of court.
SLIPPING/FALLING
The third common office injury can occur when an individual slips and falls at work. Here is a real life example:
John J. was a legal assistant at ABC Law Offices, S.C. One day John went to use the office restroom, when he slipped on some water on the floor. His feet flew out from beneath him and he landed on his right shoulder. He reported this common office injury to his employer and eventually needed his rotator cuff repaired. Similar to Jane, John was able to settle his claim out of court with the assistance of an experienced Worker’s Compensation lawyer.
If you sustained one of the common office injuries described above, make sure to contact a Milwaukee WI worker’s compensation lawyer today.
Thanks to our friends and co-contributors from Hickey & Turim, SC for their added insight into common office injuries.