When people think about injuries on the job, they often think about dangerous industries. One example is construction, which tends to have the highest number of fatal accidents. Another example is agriculture, which has a lower total number of accidents but a higher fatal accident rate. These are clearly dangerous jobs where workers could be severely injured.
But it is important for employees to remember that even traditionally safe jobs have injury risks. Someone who works in an office building could still suffer injuries on the job and need workers’ comp benefits.
Repetitive motion injuries
For example, an office worker may spend most of their time typing on a computer. This does not seem risky at all, and there may not be a dramatic injury or a serious accident. But they could still suffer from repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Everyday accidents
On top of that, certain types of accidents can happen in almost any setting. For example, a worker could suffer a lower back injury after slipping and falling on the stairs. They do not have to be doing anything dangerous to be injured in this way.
Dangerous exposure
Finally, some workers face exposure to hazards even if they are unaware of it. Someone working in an older building could inadvertently be exposed to asbestos, for example. Someone working in an industrial complex could be exposed to dangerous decibel levels on a consistent basis, even if their actual work does not seem particularly dangerous. This type of exposure could lead to permanent hearing loss.
Seeking workers’ comp benefits
Workers in any setting can be injured on the job. Because of this, it is important for all workers to understand what options they have to seek appropriate workers’ comp benefits.