Do office workers qualify for workers’ comp?

On Behalf of | Mar 9, 2021 | Workers' Compensation

It is not only New Jersey construction workers who get injured on the job. Thousands of office workers suffer from workplace accidents every year. Anything could cause an accident, from a puddle on the floor to a poorly designed workstation.

What are the most common causes of workplace injuries?

You don’t need to work in hard labor to injure yourself in a lifting accident. Every year, hundreds of office workers injure themselves by lifting heavy boxes, stacks of paper, filing cabinets, computer monitors and other heavy loads. No matter where you work, it’s important to use safe lifting techniques so you won’t injure yourself on the job. Otherwise, you might have to see a doctor and file for workers’ comp.

Slip-and-fall accidents are also a major source of injuries for office workers. This could include slipping on a puddle or an obstacle on the floor. It might also include tripping on an electrical cord, falling off a chair, using an unsteady ladder or tripping over an open desk drawer. While some people walk away with minor injuries, others suffer from broken bones, fractures and even head injuries.

You can even injure yourself while sitting at your desk. If you don’t have a well-designed workspace, you might regularly bump into your desk, chair and office equipment. Over time, you could also suffer from occupational injuries like carpal tunnel and poor posture. You could talk to a workers’ compensation attorney if you think that you might have the grounds for a claim.

When can you file for workers’ compensation?

You probably won’t be able to file for workers’ compensation for minor incidents. However, you should talk to an attorney if you think your injuries are serious enough to warrant a claim. An attorney could tell you if you qualify for workers’ compensation or not.

Once they’ve done that, your attorney could help you file a claim. During this time, you might have to see an employer-approved doctor and get proof that you were injured. You might also have to take time off work so you can stay home and recover from your injuries.