When most people think of a workplace injury, they imagine an injury occurring in a physically demanding job, such as a construction or manual labor job. However, a workplace injury can happen to any Ohio worker in any type of job.
Workplace injuries happen in all sorts of work environments, including offices and jobs that are considered sedentary.
According to the National Safety Council, exposure to harmful substances or environments, overexertion and slip and falls are some of the most common types of workplace injuries.
Harmful substances or environments
Harmful substances that you may be exposed to can be physical substances, such as radiation or chemicals. Exposure to a contagious disease, such as a virus or flu, that you end up catching may also be considered a workplace injury.
We all have stressful days at work sometimes, or conflicts with bosses or co-workers that cause us mental distress.
If this results in problems in your personal life, such as causing you to develop a medical condition or seek therapy, you might have a valid claim for a workplace injury triggered by your work environment.
Overexertion
Overexertion can happen in physical jobs from lifting, bending or stretching, but it can also occur through a repetitive motion injury. This is an injury caused by small movements that strain certain parts of your body and can happen in almost any work environment.
Repetitive motion injuries are common in white-collar or office environments. They often happen from typing, using a computer mouse or any other type of movements that you do frequently that cause you pain at the end of the day.
Slips and falls
Slips and falls may happen from almost anything in the workplace, from wet floors, to clutter left around, to stairs or equipment not properly maintained.
The effect of a workplace injury can be major, and workers’ compensation benefits could be helpful to you. When you suffer a workplace injury, it is important to consult an attorney to learn about your legal rights.