Georgia Workers’ Compensation for Office Work Injuries & Conditions

Most people don’t consider an office to be a dangerous work environment, particularly when you compare it to other workplaces such as construction sites, warehouses and hospitals. However, office workers across Georgia experience different types of dangers that result in injuries and illnesses. Unfortunately, many of these office-related work injuries are unreported for various reasons. Rather than seek the workers’ compensation benefits that they are entitled to, injured office workers often fail to file a claim with their employer and instead choose to pay for their medical bills out of their own pocket.

At the law firm of Westmoreland, Patterson, Moseley & Hinson, our Macon injury attorneys can help secure the maximum workers’ compensation benefits available to you and your family. For the last 50 years, we’ve represented hundreds of injured workers in Macon-Bibb County and throughout the state of Georgia. We can help you take the right steps and negotiate on your behalf. We have the experience, knowledge and commitment to see your claim through to the end. We’ll secure the best possible outcome.

Here are a few of the most common office-related injuries and what you can do to prevent them:

According to the National Safety Council, a worker is injured on the job every 7 seconds in the U.S. That amounts to 540 work injuries per hour, 12,900 work injuries per day

A staggering 7 million work injuries per year.And these are just the known work injuries.

A great many injured workers do not report their accidents for various reasons, meaning that they never receive the medical care or financial compensation they need to fully recover.

These workplace accidents and injuries happen in all industries and across every profession — even jobs that are traditionally thought of as “safe” such as office work.

Slip and fall.

Slip, trip and falls are by far the most common office accidents, and they’re responsible for causing the most disabling injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), office workers are up to 2.5 times more likely to be disabled from a fall than non-office workers. Disabling slip and fall injuries can be caused by wet and slippery floors, insufficient lighting, using a chair instead of a ladder to reach for something, and tripping over an electrical cord, furniture, loose carpeting or clutter on the floor.

Workplace violence.

Violence in the workplace is surprisingly common in the U.S., and it’s responsible for many non-fatal and fatal workplace injuries each year. In 2010 alone, 506 people were killed as a result of workplace homicide — over 11 percent of the total number of work-related deaths that year (4,547). When arguments and fights escalate in the office, serious injuries may result.

Sedentary conditions.

\Office workers who are required to sit in a chair for hours on end and who aren’t permitted to take breaks may develop debilitating chronic back and neck pain over time, particularly in the low back region.

According to a 2010 National Health Interview Survey, more than a quarter (25.7 percent) of all workers suffer from low back pain. Sedentary conditions refer to the state of being inactive and spending prolonged periods sitting, reclining, or lying down, with minimal physical activity. This lack of movement is linked to various health problems.

Toxic fumes and chemicals

. In small offices with poor ventilation, the air can become toxic and dangerous to employees’ health over time. These toxins can leach into the workspace from building materials, cleaning agents, mold, radon, ink and toner and other sources. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has reported an increasing number of investigations involving indoor toxins in recent years. Indoor air quality complaints now represent 80 to 90 percent of the agency’s current caseload (compared to only 6 percent in 1980). Hazardous fumes in the workplace can give rise to occupational illnesses and diseases that impact a person’s lungs, respiration, nervous system and internal organs.

Some burns are mild and heal on their own with time, while others cause permanent scarring, loss of mobility and severe pain. Doctors typically classify burns by their severity using the term “degrees.” There are 3 primary degrees of burn injuries:

However, before you do that, you must look after your health and well-being by seeking immediate medical care if the injury is an emergency. If the injury is not an emergency, be sure to notify your employer within 30 days, according to Georgia statutes (but the earlier the better). Telling a coworker or your spouse doesn’t count; you’ll need to report the incident to a manager, supervisor or a human resources (HR) person. Your employer should provide you with the forms and resources you’ll need to file a claim, including a list of “authorized” doctors (known as the “panel of physicians”).

Next, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with a doctor listed on your employer’s Panel of Physicians. Be sure to tell them honestly how and when the injury or illness arose, and be truthful about how it is impacting your life. Follow any treatment recommendations and take any prescriptions they give you.