For the most part, people associate on-the-job injuries with blue-collar workplaces because of the physically intense nature of the work and the often dangerous conditions. Although it’s true that most workplace injuries do occur in that type of setting, significant injuries in an office setting are far from unheard of and are even becoming more common as office work grows to encompass a larger percentage of the workforce. Therefore, it is important for white collar workers to understand that Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation laws also apply to them.
While industries like manufacturing and healthcare do produce some of the highest rates of on-the-job injuries, numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that professional employees still account for a significant rate of workplace injuries per year. These can come about in a variety of ways:
- Repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel
- Ergonomic conditions
- Slips and falls
- Injuries sustained during work-related travel
- Stress-related illnesses and injuries
- Lifting injuries
Office workers generally receive much less training in injury avoidance and can therefore be more prone to injury when they are required to perform physical activities. These injuries are just as valid and can be as serious as those suffered in an industrial environment, but they can be more difficult to prove and are more often denied by workers comp insurers.
Injured office workers should not hesitate to file claims for legitimate on-the-job injuries and should not to be disheartened if those claims are initially denied. If you have been injured on the job, an experienced Lancaster County workers’ compensation lawyer can help you gather the evidence and support you need to prove your case and get the benefits to which you are entitled.
