Office Workers and Job-Related Injuries
Any type of worker has the potential to be injured on the job, no matter what type of duties they perform. An experienced Riverside workers’ compensation lawyer at Heiting & Irwin can assist you with your claim and any legal issues related to it.
Whether a worker sits at a desk or performs physical labor, each of them can suffer injuries that require medical care and treatment, and may permanently prevent them from performing their usual and customary duties. The workers’ compensation system was instituted to protect California employees who sustain an injury arising out of and occurring in the course of their employment. Many office workers sustain “repetitive trauma” injuries resulting from micro-traumas that occur over a period of years, and possibly involving more than one employer. An employee with such an injury should consult with an experienced and respected attorney, such as Richard Irwin of Heiting & Irwin. At Heiting & Irwin, we will inform you of your legal rights, including how to recover all of the benefits you are entitled to under the law. Schedule a free initial consultation with our law firm by calling (951) 682-6400 or contacting us online.
Injuries That Office-Centric Employees Can Suffer
While the kind of injuries experienced by office workers usually differ from those involving employees engaged in arduous physical labor, their injuries are no less important, and can be extremely disruptive to their incomes and lives. Office workers are more likely (than physical laborers) to sustain:
- Ergonomic Injuries: Sitting at a desk or on a chair can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, especially when the employee has poor posture.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Typing on a computer can compress the median nerve in your hands, which can lead to pain and permanent damage.
- Extreme Job Stress: Workers in the technology industry may be subject to extreme job stress that can leave them unable to focus on or perform their job duties.
- Eye Strain: Working in front of a computer can cause strain and injuries to the eye that keep a worker from being able to properly see.
- Workplace Slip and Fall Injuries: An employee may be injured in the office when they trip over debris or slip on a floor.
Office Employee Workers’ Comp Cases Can Be Challenging
The nature of the injuries that tech workers can suffer can make these cases inherently more difficult. Many of the injuries detailed above can be tough to tie to your exact job duties. The insurance company may claim that the injury is pre-existing condition or unrelated to the employment. The injured worker always has the burden of proof to show that they have suffered a work-related injury in every workers’ compensation case.
The insurance company may claim that the injury is not serious enough to keep the employee from doing their job. They want to keep claim costs as low as they can and will routinely deny, discount and/or trivialize injuries experienced by office workers. They will, of course, demand proof of the workplace injury before accepting your claim. Frequently they will refuse to accept a claim even with such proof. That’s when you need the attorneys of Heiting and Irwin in your corner.
What to Do When You Have Suffered a Job-Related Injury as an Office Worker
There are three things that are key to a successful workers’ compensation claim if you have suffered an office related injury:
- You should seek immediate medical treatment from a doctor, so you can have your injury documented to better connect it to your duties;
- Always notify your employer of your injury as soon as possible, in writing;
- Contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can represent you throughout the process. You should anticipate potential difficulties ahead of time and work to prepare the strongest possible claim.
Contact a Riverside Workers’ Compensation Law Firm
Take control of your legal destiny by scheduling a free initial consultation with a Riverside workers’ compensation attorney at Heiting & Irwin. Fill out an online contact form or call us today at (951) 682-6400 for help obtaining the workers’ compensation benefits that you need and deserve.
