As a professional or an office worker, you may not be working with dangerous equipment or moving heavy loads, but you are not immune from work-related accidents, injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. In 2015, 491 professional and business workers died because of work-related incidents. During that year, there were 1.4 recorded cases of injury for every 100 full-time professional and business workers.
How Are These Injuries Happening?
Some of the injuries that are happening in office settings are caused by:
- Falls. A wet floor, a spilled cup of coffee, or a box left in the hallway can lead to slip or trip and fall accidents.
- Poorly designed work areas. Sitting in an uncomfortable position for too long or failing to take frequent breaks can cause musculoskeletal problems.
- Repetitive motions. Doing the same thing—such as using a computer—for long stretches of time can create problems with nerves and tendons.
- Workplace violence. This can occur in any industry, and professional offices are no exception.
These risks, and other, can result in a variety of injuries and illnesses including:
- Broken bones.
- Sprains or strains.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Back or neck pain.
- Death.
If you suffered any of these injuries or if you lost a loved one, then your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company may be responsible for taking care of your medical care and providing you with weekly benefits.
How to Protect Your Rights If You’re Hurt
If you have been hurt or if your loved one has been killed in an Iowa office, then it is important to know your rights. You do not have to prove that your employer was negligent in order to recover workers’ compensation benefits. However, you do need to report your injury to your employer and you do need to follow the Iowa workers’ compensation rules in order to recover benefits.
You don’t have to do this alone. Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers can help you every step of the way. Simply contact us via this website or by phone any time—24 hours a day—to set up a free consultation and to get started protecting your rights after an Iowa professional or business injury, or an injury in any other industry.
