Three Common Causes of Injury at Work
Accidents can happen at any given time and this includes in the workplace. Unfortunately, a lot of injuries that occur within the office are due to negligent actions, which could have been corrected and avoided. When you are at work, your employer has a legal duty and responsibility for your health and safety. If you have sustained injury in an accident that you believe was not your fault, you may be entitled to claim for compensation.
Slips, Trips and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls accounts for over one third of all work-related compensation claims. Pathways in the workplace should always be kept clean and clear, if you find yourself slipping on a wet floor, tripping over loose wires or falling over clutter obstructing pathways or workspaces, you may be able to make a personal injury claim.
At the time, you might think you are only suffering from embarrassment. But, the truth is soft tissue injuries can have a delayed reaction and only reveal pain and discomfort hours or even days after the incident. Even worse, your accident can lead to fractures or broken bones, which will build up costly medical bills that you should not have to pay.
Falling Objects
When you don’t see something coming, the impact when it hits you is always worse. Sustaining injury from falling objects is a common problem in the construction industry, but it can also happen in an office environment from negligent storage or poor organisation.
Sustaining abrasions or bruises can be painful and uncomfortable and if you have suffered from a concussion after being struck by an item, it can cause subsequent headaches and visual disturbances. These injuries should not happen in a workplace.
Manual Handling
Activities that involve lifting, carrying and moving items, account for another third of work-related accidents. Most injuries are musculoskeletal and take the form of muscle strains and pulled ligaments. It can be easy to twist your neck or pull a back muscle from heavy and constant lifting, which can be felt for weeks or even months afterwards. You should always be allowed sufficient rest periods to avoid this overexertion.
Pain and discomfort can also develop from repetitive strain, which is becoming increasingly common in office environments. Constantly doing the same tasks over and over again can lead to long term, negative problems for your muscles and joints, which should be taken more seriously by employers.
Conclusion
Anyone can fall victim to an accident at work that is outwith his or her control. If you have suffered a minor or major injury in the workplace in the last two years, which was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation to cover your medical expenses, loss of earning and pain and suffering.
Employers in Ireland have the responsibility to provide a safe working environment under Irish employment law. If you need to speak with an employment law solicitor, then you should definitely go for it.
By Calling McSweeney Solicitors today, you can receive help from specialist personal injury solicitors with extensive experience in handling all types of work-related incidents. We can advise you on what steps you can take and whether you are entitled to make a compensation claim for your accident at work.