Office injuries are the pits, and to make matters worse an old workplace injury can have a more devastating effect than you might think.
After an initial recovery period, some unlucky workers are met with a more significant decline — accelerating their health deterioration as they age much faster than uninjured peers. According to a recent study published in the Library of Medicine, “permanently impaired injured workers experience more rapidly accelerated health declines than other aging workers.”
So if you’ve suffered from any kind of office injuries and find yourself faring worse for wear years later on — you may be carrying unseen trauma that never healed properly after all this time…
Common Office Injuries
Every year, the amount of workplace injuries in America is staggering. According to BLS research for 2019, US private industry employers witnessed a whopping 2.8 million nonfatal accidents and illnesses happen amongst their workers!
Office workers are most notably prone to joint injuries such as carpal tunnel, eye strain, back pain, and neck problems.
The most common include the following:
- Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs): These are caused by repetitive motions or movements, like typing and clicking a mouse.
- Slips, trips, and falls: These are caused by slippery floors or poor lighting.
- Sprains and strains: These injuries are caused by lifting heavy objects or twisting and bending in awkward positions.
- Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs): These injuries are caused by lifting or carrying heavy loads or working in awkward positions for extended periods.
Lifetime Effects of Office Injuries
Even those without a diagnosis of permanent disability can feel the lifelong weight of their workplace injury — from medical care to physical therapy and beyond.
Spinal cord damage may cause paralysis, traumatic brain injuries like concussions could result in lost functions, broken bones might require corrective treatment for months on end. The pain? Nothing less than severe; in some cases chronic with no end in sight.
Alongside this is emotional trauma that leads only further away from any quality life previously enjoyed by the employee before suffering such an extreme consequence as part of work culture today…
New York State Office Injuries
The sad fact remains: New York reported 125,500 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2021 at an incidence rate of 2.2 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers. Such grim numbers spurred the State Legislature to take action.
In response to this sobering reality, the State Legislature made history on December 12th by passing “Carlos’ Law,” named after an individual who lost his life working construction back in 2015.
This new law seeks justice for those affected while shielding workers from businesses disregarding safety protocols. Carlos’ Law represents a decisive move forward as prosecutions under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) are few and far between these days.
The Bottom Line
Office injuries are a major concern today, but there are ways to take action after adverse events occur.
Filing for workers’ compensation, getting legal help, or writing to your local State Legislature is an option.
In terms of rehabilitation: physical therapy and psychological counseling can help with the healing process in both the short term and long term.
It’s time to start taking office injuries seriously and create a safe workplace for everyone.