White Collar Workers Are Not Immune to Workplace Injuries
White-collar workers are vulnerable to a variety of workplace injuries that cause pain and require medical attention. An Illinois work injury lawyer commonly handles claims and settlements for white-collar workers injured on the job.
Common Workplace Injuries
Studies show that white-collar workers have the highest number of work-related medical claims among all occupations. Like their blue-collar counterparts, they suffer on-the-job injuries, but pain differs significantly due to their different job scopes. Common workplace injuries reported to a work injury lawyer by white-collar workers include:
Repetitive Stress Injuries – Repeated motions every day at work often result in muscle aches and ligament and tendon injuries. Daily typing and/or computer use commonly causes repetitive stress injuries in the wrists and hands.
Back Pain – Sitting for prolonged periods can cause strain and pressure on back muscles, a condition commonly referred to as mouse shoulder. It can also cause stiffness in the upper and lower back and compression on the spinal discs.
Neck Stiffness – Neck stiffness is a common complaint for white-collar workers. The neck remains in a stationary position due to prolonged periods of looking at a computer screen. Neck stiffness can be further aggravated by an improper monitor height.
Migraines – Staring at a computer screen for up to eight hours a day can trigger migraine headaches. Good office ergonomics and setting monitor screens at the correct height and brightness is essential to prevent headaches.
Eye Strain – Eye strain and blurry vision is often caused by staring at a computer screen for prolonged periods. Many workers experience vision problems and eye pain from constant computer work.
Filing a Workplace Injury Claim
Illinois workers' compensation laws require employers to provide injured employees with benefits, including medical/rehabilitative expenses, lost wages, and disability benefits, if the employee is unable to work from temporary or permanent injuries and disabilities due to workplace injuries. To receive benefits, a worker must notify his/her employer within 45 days and file a workers' compensation claim with an Illinois work injury lawyer.
Workers’ compensation claims must be filed within three years of the date of the accident or injury or two years from the date the injured employee last received workers’ compensation benefits, whichever is later. If an employer fails to provide workers’ compensation benefits, the injured worker can file a claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC).
