Factories, warehouses, and construction sites are all known for the dangerous conditions that put workers at risk. These job sites are typically subject to numerous rules and regulations to make them safer. However, serious injuries can also occur in an office setting that can interfere with your ability to work and enjoy life. If you have sustained a serious injury while working in an office, you may be entitled to compensation.

Common Office Accidents

1. Slip-and-fall. Many office accidents are caused by an employee tripping or slipping on a hazard. In fact, this is the most common office injury. Common risks presented in an office setting include loose electrical cords, uneven surfaces, unmarked wet floors, poor lighting and unsecured carpeting. A slip-and-fall can result in back and spine injuries, broken bones, and head trauma. Often, these accidents are preventable by raising awareness of the risks and properly marking when there is a hazard.
   
   
2. Lifting heavy objects. Office supplies, files, and cases of water need to be lifted in an office setting. Doing so can put a strain on your back muscles. Back injuries are notoriously difficult to treat and often require long-term care. Even if your back was previously injured before your workplace accident, you should be compensated for the injury exacerbation. To avoid these injuries, do not lift heavy objects, use proper form when lifting, or ask a coworker for help.
   
   
3. Falling objects. Office supplies located in hard-to-reach areas pose a danger to employees. Office workers could strain muscles in an attempt to get to supplies. Also, supplies can fall causing trauma to an employee’s body or back. Use a ladder with a spotter to avoid any accidents.
   
   
4. Ergonomic injuries. Because office workers are required to be seated at a desk in front of a computer for many hours each day, there are multiple injuries for which they may be at risk. Injuries related to posture, eye strain, and repetitive movements may become apparent over time. Employers should offer workers a variety of chairs, keyboards, and desks. Workers should also be instructed as to how to adjust these items for the most ergonomic use.

Contact a Milwaukee Personal Injury Lawyer

Slip and fall accidents happen often and in many different locations. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, there are over one million slip and fall emergency room visits each year. 

As the name suggests, these incidents occur when a person slips and falls to the ground. The cause of the accident can be a liquid on the floor or an uneven surface. The resulting injuries, for example, bone fractures or sprains, can be debilitating.

Slip and falls can happen at the supermarket, shopping centers, private residences, or government offices. While this kind of accident can happen anywhere, not everyone who suffers from these accidents may be able to prove a lawsuit. 

Each year, as many as one million people are seen in emergency rooms for a slip and fall injury. Some experience minor injuries, such as bumps and bruises, minor fractures, or mild concussions. Others may suffer from injuries so severe that it can take months to recover, if they recover at all. These injuries may include everything from a major concussion and multiple fractures to traumatic brain injuries and death. What causes so many falls each year? Understand the most common causes and how you should proceed if you experience a slip and fall because of negligence.

Dangerous Walking Areas

According to statistics from the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), more than half of all slip and fall accidents are caused by dangerous walking areas. These surfaces may be wet, cluttered, or contain loose tiles, carpeting, or floorboards. This could also include potholes in a parking lot, defective or damaged sidewalks, or damaged or poorly constructed stairways. When these defects are contained with the injured person’s home, there is no external fault or negligence. However, conditions like these in a place of business, at someone else’s home, or in a public area could make the owner of that property liable in a premises liability lawsuit.

According to the National Safety Council, approximately 2.5 million people are treated in emergency departments for slips and falls each year. Some of those falls happen at home, some happen at work, and still others occur at business establishments in premises liability accidents. A new study suggests that practicing yoga on a regular basis could reduce your risk for them all.

The Relationship Between Falls and Balance

As the human body ages, balance begins to fade. As such, those who are older are at greater risk for falls than those who are younger. However, one study concluded that everyone – even young people – experience frequent slips and falls. Conducted on college students, the study counted 1,446 total trips and slips and 82 falls over the course of 16 weeks. And so, the final consensus is that every person, young and old, could benefit from improved balance to help them prevent slips, trips, and falls.

Each year, 15 to 20 children under age 11 die of injuries sustained after falling from a window. Another 15,000 suffer non-fatal injuries that may include brain damage, broken bones, and paralysis. Apartment windows are especially dangerous because of their height. If you live in an apartment building and have children, know what you can do to keep them safe and what you should do, if a fall does happen.  

Know the Risks

According to statistics, children fall from the windows in apartment buildings at five times the rate of children living in other types of homes. Those that live in lower income neighborhoods, where windows may suffer from poor construction or condition, are at an even higher risk because these windows are not always up to code. Homes and apartment buildings without air conditioning also carry a higher risk since the window may be left open to allow for airflow. If you and your child live in any of these areas, be aware of the increased risk and take extra precautions to keep your child safe.