Even “Non-Dangerous” Jobs Have Injury Risks

When you bring up the idea of on-the-job injuries, people often talk about the most dangerous careers. They may mention how construction sees the highest number of fatal incidents per year, for instance, or how they heard that deep-sea fishing was the most dangerous profession, per capita.

These are fine points to make, but they create an inaccurate expectation, which is that only some jobs come with risks and that others do not. That’s simply not true. Even jobs that feel incredibly safe can lead to injuries and come with major risks.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

One example is when you suffer from repetitive motion injuries. Say you work in an office, typing on a computer. You feel safe and you never expect to get injured. But you could definitely develop carpal tunnel syndrome or some other issue related to typing or doing the same motions over and over again. This long-term strain can lead to permanent injuries and pain, even though you do not have one single event that causes the injury.

Slip-And-Fall Injuries

Another thing to consider is that almost anyone can suffer from a slip-and-fall injury. Maybe that “safe” office that you work in is on the second floor. You go up and down the stairs hundreds or thousands of times without issue. Then, one day, someone spills water on the floor and neglects to clean it up. You slip, fall down the stairs and badly injure your back. You can safely climb or descend those stairs every day for a decade; all it takes is one day where things go poorly for you to get injured.

Your Rights

No matter what industry you work in or how you get injured, you need to know what rights you have. You may deserve workers’ compensation, which can cover things like lost wages and medical bills. If your injury happened at work and your job played a role, it’s time to dig into your options.